Case report: psychosexual conjoint therapy of a woman with thyroid cancer, sexual problems and partnership dissatisfaction

• Published in: Journal of sexual medicine Vol. 19; no. 11; p. S112
• Main Authors: Simetinger, Gabrijela, Otorepec, Irena Rahne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.11.2022
• ISSN: 1743-6095; 1743-6109
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.10.099

The purpose of the case report is to show the process of conjoint (psychiatrist, gynecologist) psychosexual therapy of a woman with thyroid cancer, low sexual desire and sexual pain. A thirty-four year old woman came to a psychosexual therapy session because she had complex sexual problems. Her sex history was taken using the bio-psycho-socio anamnesis. She had thyroid lobectomy because of thyroid cancer. One year later positive thyroid nodule was found again. The doctors decided not to operate it, so she tried alternative therapies. She had frequent colpitis and she was HPV positive. She gave birth three years ago. She had several psychosomatic problems, complained about low sexual desire and sexual pain. She had a low quality of life. She is unemployed and takes care of the family and younger sister, who suffers from severe psychosis. She does not have a social life. Her husband is painfully jealous and wants another child. He wants regular penetrative sex to prove his virility/masculinity. She has a negative sexual self-image. She never explored her body or genitals, she does not feel feminine and lets herself be treated this way because of financial dependency. She never masturbated, lacks sexual desire and experiences pain during intercourse. She was in individual psychosexual therapy for two years. After psychoeducation (anatomy, physiology, how to use a vibrator) she let herself fantasize and started to masturbate. We included mindfulness and bibliotherapy. The therapy helped her recognize her erotic potential and sexual needs. She regained sexual desire. Pain during sexual intercourse disappeared. Psychosexual therapy was successful. The symptoms of her problem disappeared. She also realized that her partner should attend the sex therapy because their sexual life is unsatisfactory, however he rejected the idea. No conflict of interest