There is wonderful news because there are treatment options available. So do not hesitate discussing with your healthcare team your concerns. It is possible for you and your partner to have an intimate relationship.

For the woman who can no longer have sexual intercourse you may grieve deeply for this loss. A psychologist, counselor or sex therapist can help you and your partner through this loss and perhaps help you find other ways to become intimate and regain the closeness and pleasure of one another. A trained

professional with expertise in this area should provide this therapy. For sex therapy, you may want to find an

AASECT certified therapist at www.AASECT.org. It is important for you and your partner to keep communication open if changes in your sexual function are causing you distress.

Ask your doctor if any of the medications that you are on may be causing decreased desire. This includes chemotherapy, hormone therapies, and antidepressants.

Pain can cause loss of desire. This may be due to dryness and over the counter lubricants or vaginal estrogens could help. Also a pelvic floor physical therapist consult should be considered.

Lack of energy can cause a decreased interest in sex. Talk to your partner about having sex when your energy level is up, perhaps in the morning. Ask you physician to check if your testosterone is low. Women need some testosterone for good sexual function. However, if you had breast cancer, using replacement testosterone may not be appropriate.

If all physical causes for low desire have been eliminated, then ask to see a counselor. Your loss of desire may be related to depression, anxiety or body image concerns.

A decreased ability to become aroused may be due to medications or how one feels about their body. If this has to do with body image concerns, a consult with a mental health provider could be helpful. If it is due to medications, ask your doctor if she/he could switch your medication to one that does not have this side effect.

See a gynecologist who has expertise in pelvic and vaginal pain. Talk to this provider about lubricants and vaginal estrogens. You may want to ask for a referral to a physical therapist with expertise in pelvic floor problems. Also, if you have had gynecological surgery and radiation therapy, a pelvic floor physical therapist with expertise in rehabilitation post pelvic surgery and radiation should be considered.

Medications may cause this, so ask your doctor if the medications you are on or have been on could be causing this difficulty. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can make reaching climax more difficult. Some women complain that chemotherapy impacted their ability to have an climax. Other women will express that after having their uterus removed their climax are less intense.

What is most important is that you continue to seek help. If your doctor cannot assist you, then do not hesitate to ask for a referral or speak with other women in cancer support groups who may know of a doctor or therapist who has helped them.

Article by Lisa Martinez

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