By Jimmy Downs

Friday Dec 7, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) -- Female breast cancer patients are more likely than women in the general population to experience various sexual dysfunctions, according to a new study in Support Care Cancer.

H. Kedde at Rutgers WPF in Utrecht, Netherlands and colleagues conducted the study and found that among breast cancer patients who were undergoing treatment, 64% suffered a sexual dysfunction. The rate was reduced to 45% after the treatment was completed.

In the study, breast cancer patients aged 45 years of age or younger  were compared with women in the general Dutch population for the rate of sexual dysfunction.

The researchers found early menopause and hormone therapy associated with long term genital arousal disorder.  Radical mastectomy caused female orgasmic disorder and early menopause dyspareunia.

The majority of women with a sexual  dysfunction who felt they needed medical attention did not talk to a health professional about their conditions.

The researchers concluded "Sexual dysfunctions are highly prevalent among young women with breast cancer. This appears to improve after treatment has been completed, but women are far from recovered."