title: A survey of fertility and sexual health following allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in New South Wales, Australia.
abstract: Four hundred and twenty-one adult allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors participated in a cross-sectional study to assess sexual dysfunction and infertility post-transplant. Survey instruments included the Sydney Post-Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Survey, Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment (FACT) - BMT, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS 21), the Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease (cGVHD) Activity Assessment- Patient Self Report (Form B), the Lee cGVHD Symptom Scale and The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory. Most HSCT survivors reported sexual difficulties (51% of males; 66% of females). Men reported erectile dysfunction (79%) and decreased libido (61·6%) and women reported loss of libido (83%), painful intercourse (73%) and less enjoyment of sex (68%). Women also commonly reported vaginal dryness (73%), vaginal narrowing (34%) and vaginal irritation (26%). Woman had much higher rates of genital cGvHD than men (22% vs. 5%). Age and cGVHD were significantly associated with sexual dysfunction. Few survivors had children following transplant (3·3%). However, for those of reproductive age at HSCT, 22% reported trying to conceive, with 10·3% reporting success. This study is the largest to date exploring sexual function in survivors of allo-HSCT. This data provides the basis for health service reform to better meet the needs of HSCT survivors, including evidence to support counselling and education both pre- and post-transplant.
authors: Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|Blood and Marrow Transplant Network, New South Wales Agency for Clinical Innovation, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Dyer
authors: Blood and Marrow Transplant Network, New South Wales Agency for Clinical Innovation, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Gilroy
authors: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Bradford
authors: Department of Haematology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Brice
authors: Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Masura
authors: M
authors: Kabir
authors: Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|Department of Haematology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|Northern Blood Research Centre, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Matt
authors: M
authors: Greenwood
authors: Institute of Haematology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Stephen R
authors: SR
authors: Larsen
authors: Department of Haematology, St Vincent Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Moore
authors: Department of Haematology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Hertzberg
authors: Department of Haematology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Kwan
authors: Department of Haematology, Newcastle Mater Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Louisa
authors: L
authors: Brown
authors: Department of Haematology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Megan
authors: M
authors: Hogg
authors: Department of Haematology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Gillian
authors: G
authors: Huang
authors: Department of Haematology, St Vincent Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Jeff
authors: J
authors: Tan
authors: Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|Department of Haematology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|Northern Blood Research Centre, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Ward
authors: Northern Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|Department of Haematology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|Northern Blood Research Centre, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Kerridge
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013074:Sperm Banks; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Australia; allogeneic HSCT; infertility; sexual dysfunction; survey; survivors