Sex and cancer diagnosis

Many patients of mine have told me that their cancer diagnosis turned their sexual interest down significantly.  It is very understandable for a sexually active couple to stop after seeing their gyn oncologists since their energy is focused on this new challenging diagnosis.   Furthermore, chemotherapy and surgery just wear you out to even thinking about this issue.

However, as time passes, there are physical changes that may affect your sexual health in the long term.  You may hear me saying that if you don't use it you lose it.   Similarly, vagina is like any other organs.  If you don't use it, especially when you become menopause due to surgery/radiation, your vagina tissue becomes less elastic and its diameter will narrow.  Sex may cause more pain and discomfort than before.  Do talk to your doctor about this and don't be embarrassed since many patients have similar questions that you do.  One of my patients, Michelle Witlock,  is very knowledgable and open about her experience going thru the extensive cancer treatment and how it affected her sexual life.  She gave me permission to share her website with you.  Do consider visiting her sites for informative stories: 

http://www.tamikaandfriends.org/get-support/ask-our-experts/sex-after-cancer

http://www.michelleleewhitlock.com/index.php