Chemotherapy (called chemo) is often given through an IV, which puts the drugs into a vein and right into the blood. This is a common treatment for many types of cancer.
But newer methods can sometimes be used to get more treatment to the tumor. For instance, with bladder cancer, the chemo can be put right into the bladder through a small soft tube. Treatments like this usually only affect a woman’s sex life for a short time. Some women may notice pain if they have sex too soon after the treatment.
Women with tumors in the pelvis may get chemo sent just to the cancer. The drugs are put into the blood vessels that feed the tumor, so an extra-strong dose goes right to the cancer. This kind of treatment is new, and doctors do not yet know the long-term effects on a woman’s sex life. The short-term side effects are much like those of IV chemo.
In another way of giving chemo, the drugs are put only into the belly (abdomen). For cancers of the ovaries or colon, the space around the intestines is filled with liquid chemo drugs. The liquid is drained out after a short time.
Early menopause with chemo
Many women getting chemo go into early menopause. They may notice hot flashes, the vagina may be dry and tight during sex, and their menstrual periods will go off their usual schedule. As the lining of the vagina thins, they might bleed slightly after sex.
Pregnancy during and after chemo
If you want kids later
If you think you might want to have children in the future, it is very important for you to talk to your doctor about this before you start chemo. Ask if the treatment will affect your ability to have children. Many chemo drugs can damage the ovaries. Sometimes the ovaries still work after chemo, but sometimes they don’t. For more on fertility and cancer, call us or visit our Web site.
Don’t get pregnant during (or just after) chemo
Many of the drugs used in cancer treatment can harm a fetus. During chemo women should use birth control to keep from getting pregnant. Talk to your doctor about what kind of birth control is best and safest for you to use. If you want to get pregnant soon, talk with your doctor about how long you should wait after having chemo.
Birth control after chemo
If you haven’t gone through menopause, it’s hard to know if you will be able to get pregnant after chemo. Some women start back having monthly periods after chemo, and still can’t get pregnant. Others can, so use birth control unless you want a child.
Chemo and sexual desire
Women who are getting chemo often notice less desire for sex. Side effects like upset stomach, tiredness, and weakness may leave little energy for your partner. After chemo ends, the side effects will slowly fade, and as you start to feel better, the desire for sex should return.
Women getting chemo also tend to feel less attractive. Hair loss, weight loss or gain, and sometimes IVs that stay in for weeks or months can make it hard to feel like yourself. Ideas to help with these problems are in the section called “Dealing with sexual problems.”
Sex during and after chemo
Be sure to ask your chemo doctor or nurse:
- When it will be OK to have sex
- What precautions you need to take, and for how long
- How each treatment might affect your sex life
Other problems from chemo that may affect your sex life
Some chemo drugs can make your mouth, throat, intestines, and vagina dry and sore.
Yeast infections are common during chemo. If you have a yeast infection, you may itch in or near your vagina. Some women have a thick white discharge, with burning during and after sex.
Chemo can also cause a flare up of genital herpes or genital warts if a woman has had them before. If you have any signs of infection, see your doctor right away. Infections can be serious because chemo can weaken your immune system. This makes it harder for you to fight infections.
You might be able to avoid some infections by wearing loose clothes and cotton panties to keep the vagina less moist. Wipe front to back after passing urine. Do not douche. Your doctor may also prescribe a vaginal cream or suppository to reduce germs that may grow in the vagina. Don’t touch the vagina or urethra with anything that has touched near the anus. Germs from the bowel can cause infections if they get into the vagina or urethra.
You’ll also want to avoid new infections you can get from sex partners. If you are having sex with someone you’re not sure about, practice safer sex. The safest way to have sex with a man is to use condoms every time, from start to finish. Whether you have oral sex (using the mouth), anal sex (entering the rectum), or vaginal sex, condoms can lower your risk of sexual infections. But keep in mind that the rectum is fragile, and might tear or rip. There may be times during your treatment it will not be safe to have anal sex.
For more about safer sex, contact the American Social Health Association (see the “To learn more” section).
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