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Sexual issues after cancer diagnosis and treatment, please share.

Posted by Laurie, Volunteer Mentor @roch, Nov 19 2:21pm

A new article published on Mayo's educational center talks about effect of cancer on sexual health. Though article does not specifically address hormone changes in women after cancer treatment, some of the advice still applies.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/cancer-education-center/newsfeed-post/how-cancer-can-affect-sexual-health/
Sometimes people are embarrassed to disclose with providers these problems. Your dealing with cancer, hormonal drugs, etc; but you are still a women and have desires. I think the best piece of advice in this article is to discuss with your provider. In my experience, I thought I had to live with it. I had hysterotomy before 40 due to endometriosis, then breast cancer in by early 60s. Lot of meds that effected my hormones. After breast cancer treatment was done, I scheduled an appointment with gynecologist who offered excellent advice. She discussed things my oncologist and primary never did.

Be your own advocate, seek advice and ask question.

Please share you advice about dealing with sexual issues after cancer treatment. This is safe place to discusses these issues. You are not alone dealing with sexual issues after cancer treatment.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.

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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Nov 20 6:40am

@roch Thank you for sharing this article. I've been seen a few times by Dr. Jennifer Vencill, Ph.D., L.P., psychologist and certified sex therapist at the Menopause and Women's Sexual Health Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. She sent me home with new information by explaining the anatomy of the pelvic floor before and after hysterectomy, recommended books, and helpful exercises. The nurse educators at the Clinic walked me through the use of different kinds of lubrication and how to apply it. I've also been seen in PT at Mayo Clinic, Rochester by pelvic floor specialists.

This is an excellent article that explains options available to those of us who are cancer survivors and find that our sexual lives are greatly altered by cancer.

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