Vaginal Dilator and Pelvic Floor Exercises for Vaginal Stenosis, Sexual Health and Quality of Life among Cervical Cancer Patients Treated with Radiation: Clinical Report
Paulina Araya-Castro, Cinara Sacomori, Paulette Diaz-Guerrero, Patricio Gayán, Devora Román, Fabiana Flores Sperandio
Abstract
This clinical report aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of vaginal dilator (VD) and pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) on vaginal stenosis, sexual health and quality of life among women undergoing radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer; PFME were instructed prior to radiotherapy with six-month follow-up. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed for the 28 women. At four-months after radiotherapy, most of the women (90.9%) maintained/increased one size of the VD and were sexually active (81.8%). Adherence to VD was high. Regarding quality of life, there was more limitation in emotional functioning. VD and PFME were effective at preventing stenosis.