Table 3 Factor loading matrix for patterns identified in the SVQ questionnaire

3. Have you had any interest in sexual relations?

.881

−.094

.237

−.040

−.057

−.066

16. Have you reached orgasm?

.798

−.302

.083

−.283

−.030

.055

9. How satisfied or dissatisfied have you been with your sex life/lack of sex life

.764

−.181

.196

−.110

−.102

.482

17. Did you feel relaxed after having sex?

.757

−.181

.053

−.191

−.140

.198

5. Has your partner wanted to have sexual relations?

.754

−.106

.005

−.117

−.026

.009

6. Have you had sexual relations?

.738

−.205

.068

−.042

−.007

.164

1. Have you been interested in close physical contact (a kiss and a cuddle)?

.735

−.240

.405

.110

−.044

−.138

10. How satisfied or dissatisfied have you been with your appearance?

.718

−.178

.192

−.166

−.062

.503

15. Were you able to complete sexual intercourse?

.706

−.264

.226

.039

−.047

−.119

2. Have you had close physical contact with your family and close friends?

.675

−.056

.312

.165

−.055

.022

7. Did your partner have difficulty achieving an erection?

−.532

.373

−.086

.005

−.026

.251

11a. If yes, has it bothered you?

−.317

.851

−.046

.183

.188

−.069

12a. If yes, has it bothered you?

−.263

.847

.003

.275

.159

−.084

11. Did you feel that your vagina was dry during intercourse?

−.388

.794

−.015

.258

.192

−.044

12. Have you had any pain during intercourse?

−.385

.724

.024

.362

.229

−.055

18. Has your interest in close physical contact changed since you were diagnosed with cancer?

.097

.026

.961

.016

.098

.008

19. How much close physical contact do you have with your family and close friends compared to before you were diagnosed with cancer?

.115

.021

.915

.080

.096

−.014

20. Has your interest in sexual relations changed since you were diagnosed with cancer?

.286

.078

.766

−.077

.063

.008

21. Has your partner’s interest in sexual relations changed since you were diagnosed with cancer?

.292

−.009

.552

−.333

−.061

.082

23. Do you feel that the size of your vagina has changed since you were diagnosed with cancer

.053

−.117

.024

−.775

−.083

.065

24. Has the pain you experience during intercourse changed since you were diagnosed with cancer?

−.039

.182

−.053

.713

.130

−.225

22. Has the dryness of your vagina changed compared to before you were diagnosed with cancer?

.082

.276

−.263

.606

.158

−.057

14. Did you feel that intercourse was bothersome because your vagina felt too small?

−.226

.368

.099

.590

.219

−.007

13. Have you experienced bleeding during intercourse?

−.125

.233

.106

.250

.914

−.133

13a. If yes, has it bothered you?

−.062

.327

.053

.252

.750

−.163

8. Has your sex life/lack of sex life made you worry?

−.039

.045

−.038

.228

.201

−.487