Sexual health and cancer treatment in women

Sexual activity is a natural human need, especially for people with cancer. During and after treatment, physical and emotional changes will occur, affecting libido and ability to have sex.

Sexual problems may appear during treatment, immediately after treatment, or even annually after the end of treatment. Possible sexual changes are:

• Decrease or loss of libido.
• Sexual pleasure cannot be achieved or maintained.
• Vagina, decrease or no longer lubrication.
• Difficulty or ina orgasm.
• Pain during sex.
• The genitals hurt or no longer feel.

Whether directly or indirectly, treatments often affect a woman's sexual health.

2.1 Radiotherapy

The undesirable effects of radiotherapy often cause impaired libido, including:

• diarrhea
• tired.
• Nausea.
• vomit.

Radiotherapy of the hip pelvic area can cause vaginal dryness, burning pain. The undesirable effects can last several weeks after treatment. Scar tissue after formation can cause narrowing, vaginal contraction, making it difficult, painful or even impossible to have sex.

The menstrual cycle can suddenly disappear even if it is notyet menopause, called early menopause , manifested by the following symptoms (which can lead to pain during sex):

• Decreased libido.
• Vagina, dry.
• Itching of the vagina,.
• Vagina, swollen.

2.2 Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can affect appearance as well as libido, including:

• Gain or lose weight.

• Nausea.
• vomit.
• Diarrhea.

Some types of chemotherapy will inject chemicals into the hip pelvis or bladder causing painful swelling, making sex difficult or impossible, until the body recovers.In young women there may be a sudden shutdown of the ovaries, and this condition can be temporary or permanent.

2.3 Other drugs

Some other medications (such as painkillers, antidepressants,…) can cause impaired libido.

2.4 Sub-surgery

Surgery on the genitals can affect the length of the vagina, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. Surgery can also cause vaginal stenosis or chronic pelvic pain. All of this has an impact on sexual activity. If you are not menopause, the surgery to remove the sides of the ovaries will be menopause early.

2.5 Rectal or bladder surgery

These surgeries remove part or all of the colon, rectum or bladder, and are sometimes accompanied by artificial anal openings or artificial urinary openings. Artificial anus, artificial urinary openings are the lines that are opened during surgery so that later feces, urine will pass through which it is removed from the body. And for that reason they affect the patient's morale, reduce libido and sexual activity.

2.6 Breast cancer surgery

Surgery to remove part or all of the breast will change the appearance as well as the feel of the breast.

2.7 Endormonal therapy

Anti-estrogenic treatments can cause the appearance of manifestations of menopause, including:

• It feels hot.
• Vagina, dry.
• Pain during sex.
• Decreased libido.

In the field of mild care of cancer, reducing undesirable effects is an important issue, including:

3.1 Vaginal moisturizing

These products do not contain hormones, do not need to be prescribed, help moisturize the vagina and also the, making sex more comfortable. The number of uses is 3-5 times per week, and for the best results, use it at bedtime.

3.2 Vaginal lubricants

Including water, silicone or oil products, they help lubricate for comfort and increase pleasure during sex.

3.3 Exercises for pelvic floor muscles

These exercises help to firm, strong pelvic floor muscles, and help reduce pain during sex.

3.4 Vaginal dilated instruments

These devices help to dilate the vagina, reduce tightness, help reduce pain during sex. These devices come in a variety of sizes, and can be gradually used from small to larger sizes. The best result will be achieved if combined with exercises for pelvic floor muscles.

3.5 Low-dose Estrogen for vagina

In the form of rings, creams or tablets release estrogen into the vagina. They help the vagina recover and are an alternative when products that do not contain hormones or lubricants do not work.

3.6 Vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Helps treat vaginal dryness or pain during sex without increasing estrogen levels, and may be a good option for women with estrogen-sensitive cancer.

3.7 Vaginal Lidocaine

Use immediately before sex, relieve pain and increase pleasure.

3.8 Alternative hormones

This is the most effective way for women who have a hot sensation. However, for women who are treated with hormones, no alternative hormones are allowed. They will have to be replaced with other drugs such as paroxetine, venlafaxine (Effexor), gabapentin (Neurontin), and clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay) to solve the hot flush problem.

The psychology of cancer patients has many negative stages, therefore, in addition to support, motivation, care from the family, the patient needs to be treated emotionally and psychologically by a team of professional and appropriate psychological interventions. Besides, the correct application of therapy is also one of the important factors to help cancer patients overcome their fears, depressions, feelings of torment.

Article reference source: cancer.net

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