Chemotherapy - Relationship and sexuality
Written by Mystic on Monday, August 04, 2008There is no medical reason to stop having sex at any time during your chemotherapy. However, sometimes women may experience some vaginal dryness. If dryness is making sex uncomfortable, you could use KY jelly or other commercial preparations to moisten the vagina, or your doctor may be able to prescribe a cream or ointment. These changes are usually temporary and everything will return to normal as you complete your treatment.
Men may have difficulty in getting an erection during their treatment but none of the chemotherapy drugs will have any permanent effect on your sexual performance or your ability to enjoy sex.
Having treatment for cancer can alter the way people feel about themselves and their special relationships. Because of body changes some people worry that they are less sexually attractive to their partner, or they may not feel like having sex because they are too tired. We all have different ways of expressing our needs for intimacy.
Although you may not feel like sexual intercourse, there are many ways in which you and your partner can maintain closeness and warmth. Touching, cuddling, kissing and stroking can be both pleasurable and comforting and, as you begin to feel better, you can gradually resume your usual ways of lovemaking.
If you are concerned about changes in your usual lovemaking pattern, it is important that you talk about them with your partner. Even though you might not have any problems with sex, your partner may be anxious and waiting for a cue from you to show that it is alright to discuss things.
| Posted in »