In Joslyn Paguio, HPV, the virus, which can lead to cervical cancer in the middle of its first semester year of College’s studies. She received no further information from her medical school clinic, but she made her own research and found an OB-Gyn who found that Paguios HPV strain was a high risk of cancer and careful surveillance.
Years later, a few weeks before her wedding, diagnosed at Paguio cervical cancer in stage 1. Paguio was grateful that she could wait until after her honeymoon to get the recommended operation that removed part of her cervix.
“Sex was different after the operation. It was uncomfortable – in addition to painful,” she said. “My husband was afraid to hurt me. He was on the hat, and that was limited our sex life.” Paguio stayed vigilant about screenings, and when her daughter was in primary school in 2021, she was again diagnosed with cervical cancer. This time Paguio had a hysterectomy. Sex has changed again for Paguio, but this time more radical.
“Nobody warns you of the pain,” said Paguio. “For a whole day after sex, I was moved in the fetal position, flooded heavily and popped ibuprofen. I went to the doctor and said: ‘This is not normal. They said I could have sex again.'”
Read: The HPV vaccination is cancer prevention >>
Sex after cervical cancer treatment
Linda Eckert, MD, AB-GYN, professor at the departments for obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington and global health and author of enough: Because we can stop cervical cancer, said “[Healthcare providers] As a rule, consider long -term cervical cancer as curable, but the changes caused by treatment can be devastating. Sex is not spoken enough – and it should be. “
In a study, most of the survivors of cervical cancer stated to satisfy sex life after treatment. Finding a satisfactory sex life after cervical cancer treatment can require changes. Warnings of the potential side effects of treatment and their possible effects on sexuality, both physically and emotionally, are often missing. However, this information can help the survivors to prepare mentally and take the necessary steps to make adjustments.
Treatment cancer treatment effects on sexual organs
Cervical cancer treatment depends on the stage in which the cancer is when it is found. If it was found early, there are surgical treatment options that generally lead to the vagina becomes shorter. According to Eckert, however, the vaginal fabric is “forgiving and stretching” if there are no changes in the hormones of the reproduction system. A later diagnosis in the stage often gives the treatment radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation can sometimes lead to “devastating” scars, change the shape and flexibility of the vagina and even change the vaginal discharge.
Sex should be part of the treatment discussion
Christy Chambers was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the 4b stage. Your treatment plan included low -dose chemotherapy and external radiation, followed by immunotherapy. She had many side effects with her treatments, but she was announced in May 2023 that she had no “indications of illness”.
“I was very nervous to pick up sex again,” said Chambers. “Although I had no inner radiation, the treatment still changed the inner structure of my vagina. The inner depth was shorter and smaller, also very dry and narrow. My partner was very patient, but I felt guilty that we had to keep sex often because of my uncomfortable.”
Chambers said nobody in her medical team mentioned the intimacy, and it was not treated in the information package that the hospital gave her. “The medical team mentioned it two years after I ended the treatment,” she said.
Barb Depree, MD, director of the Frauenmidlife services in the Holland Hospital and member of the Health Advisory Council of Healthywomen, said sex is often not discussed after a diagnosis of cervical cancer, since many health service providers are primarily focused on a successful cancer treatment and are not on the Cervix, which are mainly with sexual Get dealing. However, she said: “It is helpful to take a minute for the treatment to understand what could change. … It is realistic that sex therapy and pelvic floor therapy could be part of recovery.”
Eckert said that patients do not know enough to ask about possible effects on their sexuality and their sexual life. “With a cancer in the genital region, it is up to the doctor to promote potential changes in sexuality, desire, function and accommodation.”
Eckert said that the survivors who interviewed them for their book mainly received information about sex from other survivors after treatment. “They have rarely been said, except by other survivors, that, for example, aggressive and early use of dilators can help with vaginal changes. Or they may not be prepared to be taken with treatment induced menopause, and this will have a quick effect on estrogen levels and vaginal integrity.”
Paguio found an OB-Gyn who heard and understood her challenges, and recommended to see a physiotherapist who works especially with problems with pelvic floor. “I had reservations,” she said. “It sounded strange. I didn’t think it would work.” But the physiotherapist convinced her to come and go 10 sessions if it didn’t help.
“I saw an improvement after the fifth session,” said Paguio. She and her husband also saw therapists individually to cope with fear of cancer and their effects on their lives, including their sexual life.
“I realized that I was worried about sex,” said Paguio. “Therapy made it possible for me to tell my husband that I am not in the mood. Because if I am not in the mood, it won’t feel right and it is only a bad experience. Therapy has helped us to keep the communication lines open.”
Chambers also found pelvic floor therapy helpful. “I wish I had known about it earlier because it made it easier to return to intimacy,” said Chambers, who also recommended finding sex and couple therapy.
It is important to remember that intimacy does not always have to contain urgent sex. There are other ways to be intimate, such as finger games, oral sex and even just cuddled. Part of your communication with your partner should discuss what options you are both familiar with.
It took about three months to resume intimacy to resume penetration. “The lubrication was the key and we made a lot of finger game and stimulation until I was relaxed enough [to feel desire]«, Said Chambers.
Find the right support
The earlier you deal with sexual effects of the treatment, the better results you can restore the full functions. Removal of dilators recommended if the vaginal fabric feels less reactions or tight. “The longer you go without addressing it, the more difficult it is to reverse the changes,” said Depree.
Pelvic floor therapists can show women how to use vaginal dilators to expand and relax the vaginal fabric. These physiotherapy specialists can also help women find vaginal moisture creams and lubricants that work well for them. A vaginal moisturizer is used daily – as used on the skin, moisturizer creams to remain smooth, while lubricant is only used during sex to reduce friction. When returning to penetrative sex, Eckert recommended the early use of dilators and deep controller devices.
“Your life after cancer will never be what it was, but you can definitely create a new normality,” said Chambers. “Be open and honest with each other. Author connected to pain less and less a solution. If you cause pain, stop and find a remedy. Experiment and find what works for you.”
Finding support can also be extremely helpful. According to Eckert, survival groups can be valuable for the exchange of information, and a sensitive medical team can make miracles. “Find a gynecologist who not only speaks about survival, but realizes that survival continues her whole life.”
This educational resource was created with the support of Merck.
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