Your sex life will likely be impacted by your partner’s diagnosis. Writing from a gynecologic-oncologist’s point of view, a diagnosis of gynecologic cancer profoundly affects a woman physically and emotionally. Recovery from a major abdominal surgery can take up to six weeks, and the fatigue and side effects from pain medication impact sexual desire and functioning. Self-consciousness about body changes and fear that sexual intercourse may cause pain also impact a woman’s adjustment. If your partner had not experienced menopause before her surgery, symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness may occur. Of course, surgery of any kind on any part of the body can affect your partner’s sex drive (whether male or female) and similar physical and emotional concerns may apply. The point is to be aware and understanding of these changes. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment side effects may impact your sex life also. Chemotherapy side effects like nausea, hair loss, and fatigue may cause loss of desire. And scarring from radiation can cause the vagina to shorten, causing discomfort for your partner.
Your sex life will likely be impacted by your partner’s diagnosis.
Writing from a gynecologic-oncologist’s point of view, a diagnosis
of gynecologic cancer profoundly affects a woman physically and
emotionally. Recovery from a major...
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Dr. Nimesh Nagarsheth of The Mount Sinai Medical Center answered:Your sex life will likely be impacted by your partner’s diagnosis. Writing from a gynecologic-oncologist’s point of view, a diagnosis of gynecologic cancer profoundly affects a woman physically and emotionally. Recovery from a major abdominal surgery can take up to six weeks, and the fatigue and side effects from pain medication impact sexual desire and functioning. Self-consciousness about body changes and fear that sexual intercourse may cause pain also impact a woman’s adjustment. If your partner had not experienced menopause before her surgery, symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness may occur. Of course, surgery of any kind on any part of the body can affect your partner’s sex drive (whether male or female) and similar physical and emotional concerns may apply. The point is to be aware and understanding of these changes. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment side effects may impact your sex life also. Chemotherapy side effects like nausea, hair loss, and fatigue may cause loss of desire. And scarring from radiation can cause the vagina to shorten, causing discomfort for your partner.
