Low sex drive after breast cancer – expert tips to deal with this condition

You have survived breast cancer. Here are tips to get your sex life back on track.

By: Rachel Hercman | | Updated: February 23, 2015 6:22 pm

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: भारत में हर 13 मिनट में 1 महिला की ब्रेस्ट कैंसर से होती है मौत, जानें कितनी जरूरी है जांच

When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer and treated, sexual satisfaction can easily fall to the back burner when it comes to conversations with doctors. After all, when cancer is in the picture, ‘survival mode’ and health concerns may preclude sex as a priority or recommendation. However, once the dust settles after the treatment and life goes back to a new normal, many women see dramatic changes in their sex lives. Though they may feel grateful to be alive, it doesn’t undermine the effect that sexual dysfunction may have on their relationships and the way they feel about themselves. Rachel Hercman who works at the Medical Center for Female Sexuality in New York, writes on this often-ignored condition, giving practical tips to overcome such a situation. Also Read - Women with severe menopause symptoms more likely to experience sexual dysfunction

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A recent survey by the Macmillan Cancer Support has revealed that one in two breast cancer survivors under the age of 55 reports that her sex life has suffered as a result of having the disease and treatment. Out of the 532 surveyed women who have had breast cancer surgery, most reported having a decreased sex drive; nearly half reported that they felt more self-conscious of their bodies, and one in six said reported that sex had become physically too painful following chemotherapy or surgery.

Fortunately, there are sexual dysfunction interventions that are safe for breast cancer survivors. However, many breast cancer survivors do not discuss sexual dysfunction with their doctors because they feel uncomfortable; some even feel guilty complaining about sex, thinking it may sound trivial in comparison to what they just went through. Perhaps if we work to increase awareness around breast cancer and sexual dysfunction, conversation around this issue will be normalised and women will feel more comfortable discussing their sex lives post-cancer both with their doctors as well as the people close to them.

Here are a few ways to help you and those around you feel empowered and supported in the post-breast cancer adjustment.

Ask: It’s scary to bring up sexual issues, especially when you’re feeling like you should just be walking around singing ‘hallelujah’ for getting through cancer treatment. But if you don’t ask your doctor about your sexual symptoms, he/she cannot help you.

If someone close to you is a breast cancer survivor, if you feel comfortable, don’t just ask them about how they’re feeling physically. Ask them how they are doing relationship-wise as well. You can even say it in a closed-ended way where they won’t feel pressure to tell you what’s going on. ‘Hey, I was just reading this interesting article on sexual issues after breast cancer treatment, would you like me to send you the article?’ They may appreciate you asking and ask you to send it, they may say, ‘no thanks’, but either way you’ve shown them you care.

Share: Going through breast cancer treatment and dealing with the effects on sexual functioning can be confusing, depressing, and isolating. For many women, the change in their sexual functioning hits at the core of their being, their femininity, their confidence as a partner. Dr Brene Brown, an American researcher on shame and vulnerability who has given several popular talks, says that empathy is the antidote to shame. Finding other women who are or have gone through similar experiences can be an incredibly powerful source of healing and sisterhood.

Look around for support groups, if there are none in your area, look online. There is a plethora of online support groups where you can connect with others and also help out women who are in the earlier stages of treatment. It’s also okay if a woman doesn’t want to share with others and would rather it be a private issue. She is allowed to make that choice and others should respect it.

Read: Find books and articles that address not only the technical aspects of surviving breast cancer but the emotional aspects and the impact on one’s sexual functioning. If you can’t access them from your computer, go to your local library. Always look at the author’s credentials. Here are some links that give an overview of breast cancer and sexuality:

You have survived an ordeal but it does not mean you stop enjoying your life. With the right support from your partner and doctor, you can have a decent sex life even after cancer.

Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

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Published : March 4, 2014 6:57 pm | Updated:February 23, 2015 6:22 pm

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