It can help to know about the different parts of the sex organs and their names so that you know what we’re talking about in this section.
Diagram of the female sex organs
Diagram showing the female sex organs.It is in the lower half of the abdomen and shows the two ovaries on either side of the abdomen. These are connected to the womb, or uterus, by fallopian tubes. At the base of the womb is the cervical canal, cervix and vagina. Behind the womb is the bladder.
Some treatments can cause vaginal dryness. This may be due to low levels of the female hormone, oestrogen. Sometimes the ovaries need to be removed as part of treatment for cancer and this causes lower oestrogen levels. You will then have an early menopause (when your periods stop permanently).
Radiotherapy to the pelvic area may stop the ovaries producing oestrogen. An early menopause can also be caused by treatment that affects the gland in the brain called the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland produces hormones that control the production of oestrogen by the ovaries.
If you’ve had surgery to your vagina, which has made it narrower or shorter, this can make sex uncomfortable, though this is very rare. Damage to the nerves from pelvic surgery or radiotherapy can reduce your ability to feel pleasure during sex and have an orgasm.
- If you’ve had treatment for bone or muscle tumours in your limbs or back, it can sometimes be more difficult to get into a position to have sex.
- If you’re in pain for any reason this can make having sex more difficult.
- Your interest in sex may be lowered if the levels of the sex hormones (testosterone or oestrogen) in your body have been reduced by your treatment.
- Many young people with cancer say that they feel ‘washed out’ and as though they have no energy for many months or even longer. If this happens to you, you may lose interest in sex, feel unattractive or worry that you’ll never be able to be sexually active.
- These feelings may also happen due to any changes in your body after the cancer and treatment.
what can help?
If you have a dry vagina, this can be treated by using a cream or gel on the inside lining of your vagina. These can be bought from a pharmacist or prescribed by your GP. You can ask for products such as KY Jelly, Senselle®, Astroglide® or SYLK®.
If surgery or radiotherapy has made your vagina narrower, your doctor or specialist nurse may suggest that you use vaginal dilators. These are plastic tubes of varying sizes which you insert gently into the vagina to stretch it. A doctor or nurse will show you the dilators and explain how to use them. They’re designed to very gently and gradually stretch the vagina and can be very effective. Although this may seem strange it sounds worse than it is.
Hormone levels can usually be kept almost normal by taking hormone tablets, using skin patches or having injections.
If you’re put off having sex because you’re in pain, it’s worth checking with your doctor if there is anything that can get rid of or reduce the pain. You can also experiment with sexual positions that may be more comfortable for you.
Perhaps the most important thing to realise is that your problems will be the same as for many other young people treated for cancer, and getting help may solve or reduce them.
