Content Overview 
- Summary
- Myths About Colorectal Cancer And Sex
- How Colorectal Cancer Can Affect Sexuality And Sex Drive
- How Surgery For Colorectal Cancer May Affect Sex And Sexuality
- How Radiation For Colorectal Cancer May Affect Sex And Sexuality
- How Chemotherapy For Colorectal Cancer May Affect Sex And Sexuality
- How Targeted Therapies For Colorectal Cancer May Affect Sex And Sexuality
- Pain And Sex
- Fatigue And Sex
- Emotional Issues And Sex
- I Do Not Feel Attractive Because Of Colorectal Cancer Or Treatment
- Sex, Sexuality And An Ostomy
- Tips For Having Sex During And After Treatment
- Tips For Involving A Partner In Sexual Concerns
Colorectal Cancer: Sex, Sexuality and Intimacy
How Radiation For Colorectal Cancer May Affect Sex And Sexuality
Next » « Previous5/14
You can have sex during treatment.
- Sex during treatment is not recommended if:
- Your immune system is low (“immunosuppressed”) including your white blood cells
- You have very low red blood cell countsor anemia
- You are in the first weeks of recovery after surgery
- It is not advisable for a woman to become pregnant during radiation treatment. Pre-menopausal womenshould use safer sex techniques to prevent pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. To learn more, see: Sexual Activities: Level Of Risk Of Transmission of HIV and Other STDs . (A 1387)
- Having sex or being intimate does not expose a partner to radiation.
- Check with your doctor or his/her nurse before having sex to make sure there are no problems
Possible side effects of radiation which can affect sex and sexuality:
- Skin irritation which can vary from mild to severe, and may be internal and/or external. Even cuddling may be uncomfortable.
- Bladder irritation (which may be a permanent side effect).
- Bladder irritation can lead to bleeding, diarrhea and frequent urination. Your doctor may have suggestions about reducing these symptoms if they occur.
- For information about dealing with diarrhea, click here)
- Fatigue.
- While fatigue from radiation is not generally as great as fatigue from chemotherapy, it can last longer.
- For information about dealing with fatigue, click here)
- Women with pelvic radiation may experience vaginal dryness and/orr narrowing (“stenosis”) which causes tightness. Penetrative sex by either a penis or an object may be uncomfortable or may cause pain.
- Inability or difficulty in achieving an erection (For information about dealing with erectile dysfunction, click here)
- Diminished orgasms, and/or vaginal irritation in women.
- Being on an emotional roller coaster, with the possibility of getting stuck in depression. For information about dealing with emotional issues, click here.
- The ability to have children. The risks are higher if the radiation is in the pelvis or surrounding areas. (For options to consider, click here
- Poor body image (For information about identifying and dealing with poor body image, click here.
Please share how this information is useful to you.
0 Comments
Post a Comment Have something to add to this topic? Contact Us.
Get Your Personal Guide