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Intimacy & Sexuality
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center 833-983-1142
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center at
Banner North Colorado Medical Center
1801 16th Street
Greeley, CO 80631
970-810-3894
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center Radiation Oncology Clinic at
Banner McKee Medical Center
2000 Boise Ave. Loveland, CO 80538
970-810-3894
“Cancer treatment can cause a variety of sexual changes. Even though the causes may be different – surgery, chemotherapy, hormone treatment or radiation – the resulting changes are often similar. Some patients experience changes in all areas (desire, arousal, orgasm, resolution), but others experience none.”
“The most common sexual change for cancer patients is an overall loss of desire. For women, vaginal dryness and pain with sexual activity are frequent. Most women are still able to have an orgasm even if cancer treatment interferes with vaginal lubrication or involves removing some parts of the pelvic organs. It is common for patients to need more time or stimulation to reach orgasm.”
“You should know that the following common cancer treatment side effects may affect your desire for sex: Fatigue, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation, Hair loss, Weight changes, Scars, Sensitivity to tastes and smells. While medications are available to treat many of these symptoms, some of these same drugs can decrease sexual desire or make it harder to reach orgasm.”
“It is usually safe to have sex during cancer treatment unless your doctor tells you not to. Talk with your doctor before participating in sexual activities.”
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Sex and Cancer (Intimacy, Romance, and Love after Diagnosis and Treatment)
Saketh R. Guntupalli, MD, and Maryann Karinch
“An intimate partnership has physical and psychological components, both of which often take a hit when cancer enters the union. The prospect, and then the process, of treatments tend to alter the way the two people relate to each other. When the diagnosis is one of gynecologic or reproductive cancer for a woman, questions of sexual intimacy and function often color relationships, confuse partners, and raise concerns that other cancers might not.”
“With an estimated 83,000 women a year added to the roles of those battling gynecologic cancers and 300,000 women a year added to roles of those battling breast cancer, Sex and Cancer focuses on surviving and thriving—more than 70 percent of women with gynecologic cancers now survive!—and helps readers mitigate outcomes and overcome challenges of sexual dysfunction after a cancer diagnosis; reassess the priorities in an intimate relationship to support the patient’s struggle, healing, and libido; and learn to interact with the professionals tasked with saving lives and enhancing those areas affected by cancer diagnosis and treatment. Sex and Cancer features stories that illuminate insights about the impact of gynecologic and reproductive cancers on relationships. The stories give life to guidance that’s critical in shaping the effect that gynecologic cancer has on intimate relationships. And readers will find insight, comfort, and suggestions for addresses the questions about intimacy and sexual function that are often left unexpressed.”
https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Cancer-Intimacy-Diagnosis-Treatment/dp/1442275081
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
American Cancer Society
PO Box 370207
Denver, CO 80237
“SEX AND THE ADULT FEMALE WITH CANCER”
“In this guide, we offer you and your partner some information about cancer, sex, and sexuality. We cannot answer every question, but we try to give you enough information to help you and your partner have open, honest talks about your sex life. We also share some ideas about talking with your doctor and your cancer care team.”
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Sex and the Adult Female with Cancer | American Cancer Society
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SEX THERAPIST LOCATOR
This site allows one to search for qualified therapists specializing in sex therapy, sexual health, and relationships.
Find a Therapist | Society for Sex Therapy and Research
JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE
“LIFE AFTER CANCER: CHANGES IN A WOMAN'S SEX LIFE”
“Many women have changes in their sex life after cancer treatment. You may have both physical and emotional side effects. You may not feel as good about your body. You may have changes in the way your body looks and works from surgery or radiation. You may have pain, or not really care about sex.”
Many women with cancer have sexual problems. Your risk depends on:
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The type of cancer and where it was in your body
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Your sexual function before you had cancer
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The kinds of treatment you had
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How long treatment lasted
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Your stress level and how you are coping with changes 
“Cancer treatments can cause many kinds of sexual changes. Some of these may get better or go away with time as nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues heal. The problems can include: low sex drive, vaginal dryness, vaginal stenosis, vaginismus, pain during sex, vulvovaginal atrophy, vaginal shortening, change in sensitivity, changes in orgasm, other physical problems such as fatigue, pain, nausea, or shortness of breath, body image problems, and mood changes such as depression and anxiety.”
The types of treatment include:
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Hormone therapy. Sometimes hormones can be used to help boost sex drive and function. You may be given hormones in a cream, ointment, or patch.
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Vaginal dilator therapy. This is a series of slim plastic or rubber wands that you can use for a short time each day (like a tampon) to help gently stretch and widen your vagina. It can help make sex easier and less painful.
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Topical lidocaine. This is pain medicine in a cream or ointment. It can help ease the symptoms of painful sex.
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Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. Moisturizers are used every few days to help relieve vaginal dryness. Lubricants are used during sex. 
Life After Cancer: Changes in a Woman's Sex Life | Johns Hopkins Medicine
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WOMAN CANCER SEX by Anne Katz
“Woman Cancer Sex, Second Edition, is an accessible and comprehensive resource for women living with and surviving cancer as they navigate specific challenges related to sex and sexuality.”
“Women who have survived cancer remain sexual beings despite the challenges of cancer treatment, and they often have nowhere to go with their questions and concerns. This text interweaves stories from clinical practice with evidence-based tips and interventions for a range of physical and emotional side effects resulting from cancer and its treatment. Each chapter describes the experience of a woman with a particular kind of cancer and a variety of related problems, including loss of libido, physical pain, body image issues, depression, and struggles communicating with a partner and health care providers.”
“Written by a leading voice in the field of cancer and sexuality, this book offers essential guidance surrounding questions about sexual health for women diagnosed with cancer. It will also be of use to health care providers including social workers and sex and couple therapists.”
https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Cancer-Sex-Anne-Katz-dp-0367548364/dp/0367548364/ref=dp_ob_image_bk
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