A Preliminary Investigation into the Use of Cannabis Suppositories and Online Mindful Compassion for Improving Sexual Function Among Women Following Gynaecological Cancer Treatment

<i>Background and Objectives:</i> The impact of gynaecological cancer and its treatments on sexual intimacy can be profound on female sexuality. However, very few registered clinical trials have addressed sexual intimacy among this cohort. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> This preliminary randomised control trial (RCT) and content analysis assessed the effectiveness of a brief online mindful compassion group intervention adjunct with cannabis suppositories. Eighty-three participants aged between 18 and 50+ years who were at least six months post-cancer treatment were randomly allocated to one of four groups, depending on whether they were already using cannabis suppositories. These included a cannabis-only group (CO), a mindful-compassion group (MC), a combined mindful-compassion and cannabis suppositories group (COCM) and a care-as-usual group (CAU). Measurements of sexual function, sexual self-efficacy, mindful compassion, well-being and quality of life were taken at weeks 0, 4 and 12. <i>Results:</i> Sexual function, including arousal, lubrication and orgasms, improved for both the MC <i>p</i> = 0.002 and COCM <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001 groups; in addition, sexual pain was reduced in the COCM <i>p</i> = 0.008 and CO <i>p</i> ≤ 0.001 groups compared to the CAU and MC groups, where <i>p</i> ≥ 0.05. Feedback suggested that cannabis mediated the effects of mindful compassion and supported well-being, sexual self-efficacy, and quality of life. Participants also voiced a preference for cannabis suppositories when using dilators as part of their treatment and the use of sex toys instead of dilators, suggesting that dilators had negatively impacted their sexuality. <i>Conclusions:</i> These preliminary and exploratory outcomes look promising and provide a foundation for future research to develop varied healthcare options to improve mental health service delivery and quality of life for this cohort.