The Experiences of Female Partners of Patients with Erectile Dysfunction Due to Prostate Cancer Treatment in China: A Qualitative Exploration

Background Because of sociocultural factors, Chinese female partners of patients with prostate cancer (PC) may have perspectives and needs that differ from the more published reports of female partners living in Western cultures. Objectives The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of female partners of patients with PC experiencing erectile dysfunction in China. Interventions/Methods In this interpretive descriptive design, qualitative data were collected from semistructured telephone interviews with purposively sampled participants from the urology outpatient unit in a hospital in South China. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparison approach. Results Three themes emerged from the analysis of the participants' narratives: (a) acceptance of ceasing sex; (b) preserving intimacy through caregiving; and (c) the need for sexual health-related information. Conclusion Participants in this study reported that their own sexuality and intimacy were affected by their partner's erectile dysfunction, but they adjusted to sexuality and intimacy changes through their caregiving of their husbands owing to Chinese traditional perspectives on women's obligations. They also reported having unmet informational needs in improving sexual well-being for the sake of their partners, lending further support to the likely benefit of couple-based educational interventions addressing sexual wellness in dyads affected by PC and erectile dysfunction. Implications for Practice The present study findings highlighted the need for more research attention to the support of Chinese female partners of patients with PC regarding sexual and intimate topics.