Sex and Cancer Treatment: Support and Advice

How Cancer and Its Treatment Can Affect Your Sex Life

This information is for you whether or not you are in a relationship or having sex. We hope you find it helpful whatever your sexual orientation or gender. The booklet explains:

• how your sex life may be affected by cancer and its treatment

• how to get support and treatment that can help.

The booklet is split into sections to help you find what you need. We cannot give advice about your situation. You should talk to your doctor, who knows your medical history.

We also have more booklets you might find useful (see page 38). These include:

• How are you feeling? The emotional effects of cancer

• Cancer and relationships – Support for partners, families and friends

• Sex and relationships – Support for young people affected by cancer

This section is about getting support if you have questions about sex before, during or after cancer treatment. There is information about the different types of support that may be available.

We have included tips for how to start a conversation about sex and how to ask for advice.

We know how difficult it can be to talk about sex and relationships.

We also know that it is an important part of life for many people.

You do not have to be in a relationship or having sex to have questions or to need support.

Cancer and cancer treatment can affect many areas of sexual well-being. They may cause changes that are:

• physical – you may have side effects or symptoms that change how your body works or looks

• emotional – you may be dealing with stress, worry or other difficult feelings

• practical – your usual routines or roles may change.

These areas are often linked. If there is a change in one area, it may affect another.

Talk to your GP, cancer doctor or specialist nurse or your local sexual health service (see page 45). They may offer advice or treatments that can help you. Or they may suggest that you see someone else if you need more help. This might be:

• another healthcare professional in your cancer team

• a clinic that manages changes such as erectile dysfunction or early menopause

• a physiotherapist – a professional who may give you information and exercises that can improve some problems

• a gynaecologist – a doctor who treats female reproductive system problems

• a urologist – a doctor who treats bladder or male reproductive system problems

• an endocrinologist – a doctor who treats hormonal problems such as low testosterone.

Sex therapists are experts in sexual well-being. They can help with physical, emotional and relationship issues that affect sexual function or well-being. Some sex therapists are also doctors or nurses which can be helpful.

A sex therapist will ask questions to find out:

• what is worrying you

• how they might be able to help.

You do not have to answer any questions you feel uncomfortable with. But remember, therapy is confidential. It can help to talk about any sexual problems or worries you have.

Many people find they need more than one session of therapy to feel comfortable talking to their therapist.

You can talk to a sex therapist about:

• your sex life before cancer and cancer treatment

• any physical sexual difficulties you have

• your thoughts and feelings

• your relationships.