Managing Changes in Reproduction and Sexuality From Chemotherapy
Not all chemotherapy treatment will result in side effects related to reproductive ability or sexuality, but some may.
It is perfectly natural for people who have been diagnosed with cancer to be concerned about the effect of their illness on their sexuality. Especially right after the diagnosis, you may temporarily lose interest in sex as you focus on understanding your cancer and the treatments available.1 During or after treatment, you may have difficulty accepting the way your body looks or functions and may have fears about your partner's acceptance of the changes.2
Possible Chemotherapy-Related Side Effects
Changes in your reproductive abilities or sexuality due to cancer treatment may include:1,2
- Gynecomastia (formation of breast tissue in men)
- Impotence (inability to achieve or sustain an erection)
- Sterility
- Reduced sexual desire
- Infertility
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Menopause and related symptoms
- Vaginal dryness
Some of these side effects will resolve after treatment is completed; others may be more long-term.
Managing Sexual Dysfunction
Coping with sexual dysfunction is very difficult. Maintaining open communication with your doctor and your partner, as well as taking steps to improve your self-esteem, may help.
Communicate
One of the most common problems regarding cancer and sexuality is people's reluctance to talk about it with their sexual partner and their healthcare team. However, communication is the key to coping with this difficult topic.2 Cancer care specialists are accustomed to addressing these sensitive issues every day.
Perhaps more importantly, sharing your thoughts, feelings, and any fears you may have regarding sexual dysfunction with your partner is essential to maintaining an intimate relationship with that person.
Through open communication, you and your partner can work toward finding other ways to express yourselves beyond intercourse, such as gentle touching, holding hands, kissing, hugging, and sharing emotional closeness.3
Support a Positive Self-Image
Concerns about the impact of cancer and treatment on sexuality are often closely linked to issues of self-esteem and body image.2
Cancer treatment often involves surgery; surgery can leave scars and cause physical or neurologic damage. Radiation treatment and chemotherapy can produce side effects such as hair loss and extreme fatigue. These effects and others can strongly influence how a person with cancer feels about his or her body and sexuality.2
To support a positive self-image, follow these suggestions that have helped many people with cancer:4
- It sounds simple, but looking better may actually help you feel better. Try to maintain the same grooming habits—fashion, hairstyle, and so on—as you did before your diagnosis.
- Plan special activities for both the days when you're feeling
well and those when you aren't. Acknowledge that cancer and
treatment can cause shifts in mood.
- Enjoy the days when you're feeling well. On those days that
are difficult, keep a positive outlook—plan all you'd
like to do as soon as you feel better.
- If you need help with
clothes and hair and other aspects of your appearance, don't
hesitate to ask for it. The "Look Good...Feel Better" program of the American Cancer Society (ACS), for example, can help.
- The ACS publications "Sexuality for Women and Their Partners" and "Sexuality for Men and Their Partners" may
also be helpful to you.
Managing Reproductive Issues
If you think you may want to have children after treatment,
and the cancer treatment is likely to cause sterility,
you may wish to bank eggs or sperm. However, you must
do this before you receive your treatment.1
Talk to your doctor about your wish to have children
in advance so that you can take steps to ensure that you
have this choice later.3
If you become pregnant before, during, or after cancer treatment, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are a male and your partner becomes pregnant, tell your doctor. Some cancer medications can have affects on the unborn child.
Treating Reproductive and Sexual Problems
There are several drug treatments for men with symptoms of low testosterone or erectile dysfunction.
There are also medications available to help women deal
with the symptoms of menopause.5
Make sure to tell your doctor what symptoms you are experiencing
so that proper steps can be taken to find some relief.
Learn more about how you can best manage other types of chemotherapy side effects.
1. What are the possible side effects of chemotherapy? American Cancer Society website. Updated June 17, 2009. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_1_4X_What_Are
_The_Side_Effects_of_Chemotherapy.asp?sitearea=ETO. Accessed June 4, 2010.
2. Keeping your sex life going. American Cancer Society website. Updated November 10, 2008. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_7_2X_Keeping
_Your_Sex_Life_GoinG.asp. Accessed June 4, 2010.
3. Chemotherapy and you. National Cancer Institute. Updated May 2007. NIH Publication No. 07—7156. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy—and—you.pdf. Accessed June 4, 2010.
4. Grooming and appearance. American Cancer Society website. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_7_2X_Grooming_and_Appearance.asp. Updated June 4, 2010.
5. Sexuality and reproductive issues (PDQ®)—Treatment of sexual problems in people with cancer. National Cancer Institute website. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/sexuality. Accessed June 4, 2010.
Understanding Cancer –
Chemotherapy Side Effects –
Treating Cancer in Other Ways
Tracking Your Test Results –
Understanding Insurance and Tax Issues
Chemotherapy Resources and Organizations –
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