Sexual changes are not uncommon during chemotherapy.
What can happen?
Because chemo can damage ovaries, women may experience changes in hormone levels leading to menopause-like symptoms, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness or itching, irregular or no menstrual periods as well as bladder or vaginal infections.
- Dress in layers that you can remove during a hot flash.
- Be active and exercise as much as possible.
- Avoid wearing tight pants.
- Wear cotton underwear or underwear with a cotton lining.
- Use a water-based vaginal lubricant during sexual intercourse.
Birth control
This is essential for men and women who are undergoing chemo. That’s because the chemo drugs go directly from the mother to the fetus or from the father’s sperm to the egg during intercourse. Exposure to chemo can be very harmful for a developing fetus, especially during the first trimester. If your partner does become pregnant while you’re undergoing chemo, you should continue to use condoms.
Infertility
This is a possible side effect, whether you are a man or a woman. This is because chemo can damage the ovaries, leading to fewer healthy eggs and it can cause sperm to be less potent. These effects can be permanent. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting chemo, if you plan to have children. We would refer you to a reproductive specialist who will recommend options such as sperm banking or egg freezing.
You can contact California Cryobank to discuss sperm banking at: www.cryobank.com or 650.324.1900
Sex is one way to express your love. Here are some others:
- Watch the sun rise or sunset together.
- Give each other a massage.
- Look deeply into each other’s eyes.
- Reminisce about the “firsts” in your relationship
- Read aloud to each other
- Fall asleep in each other’s arms
- Take your partner’s “to do” list and do it for them
- Tell your partner why they’re beautiful.
- Thank your partner for something they’ve done.
- Share your hopes and fears.
Published April 2018
Stanford Health Care © 2018