‘Finally, I get to a climax’: the experiences of sexual relationships after a psychosexual intervention for Indonesian cervical cancer survivors and the husbands

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of sexual relationship after a nurse-led psychosexual intervention for Indonesian cervical cancer survivors and their husbands.

Design: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted.

Participants and methods: Sixteen cervical cancer survivors and their husbands who had participated in the nurse-led psychosocial intervention were invited for semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings: Four themes were identified: (1) lessening suffering; (2) supporting each other to regain sexual life (2a) finding reasons to do or undo sexual intercourse, (2 b) “How can I bring back my wife’s sexual desire?,” (2c) “Finally, I get to a climax;” (3) getting more intimate and caring about each other, and (4) “Now I’m getting more confident.” Cervical cancer survivors and their husbands experienced overall positive outcomes in their sexual and intimate relationship after a psychosexual intervention.

Conclusions: The psychosexual intervention helped the survivors and their husbands adapt and manage sexual dysfunction following cancer treatment. Nurses and other healthcare professionals should initiate psychosexual care by assessing the concerns and needs of women diagnosed with cervical cancer, as an integral part of their care plan.

Keywords:

• Cervical cancer
• couples
• qualitative
• sexuality
• survivorship

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Directorate of Higher Education, Ministry of National Education, Republic of Indonesia.