Sexual health is an important part of overall health. Understanding sexual health can complicate things even at the best of times. Sexual health during cancer treatment can feel; even more confusing.
Maintaining sexual health during cancer treatment is possible. Like other types of treatment, some people have side effects, while others don’t.
People who receive cancer treatment usually learn about possible sexual side effects from their doctor. But you don’t have to wait for your doctor to mention how cancer treatment can affect sexual health. You should raise this important issue yourself if you have any concerns.
How Does Cancer Treatment Affect Sexual Health?
In general, having sex during cancer treatment is safe. Your doctor will let you know if you need to abstain for medical reasons.
It may help to realize that sexual side effects can affect many dimensions of your life. These include:
- Body image.
- Feelings of intimacy and well-being.
- Physical issues with sex organs.
- Sex drive or libido.
Pinpointing your specific concerns may get you the help you need faster. Overall, the lack of desire for sex during cancer treatment is probably the most common concern. Both men and women may lose interest in sex before, during, or after cancer treatment.
How Does Cancer Affect Women’s Sexual Health?
Women may also have other sexual concerns besides a lack of interest.
Some cancer treatments may cause changes to your vagina. Pelvic radiation can cause vaginal dryness or soreness. Pelvic surgery for cancer can leave your vagina narrowed or shorter, leading to uncomfortable sex.
Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy can all cause or contribute to sexual problems for women with cancer.
Hormone therapy, which is a common treatment for breast cancer or endometrial cancer, can cause menopause-like symptoms. These include hot flashes, pain during sex, and vaginal dryness. If you haven’t gone through menopause, you may have menstrual cycle changes.
Chemo can cause early menopause. It can also cause side effects throughout your body that affect how you feel about sex, including:
- Changes to your weight.
- Diarrhea.
- Fatigue.
- Hair loss.
- Mouth sores.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Yeast infections.
You may find your libido returning as you feel better between chemo cycles.
Some types of immunotherapy might temporarily decrease your female hormones. You might lose interest in sex during treatment. If that happens, your hormone levels — and libido — might rebound after treatment is complete.
If you can become pregnant, use contraception each time you have sex during treatment. Many cancer treatments can cause severe birth defects. Your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to stop using birth control if you want to conceive following treatment.
These problems may last for a short or long time. Some sexual changes may become permanent. But in every case, your health care team can provide resources or treatment to address your sexual challenges.
How Does Cancer Affect Men’s Sexual Health?
Men may also have sexual side effects related to their cancer treatment.
Cancer treatment can sometimes cause erectile dysfunction (ED). This can happen if your cancer treatment damages the nerves or blood vessels of your sex organs.
Surgery or radiation to your pelvic organs can cause this damage. These include your prostate, bladder, colon, or rectum.
Decreased testosterone levels can also cause ED. Treatments that can lower testosterone levels include:
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted therapy
Cancer treatments can also affect ejaculation, including:
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy
- Radiation
- Surgery
Your doctor can provide treatment for both ED and ejaculation problems.
How Do Sexual Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Affect Mental Health?
Sexual side effects can have a profound effect on a patient’s quality of life and the quality of their relationship.
Both men and women can feel emotionally vulnerable during cancer treatment, especially when it comes to sexual concerns. Talking honestly with your partner about what you’re experiencing is often an effective way to cope.
How Do I Talk to My Cancer Doctor About Sexual Side Effects?
It’s never too early — or too late — to bring up concerns about your sexual health with your doctor.
Ideally, you and your doctor will discuss possible sexual side effects while you’re planning your cancer treatment. You can prevent or lessen some side effects with planning, so inform your doctor about all your treatment priorities, including your sexual health. You can ask questions like:
- How will this treatment affect my sexual health?
- How long might sexual side effects last?
- How can you help me if I develop sexual side effects?
- Are there other effective cancer treatments that are less likely to cause sexual side effects?
Let your doctor know about any sexual concerns you have at any time before, during, or after your treatment. Many people may feel awkward talking about sex, but the only way your doctor can help is if you’re honest about your feelings.
Are There Medical Resources to Help Cancer Patients with Sexual Side Effects?
Your care team can discuss medical interventions for the sexual side effects of cancer treatment.
Those interventions will vary depending on your specific side effects.
For example, your care team has lots of experience managing chemo side effects. Medications are available to treat many of these symptoms, but some drugs can decrease sexual desire. Your doctor can help you balance your overall comfort with your desire to resume a healthy sex life.
UPMC offers a robust cancer survivorship program that can help.
A variety of specialized therapists are available to help people. For example, you can consult a:
- Mental health therapist with expertise in sexuality.
- Physical or occupational therapist with expertise in sexuality.
- Pelvic floor therapist.
- Sex therapist.
Ask your doctor for a referral if you need one.
How Can Partners Help Cancer Patients with Sexual Side Effects?
How can partners help in coping with the sexual side effects of cancer treatment?
Recognize the possibility that your partner is experiencing intense emotional changes related to sex. It’s normal for their interest in sex to wane when they’re anxious, depressed, or coping with physical side effects.
Your partner may find it difficult to accept changes to their self-image. Many aspects of body image can cause emotional challenges, including:
- Change of function or appearance of any body part due to cancer treatment.
- Changes to how your penis functions.
- Changes to how you eliminate waste (pee or poop).
- The loss of one or both breasts.
Let your partner communicate freely about their changing sexuality. You can also share supportive insights about your own feelings about sexuality during this time.
Focus on physical and emotional intimacy, even if your partner is unable or unwilling to have sex. Emotional closeness and loving touch can keep your bond strong even during cancer treatment.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .
Sources
American Cancer Society. How Cancer Can Affect Sex and Intimacy. Accessed June 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects/how-cancer-affects-sexuality.html/ Cancer.org
American Cancer Society. Sexual Side Effects. Accessed June 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/sexual-side-effects.html/ Cancer.org