Your Sex Life after Cervical Cancer

Walking through a cancer diagnosis and treatment is a daunting journey. There is a lot of fear and uncertainty, both of which can impact your relationship with yourself and your partner or spouse. As cervical cancer affects your reproductive region, you may be wondering how cancer treatment will impact your sex life and your ability to have sexual intimacy in the future. If you are embarrassed to ask your healthcare provider about this, Pepper is here to break that taboo and empower you to seek solutions. Read ahead to learn how to ease back into sex after cervical cancer. 

Can you have sex after cervical cancer?

Let's start on a positive note and take a deep exhale because the answer is YES! Many individual factors come into play with sex after cervical cancer, but every survivor can engage in intimacy following surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy with the right medical guidance. The most important precaution to take, regardless of the treatment, is that all individuals should wait a minimum of 6 weeks following their last treatment to resume sex. This includes non-penetrative sex as well, to avoid arousal of pelvic tissue during the healing process. Having guidance from your doctor and pelvic floor therapist is of paramount importance to address individual factors. 

Cancer treatment is known to reduce white blood cell count, which can weaken the immune system. The risk of infection is therefore higher during this period and can persist for varying times following treatment, so it is important for both you and your partner to maintain good hygiene before and after sex. Other side effects of chemotherapy and radiation include tissue thinning, so it is important to use lubricant during penetration to protect sensitive and healing tissues. Sexual intimacy does not alway shave to be penetrative, and there are other ways to connect on a deep level with your partner. This can include kissing, cuddling, writing love notes to each other, or sharing sexual fantasies. You can also read our article on how to build sexual tension to get some new and exciting ideas. 

How does sex change after cervical cancer? 

Cancer treatment can be exhausting, which may reduce the desire to engage in any kind of sexual intimacy. Giving yourself time to regain your energy might test your patience, but focusing on rest and good nutrition during the initial phase of recovery will benefit your sex life in the long run. Low libido is a known side effect of chemotherapy and radiation, but can also be exacerbated from stress related to cancer treatment and coping with a new diagnosis. Although cancer is more common in our older years it does not make it easier to go through such a taxing journey. Having a self care practice to help relieve stress is an important piece of the healing. Go easy on yourself and know that returning to sex after cervical cancer may take time. 

Sex might be painful initially. This is because radiation and chemotherapy can also cause thinning of the vaginal wall and surrounding tissues. It would be risky business to pass on the lube, so make sure you are well-stocked with options. You can pick from Pepper's wide variety of lubricants and make sure to have a couple of options tucked away in your bedside drawer. Warming up tissue beforehand with a dildo will also help with tissue lengthening and natural lubrication. Pepper has a range of dildos that can be used for self-stretching, such as The Deia or La Wand Grand Bullet. Choosing a smaller option first will ensure you don't have tearing with dildo use. 

If your cancer recovery involves surgical removal of the cervix or surrounding tissue then it is likely that new sensations will be present. The silver lining of the cervical cancer is that it is extremely rare for the ovaries to be removed, so sex hormones will continue to circulate and your libido will be spared in the long term. In some cases, it may be painful, and resorting to dildo use can be beneficial for stretching shortened or changed tissue from scar growth. Others may experience heightened please from the tissue changes during surgical removal. Don't worry, an extensive study showed that most women had no issues achieving orgasm following cervical cancer - hallelujah. 

Tips for enjoying sex after cervical cancer

Outercourse can be a safe and intimate way to ease back into sex after cancer. Outercourse, or non-penetrative sex, is the act of sexual activity without penetration. Outercourse can increase closeness and trust between partners, while also helping partners better understand each other's bodies and desirable ways to be touched that are non-penetrative. Outercourse can involve writing love letters, sending sexual text messages or emails, wearing sexy or revealing clothing, undressing in front of your partner, making erotic eye contact, or watching pornography together. Any activity that couples or individuals find arousing that is non-penetrative are optimal ways to ease into sex.

Once you are your partner feel ready for penetrative sex, using lube to ensure the experience is comfortable will make intimacy enjoyable. Don't be shy with sex toys as these can help warm up and stretch the tissue to better tolerate penetration. If things still don't feel right, consider asking your doctor for pain medication. This may be helpful during the acute healing phase up to 6 months following radiation, chemo, or surgery. 

Cervical cancer can be a scary diagnosis and may leave you questioning your sex life. The information you now have in your hands will help you to manage and maintain your sex life following cancer treatment and will hopefully empower you to walk this path knowing that things will be okay, even if they are different. Start the conversation with your healthcare provider sooner rather than later so that you can be prepared and empowered to tackle what is to come. 

Claire is a pelvic floor therapist with a distinct speciality certification in pelvic rehabilitation (PRPC). She is the private clinic owner of Rooted Pelvic Health and Hand Therapy in Sun Valley, Idaho. She treats all gender diversities for pelvic floor related conditions including sexual dysfunction, gynecological cancer recovery, and chronic pelvic pain. Claire's mission is to improve overall function and quality of life with lasting results for her clients. As a contributing writer to Pepper Together, Claire seeks to provide education about a subject that deserves more attention. She hopes that by spreading the word about pelvic floor conditions she can break the stigma about conversations around sex, and provide simple solutions to improve sexual intimacy.