Experiences in Sexual Health Among Women After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Sara Astarita, RN, BSN; Linda Caruso, RN, BSN; Anne Marie Barron, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC; and Patricia Rissmiller, DNSc, RN, PNP-BC
ONF
10.1188/16.ONF.754-759
Description
Purpose/Objectives: To explore the experiences in sexual health among women after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Research Approach: A qualitative phenomenologic approach was used to explore sexual health after HSCT.
Setting: The leukemia and bone marrow transplantation outpatient clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Participants: This study included five women aged 18 years or older with a prior diagnosis of leukemia or lymphoma requiring HSCT who were at least three months post-HSCT and were sexually active prior to HSCT. Participants did not experience menopause pre-HSCT and did not show signs of relapsed disease or vaginal graft-versus-host disease.