95% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or good
Learn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish.
Find out more
ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Med.
Sec. Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1584141
Sexual dysfunction and quality of life in cervical and endometrial cancer patients before and after low-dose-rate brachytherapy: a cohort study
Provisionally accepted
Celia B. González Alcorta 
Adelina Alcorta Garza * Daneli Ruiz Sánchez Blanca Angélica Soto Martínez Fernando Alcorta Núñez Itzel Lidey Galaviz Reynoso Paola A. López Sierra Juan Francisco González Guerrero Oscar Vidal Gutiérrez - Autonomous University of Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
Background. Research on low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy for gynecological cancer primarily examines treatment toxicity while overlooking aspects like sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, satisfaction, and overall quality of life. We assessed sexual function and quality of life in patients with cervical and endometrial cancer before and after LDR brachytherapy, identifying factors related to sexual dysfunction and good quality of life three to six months after brachytherapy.Material and methods. We prospectively followed a cohort of patients with a histopathological diagnosis of cervical and endometrial cancer treated with LDR intracavitary brachytherapy (n = 139). The SyDSF-AP, FACT-G, PHQ-9, and PHQ-15 scales were collected using a self-administered questionnaire before and 3 to 6 months after treatment. The analysis included incidence rates and binary multiple logistic regression.Results. Sexual dysfunction was found in 14.4% of individuals, with 30% already affected at baseline. Higher education decreased the likelihood of starting or maintaining sexual dysfunction (OR, 0.10, 95% CI, 0.01-0.97). Physical well-being improved after treatment, with scores rising from 69.3 to 78.7 (p < 0.001; effect size = 0.34). Moderate-severe somatic symptoms, major depression, and sexual dysfunction reduced the likelihood of starting or maintaining a good quality of life. Conclusions. Over 10% of patients experienced sexual dysfunction, with physical well-being as the only area that improved after treatment. Research in this area enhances awareness and understanding of how healthcare providers can better support sexual and health-related well-being.
Keywords: Sexual dysfunction, Quality of Life, Low-dose-rate, Brachytherapy, Cervical and endometrial cancer
Received: 26 Feb 2025; Accepted: 04 Apr 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 González Alcorta, Alcorta Garza, Ruiz Sánchez, Soto Martínez, Alcorta Núñez, Galaviz Reynoso, López Sierra, González Guerrero and Vidal Gutiérrez. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Adelina Alcorta Garza, Autonomous University of Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.