Sexual Changes During Chemotherapy (The James)

Sexual Changes During Chemotherapy (The James)

 

What are these changes and why do they happen?

Some types of chemotherapy can cause sexual changes. These changes are different for women and men.

  • For women, chemotherapy may damage the ovaries, which can cause changes in hormone levels. Hormone changes can lead to problems like vaginal dryness and early menopause.
  • For men, chemotherapy can cause changes in hormone levels, decreased blood supply to the penis, or damage to the nerves that control the penis, all of which can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED).

Whether or not you have sexual changes during chemotherapy may depend on:

  • The type of chemotherapy you are getting
  • Your age
  • If you have had these problems before
  • Whether you have any other illnesses

Some problems, such as loss of interest in sex, are likely to improve once chemotherapy is over.

 

Changes for women may include:

  • Symptoms of menopause (for women not yet in menopause)
    • Hot flashes
    • Vaginal dryness
    • Feeling irritable
    • Irregular or no menstrual periods
  • Bladder or vaginal infections
  • Vaginal discharge or itching
  • Being too tired to have sex or not being interested in having sex
  • Feeling too worried, stressed, or depressed to have sex

 

Changes for men may include:

  • Not being able to reach climax
  • Erectile dysfunction (not being able to get or keep an erection)
  • Being too tired to have sex or not being interested in having sex
  • Feeling too worried, stressed, or depressed to have sex

 

What can I do to help manage these changes?

For Women:

  • Talk with your doctor or nurse about:
    • If it is safe for you to have oral, anal and vaginal sex while receiving chemotherapy treatments. You may need to take special  safety precautions due to some of the side effects that can happen with chemotherapy treatment.
    • Birth control. Do not get pregnant while being treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy may hurt the fetus, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy. If you have not gone through menopause, talk with your doctor or nurse about ways to keep from getting pregnant.
    •  Medicines that help with sexual problems. These include products to relieve vaginal dryness or a vaginal cream or suppository to reduce the chance of infection.
  • To prevent infection and vaginal dryness:
    • Wear cotton underwear (cotton underpants and pantyhose with cotton linings).
    •  Do not wear tight pants or shorts.
    • Use a water-based vaginal lubricant (such as K-Y Jelly or Astroglide) when you have sex.
    • If sex is still painful because of dryness, ask your doctor or nurse about medicines to help restore moisture in your vagina.

 

For Men:

  • Talk with your doctor or nurse about:
    • If it is safe for you to have oral, anal and vaginal sex while receiving chemotherapy treatments. You may need to take special safety precautions due to some of the side effects that can happen with chemotherapy treatment.
    • Ask if you should use a condom when you have sex, since traces of chemotherapy may be in your semen.
    • Birth control. It is very important that your partner not get pregnant while you are being treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can damage your sperm and cause birth defects.

 

For Men and Women:

  • Be open and honest with your partner. Talk about your feelings and concerns.
  • Explore new ways to be intimate. You and your partner may want to show your love for each other in new ways. For instance, if you are having sex less often, you may want to hug and cuddle more, bathe together, give each other massages, or try other activities that make you feel close to each other.
  • Talk with a doctor, nurse, or therapist. If you and your partner are concerned about sexual problems, you may want to talk with someone who can help. This can be a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, marriage counselor, sex therapist, or clergy member.

 

Adapted from: Chemotherapy and You, National Cancer Institute

 

 

© October 9, 2023. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.