Summary table of how some common cancer treatments can affect sexuality and fertility

Treatment

Low sexual desire

Less vaginal moisture

Reduced vaginal size

Painful intercourse

Trouble reaching orgasm

Infertility

Chemotherapy

Sometimes

Often

Rarely – only if linked to menopause

Often

Rarely

Often

Pelvic radiation therapy

Often, if sex is linked with pain

Often

Often

Often

Rarely

Often

Radical hysterectomy

Rarely

Often*

Often

Rarely

Rarely

Always

Radical cystectomy

Rarely

Often*

Always

Sometimes

Sometimes

Always

Abdominoperineal (AP) resection

Rarely

Often*

Sometimes

Sometimes

Rarely

Sometimes*

Total pelvic exenteration with vaginal reconstruction

Sometimes

Always

Sometimes

Sometimes

Sometimes

Always

Radical wide local excision vulvectomy (or partial vulvectomy

Rarely

Never

Sometimes

Sometimes

Sometimes

Never

Conization of the cervix

Never

Never

Never

Rarely, only if scar tissue forms

Never

Rarely

Oophorectomy (removal of one tube & ovary)

Rarely

Never*

Never*

Never – unless linked to menopause

Never

Rarely

Oophorectomy (removal of both tubes & ovaries)

Rarely

Often*

Sometimes*

Sometimes*

Rarely

Always

Mastectomy or radiation to the breast

Rarely

Never

Never

Never

Rarely

Never

Tamoxifen therapy for breast or uterine cancer

Sometimes

Often

Sometimes

Sometimes

Rarely

Need to use birth control

Aromatase inhibitor therapy for breast cancer

Sometimes

Sometimes

Sometimes

Sometimes

Sometimes, if sex is painful

N/A (only given to women after menopause)