Sexual function in male cancer survivors is not correlated to sperm quality

What are the Thoughts of Women Whose Husbands' Frozen Testicular Sperm Is Thawed for in vitro Fertilization on the Day of Oocyte Retrieval? A Qualitative Study

Objective

The psychological experiences will be analyzed to understand the needs and burdens of women on the day of oocyte retrieval when the thawed testicular sperm of their husbands is used for in vitro fertilization, in order to provide a basis for the subsequent formulation of relevant nursing measures.

Methods

This study utilized a descriptive phenomenological research approach. A cohort of 13 women undergoing oocyte retrieval on the day when thawed testicular sperm from their husbands is used for in vitro fertilization at the Reproductive Medicine Center of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, between August and October 2024, were chosen as participants for this study. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted to gather qualitative data. The Colaizzi 7-step analysis method was subsequently utilized to analyze the interview transcripts and identify emerging themes.

Results

The analysis yielded 3 themes: (1) facing challenges and requiring assistance (a. demonstrate a strong desire to acquire professional knowledge; b. demonstrate a strong desire for recognition); (2) overwhelming psychological stress (a. concerns about potential privacy breaches; b. concerns about security issues; c. concerns about the therapeutic efficacy); (3) improving family atmosphere and marital relationships (a. communication between couples has increased.; b. shared expectations for children help couples establish a common goal).

Conclusion

It is recommended that healthcare practitioners implement strategies to enhance patient education and awareness surrounding assisted reproductive technology. Additionally, establishing and strengthening social support, reinforcing privacy protections and safety measures, promoting effective communication between partners, and managing treatment outcome expectations are crucial steps forward.

Immediate Practical Implications

Women prioritize treatment efficacy, privacy preservation, and the necessity of acquiring comprehensive professional knowledge when employing their partner's testicular sperm for in vitro fertilization. The study is instrumental in shaping policy dialogues on reproductive health, highlighting the critical significance of women's psychological health in the realm of in vitro fertilization.

Endocrine health in survivors of adult-onset cancer

Long-term survivors of cancer (ie, the patient who is considered cured or for whom the disease is under long-term control and unlikely to recur) are at an increased risk of developing endocrine complications such as hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunctions, hypogonadisms, osteoporosis, or metabolic disorders, particularly when intensive tumour-directed therapies are applied. Symptom severity associated with these conditions ranges from mild and subclinical to highly detrimental, affecting individual health and quality of life. Although they are usually manageable, many of these endocrine pathologies remain underdiagnosed and untreated for years. To address this challenge, a higher degree of awareness, standardised screening tools, comprehensible treatment algorithms, and a close collaborative effort between endocrinologists and oncologists are essential to early identify patients who are at risk, and to implement appropriate treatment protocols. This Review highlights common symptoms and conditions related to endocrine disorders among survivors of adult-onset cancer, provides a summary of the currently available practice guidelines, and proposes a practical approach to diagnose affected patients among this group.