These summaries of selected research projects give you a glimpse into what our Kinsey Institute researchers are working on today. You can find more information on these projects, and information on all our ongoing research on our Current Research page >>

Affected by cancer or diseases of the blood, many people undergo treatment and show the promise of long-term survival. One often-overlooked result of treatment is its effect on sexuality.

In a prospective study examining the effects of specialized cancer treatment, researchers at U. of Washington and the Kinsey Institute found that women are likely to report continuing problems with sexual functioning after 5 years of specialized cancer treatment (HCT, or hematopoietic cell transplantation). Men also report sexual problems, but are more likely to return to pre-treatment sexual activity and functioning over time. This long-term study, the first of its kind, indicates that sexual function and activity diminishes for the recipients of a type of stem cell transplant used for the treatment of diseases of the blood, bone marrow, or certain types of cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma.

Participants ranged in age from 22-64 years (with an average age of 41), and included a nearly even mix of men and women. Patients were followed irrespective of sexual orientation or partner status. The five-year overall completion rate for relapse-free survivors (92 of of 161 participants) was 84%. HCT recipients completed an assessment of their sexual health before the transplant, and responded again six-months later, as well as after one, two, three, and five years.

At five years, patient assessments were compared against a control group consisting of siblings, friends, or community members within five years of the participant’s age and of the same gender, ethnicity, race, and educational background.

Results show that women are less likely to regain sexual function. At the six-month mark, both sexes reported decreased sexual activity, but by one year, sexual activity for the majority of the men (74 percent) had recovered to levels seen at the beginning of the study.

Syrjala, K.L., Kurland, B.F., Abrams, J.R., Sanders, J.E., and Heiman, J. (2008). Sexual function changes during the 5 years after high-dose treatment and hematopoietic cell transplantation for malignancy, with and hematopoietic cell transplantation for malignancy, with case-matched controls at 5 years. Blood, 111 (3), 989-996.

See also:

Hysterectomy and Sexual Functioning >>

Cancer Survivors and Sexual Problems and Interventions >>

Mindfulness in Sex Therapy >>