Women’s constructions of heterosex and sexual embodiment after cancer

Abstract

The significant impact of cancer on women's sexual well-being has been acknowledged increasingly within research. However, the role of cultural discourse in shaping women's construction and embodied experience of sexuality has received less attention. In this study, we examined heterosexual women's constructions of sexual embodiment in the context of cancer. Sixteen women across a range of ages (20-71 years), cancer types and stages took part in in-depth semi-structured interviews. A thematic decomposition analysis was conducted on the interview transcripts, drawing on feminist poststructuralist theory. A main theme was identified in which the women took up subject positions of ''Embodying sexuality'' and ''Embodying the absence of sexuality''. Accounts of ''Embodying sexuality'' included ''Experiencing bodily ease during sex'' and ''Managing a dysfunctional body during sex''. The women's positioning of ''Embodying the absence of sexuality'' included ''Asexuality and the absence of desire'' and ''Unsuccessful attempts to renegotiate sex''. Women's intrapsychic negotiation of sexual and gendered discourse, the materiality of embodied change and relationship context influenced their constructions of sexual subjectivity. These findings indicate a need for researchers and clinicians to acknowledge cultural discourses of sex and gender that shape the possibilities and constraints for women's sexual well-being after cancer.

The impact of cancer‐related fertility concerns on current and future couple relationships: People with cancer and partner perspectives

“…This includes changes to the meaning of sex when natural conception is unlikely, feelings of pressure associated with efforts to conceive, and the need to have sex at a scheduled time, which can impact negatively on sexual desire, arousal and couple sexual enjoyment (Zhuoran et al, 2017). While all couples facing infertility may experience psychosexual changes, participants in this study described additional couple distress due to changes in sexual function associated with cancer treatment, as has previously been reported (Parton et al, 2017). Feelings of inadequacy associated with not being able to ‘provide’ a child within a couple relationship may also have an impact on psychosexual well‐being, as reported previously (Lehmann et al, 2018).…”

Mental Health among Women after Mastectomy: The Role of Counselling

“…According to the interpretations of the participants, mastectomy is initially accepted as a necessary operation that saves their life. However, physical changes create a sense of difference, due to the loss of health on the one hand and the loss of femininity on the other [15,16]. Analytically, it appeared that the sense of diversity is influenced by its values and norms modern society and from the way of behavior adopted by the partner, as well and the family and social environment.…”

“It’s not sexy” and “I can’t control it”: Young women's constructions of heterosex with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

“…Research has suggested that women who experience pain and physical discomfort during sex can construct themselves as being inadequate women as they are not able to comfortably participate in this social practice (Ussher et al, 2013). This is evident in research on chronic illnesses where women's bodies have changed due to their illness and treatment, such as pain and reduced sexual desire or sensation in genital areas (Parton et al, 2016(Parton et al, , 2017Ussher et al, 2013). Women report continuing to practice coitus even when they experience pain (Ayling & Ussher, 2007;McPhillips et al, 2001;Parton et al, 2017).…”

“…This is evident in research on chronic illnesses where women's bodies have changed due to their illness and treatment, such as pain and reduced sexual desire or sensation in genital areas (Parton et al, 2016(Parton et al, , 2017Ussher et al, 2013). Women report continuing to practice coitus even when they experience pain (Ayling & Ussher, 2007;McPhillips et al, 2001;Parton et al, 2017).…”

“…While there is currently no research that considers how women with IBD negotiate the coital imperative, there is some relevant cancer research that works to understand how individuals navigate the coital imperative in heterosex. Research by Parton et al (2017), found that cancer can have a significant impact on women's ability to uphold the coital imperative. Not being able to perform sex, due to bodily limitations caused by cancer and treatments, was seen as a failure by many women to uphold their sexual role in a heterosexual relationship (Parton et al, 2017).…”