Impact of Treatment Induced Premature Menopause on Quality of Life Following Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Findings. An analysis of 33 women, pre-HCT reveals that all are experiencing symptoms of menopause. The mean number of menopausal symptoms is 17 +/- 6 with a range of 6 to 28. Findings indicate that all phases of the sexual response cycle are altered. In the entire sample, 76% report decreased libido and 46% are dissatisfied with their overall sex life. The 19 sexually active women reported problems with arousal (37%), lubrication (32%), pain (21%), and orgasm (42%). There are statistically significant correlations between symptoms of menopause, altered sexual health and QOL. In a subset analysis of 20 couples prior to HCT, findings indicate that both members of the dyad are experiencing stress. On two domains (extended family relationships and social environment), the spouses/partners are experiencing more distress than the transplant candidates. The mean QOL score of the transplant candidates is 67 +/- 30 and the mean QOL score for the spouses/partners is 73 +/- 23. These QOL scores were not significantly different.