The Impact of Bone Marrow Transplantation on Sexual Functioning and it’s Relation to Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

Aims:

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of sexual dysfunctions and its relationship with depression and anxiety in a sample of patients underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 135 married patients who underwent BMT at least 1 year before evaluation. Sexual dysfunctions assessed by a questionnaire that was derived from Sexual History Form and Sexual Problem Measure. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess depression and anxiety in patients.

Results:

Questionnaires were completed by 128 (82.5%) participant. Fifty three percents of participants was male. The mean age of participants was 39.57±8.74. Sexual dysfunctions in post BMT period were significantly more frequent than period prior to the beginning of oncologic malignancy (P< 0.05). Sexual activity was decreased significantly after BMT (P< 0.01). The three most prevalent sexual dysfunctions in male group were premature ejaculation(56%) and problem in orgasm(40%) and desire(32.7%), and in female group were problem in arousal(77%) and desire(77%) and painful intercourse(77%). Sexual dysfunction was more prevalent in female group.

According to HADS score, 42(32.8%) patients had clinical depression (HADS-D score>14) and 12 (9.8%) patients had clinical anxiety (HADS-A score>14). There was not any significant relationship between mean HADS-A and HADS-D scores and scores of sexual dysfunctions questionnaires.

Conclusion:

This study showed that sexual function and activity may be adversely affected by BMT. Factors other than anxiety and depression may have correlation with sexual dysfunction in these patients, of course limitation of this study should be considered.