Cancer and Sexual Side Effects in Women

About a week ago I covered the sexual side effects of cancer on men, now it's time to do the same for women. To start off, side effects will probably be the last thing on your mind during this time, considering the connotation of contracting cancer. You will probably be thinking more of the treatment you have to go through, the surgery, the lack of energy from the treatments, and so on that sex will just seem superfluous. However, this is another part of your body that can easily get affected by the process of having cancer.

While all cancers can potentially make sexual activity more difficult, there are a few that have heightened risks and they include: bladder, breast, cervical, colon, ovarian, rectal, uterine, and vaginal. While it may not even be the cancer itself, again the process of going through treatment carries heavy emotions (anxiety, worry, depression, all known to decrease sexual interest), and the same emotions knowing that you have cancer and that this is going to change your life forever.

Common effects during this time, from cancer and the treatments, include: difficulty reaching a climax, reduced energy and desire, pain during penetration, vaginal size decreasing, and vaginal dryness.

During all this, the doctor treating you can give you an idea of what effects you are most likely to encounter. Unfortunately, all stages and types of treatment cause effects. Chemotherapy creates such a powerful fatigue that you won't be able to initiate sex with your partner, surgery (especially on ovaries, if they need to be removed that will send you into an immediate and permanent menopause. Menopause is also known for sexual side effects, such as vaginal atrophy and dryness) reduces your interest in sex, and there are hormone blocking drugs that help certain cancers, but must be taken for five years. Most of that time there will be an array of the sexual side effects above.

My suggestion, if you do encounter these problems, reach out to a support group of cancer survivors. They can tell you what they did to help ease these problems, and can possibly give you some helpful tips to return to a normal life in this regard, and others.

Remember, have no shame when discussing this topic. They have all gone through the same, and know how hard it was. The last thing they will do is laugh at you. Also talk to your doctor, and they may be able to prescribe something to ease symptoms.

Information on sexual side effects found from: http://mayoclinic.com/health/cancer-treatment/SA00071/NSECTIONGROUP=2