Sexual Well-Being After CRS/HIPEC Treatment for Ovarian Cancer
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Falla-Zuniga LF, Sardi A, King MC, et al. The impact on sexual wellbeing after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for ovarian cancer treatment. Gynecologic Oncology Reports. 2026.
What was this study about?
Researchers wanted to better understand how ovarian cancer survivors feel about their sexual health after undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), an intensive treatment used for advanced ovarian cancer. Sexual health is an important part of quality of life, but it is often not discussed during cancer treatment or survivorship care.
Who participated?
The study included 33 women with stage III or IV ovarian cancer who had undergone CRS/HIPEC treatment at least three months earlier. Most participants were over age 60, and more than 80% had their surgery more than one year before completing the survey.
What did the researchers find?
Sexual health challenges were common
Every participant reported experiencing at least one issue that affected their sexual well-being after treatment. Common concerns included:
Vaginal dryness and hot flashes
Reduced sexual desire
Changes in body image
Pain during sexual activity
Emotional challenges such as anxiety or low mood
Many women reported low levels of sexual satisfaction and ongoing sexual pain. About 43% reported a change in their sexual well-being after treatment, and almost all of those women described the change as negative.
Support was limited
Only about one-third of participants said they had received any support or guidance about sexual health from healthcare providers or other sources. However, among those who did receive support, nearly three-quarters found it helpful. Women who received sexual health support reported higher levels of sexual satisfaction than those who did not.
Exercise and overall health mattered
Women who exercised regularly and those without other chronic health conditions tended to report better sexual satisfaction. This suggests that healthy lifestyle habits and management of other medical conditions may play an important role in overall well-being after ovarian cancer treatment.
What did patients say?
Many women described sexual changes as something they expected after cancer treatment and often placed a higher priority on survival and overall health. Some shared that they felt grateful to be alive despite these challenges. Others discussed:
Pain during sex
Changes in appearance and body confidence
Reduced sexual interest
The importance of supportive partners, family, friends, pets, or faith
A desire for more information and better communication from healthcare providers about sexual health concerns
One participant emphasized:
“Please listen, we know our bodies.”
Why is this study important?
This is one of the first studies focused specifically on sexual well-being among ovarian cancer survivors who received CRS/HIPEC treatment. The findings highlight that sexual health concerns are common but often go unaddressed. The study suggests that routine conversations about sexual health, access to supportive care, exercise programs, and personalized survivorship services could help improve quality of life after treatment.
Key Takeaway
Many ovarian cancer survivors experience changes in sexual health after CRS/HIPEC treatment, including pain, vaginal dryness, reduced desire, and concerns about body image. Despite these challenges, discussions about sexual health are often missing from routine cancer care. Patients may benefit from open conversations with their healthcare team, supportive resources, and survivorship programs that address both physical and emotional aspects of recovery.
