Advances in Sexual Medicine, 2014, 4, 65-70 Published Online October 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/asm http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/asm.2014.44010 How to cite this paper: Martinez, A.M., Sroga, J.M., Ressler, I.B., Ayensu-Coker, L., Thomas, M.A. and Lindheim, S.R. (2014) Sexual Satisfaction Is Reduced in the Female Patient and Sexually Intimate Partners Following Cancer Therapy. Advances in Sexual Medicine, 4, 65-70. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/asm.2014.44010 Sexual Satisfaction Is Reduced in the Female Patient and Sexually Intimate Partners Following Cancer Therapy Alan M. Martinez 1 , Julie M. Sroga 1 , Ilana B. Ressler 2 , Leslie Ayensu-Coker 3 , Michael A. Thomas 1 , Steven R. Lindheim 4 1 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA 2 New York Fertility Services, New York, USA 3 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA 4 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wright State University, Dayton, USA Email: martinezalan@hotmail.com , srogaje@ucmail.uc.edu , Iressler@nyfsb.com , thomasma@ucmail.uc.edu , doclalalindheim@yahoo.com Received 22 August 2014; revised 22 September 2014; accepted 7 October 2014 Copyright © 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Abstract As cancer survival has continued to improve, cancer patients and their sexually intimate partner (SIP) are confronted with a number of issues including sexual function and overall sexual health. Our study objective was to assess changes in sexual function in women undergoing cancer treat- ment and their SIP, and attempt to identify areas of needed support and improvement. In this questionnaire-based observational study, females (n = 11) completed a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and for SIP’s (n = 11), a Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI). Level of satisfaction prior to and within 3 months following treatment with surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation was compared. Mean pre- and post-treatment total (30.7 ± 2.7 vs. 23.2 ± 3.7, p < 0.001) and indi- vidual FSFI domains were significantly different for desire (4.2 ± 0.6 vs. 2.6 ± 0.6, p < 0.001), arousal (4.9 ± 0.4 vs. 3.5 ± 0.7, p = 0.001), lubrication (5.5 ± 0.4 vs. 4.5 ± 0.8, p = 0.006), orgasm (5.0 ± 0.6 vs. 3.8 ± 0.7, p = 0.001), satisfaction (5.3 ± 0.6 vs. 3.5 ± 0.9, p < 0.001), though no differ- ences were noted with dyspareunia. For SIP’s, BSFI domain scores for level of satisfaction were significantly lower following partner treatment of SIPs (3.5 ± 5.2 vs. 2.5 ± 5.2, p = 0.004). Overall, female sexual dysfunction was identified in 9% of patients prior to cancer treatment and 91% (n = 11, p < 0.001) following treatment. In conclusion, cancer treatment significantly affects sexual function in female cancer patients and their SIPs. While long term effects on sexual dysfunction are still unclear, short-term health care strategies including treatment, counseling, and appropri- ate referral for cancer patients and their SIPs should not be overlooked.