In August 2017, the European Journal of Cancer Care published a comprehensive review by Canadian researchers who included more than 100 medical studies on women, cancer and sexual health. The authors have fallen into the natural and psychological aspects of cancer that can affect sexuality. They have also discussed some of the ways in which patients and their health care group may approach sexual problems during and after cancer treatment.
Their review included studies on a variety of different cancers, including gynecological cancers (such as ovarian or cervical cancer), breast cancer and cancers affecting gastrointestinal organs, blood and blood. Patients involved in the studies came from all over the world.
Today, we would like to share some of the findings from their revision.
Natural aspects
Some women begin to have cancer -related sexual problems even before they diagnose them. For example, women with gynecological cancers may have abdominal pain, severe periods or after sex bleeding.
For others, sexual issues are the result of treatments. Here are some examples:
Surgery
- Sometimes, genital nerves or blood vessels have been damaged during surgery, which can reduce the feeling or make the blood difficult to travel to the area when a woman is caused.
- If a woman has been removed her ovaries (ovarrectomy), her body produces less estrogen, a basic hormone for vaginal health. This can leave the vagina fragile and dry.
- Women undergoing mastectomy may feel aware of the loss of one or both breasts and surgical scars.
Hormone therapy
- Medicines that interfere with estrogen production can cause vaginal changes, leading to dryness and loss of elasticity.
- Hormone therapy can also reduce sexual desire.
Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy often causes premature menopause and estrogen levels are reduced.
- Fatigue and gastrointestinal problems from chemotherapy can leave women too tired or sick for sex.
- Hair loss and weight gain associated with chemotherapy can affect a woman’s body image.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT)
- Women undergoing this treatment may develop a transplant-retrost disease (GVHD). In genitals, GVHD can lead to vaginal dryness, narrowness, scars and pain.
Radiotherapy
- Radiation is associated with fatigue, vaginal reduction, incontinence, loss of genitals and scars.
Emotional aspects
The natural side effects of cancer and treatment are interrelated with emotional, which can be equally annoying.
- Bad image of the body. As mentioned above, hair loss, weight gain, scars and other physical changes make many women feel less feminine or less attractive to a partner.
- Shame and embarrassment. Women may not want a partner to see their changed bodies. Incontinence episodes can cause stress.
- Guilt. Some women are worried that they cannot please their partner sexually.
- Affliction. It is not uncommon for women to mourn the loss of sexual relationship they once had with their partner.
- Worry. Women may worry that their partner will end their relationship or go elsewhere for sexual satisfaction.
- Avoidance. Some women completely avoid sexual relationships, especially single women who are afraid of rejection by associates after revealing their cancer diagnosis.
Hope
All of these results may sound overwhelming. The good news is that there is hope. The authors of the study reported a series of treatments that can help with the sexual effects of cancer and treatment:
- Counseling. Therapists can help women to cope with the anxiety and depression that are often associated with the diagnosis of cancer. They can help couples enhance their relationship through better communication. And sexual therapists can provide guidance on the adjustments they need to make in the bedroom that can improve intimacy for both partners.
- Yoga and attention. Exercising yoga and awareness activities can reduce stress, encourage relaxation and cause a central feeling.
- Vaginal moisturizing and lubricants. These over-the-counter products can relieve vaginal discomfort and dryness, making the intercourse more comfortable.
- Estrogen -based treatments. As noted above, estrogen is essential for vaginal health. Estrogen treatment is not suitable for all women with cancer, but for some, it can minimize the vaginal effects of medical menopause if applied locally.
- Vaginal dilators. In cases where the vagina is shortened or narrowed, dilators can help maintain the original vaginal shape.
- Pelvic soil physiotherapy. The pelvic floor muscles act as a “hammock” that holds the pelvic organs firmly. Strengthening these muscles through physiotherapy can reduce the chance of incontinence.
Keep in mind that women experience sexuality in different ways. The degree to which cancer and its treatment affect a woman’s sex life depends on the woman herself, her perspectives, her relationships, her support network and her oncology group. But overall, there is hope. Cancer women should know that they can still enjoy intimacy.
Resources
European Journal of Cancer Care
Sears, Carly S., et al.
“A comprehensive review of sexual health concerns after cancer treatment and bio -psychosocial therapeutic options available in female patients”
(Full text. Published online: August 10, 2017)
