Orgasms After Cancer: Part I
Understanding the “O” in “OMG!”
As if all the other side effects from cancer treatment aren’t bad enough, survivors can also experience frustrating changes in their sex lives, including newly altered (or absent!) orgasms. Why does this happen, and what can be done?
Read More...“E” is for Emotional Intimacy
Cancer has a way of disrupting almost every aspect of a person’s life, including sex. If you’re like most young survivors, you may be struggling with a number of things that can affect how sexual you feel, or whether or not you’re interested in or able to engage in sexual activity. This is totally normal. Sometimes, though, altered sexual routines can also impact a couple’s emotional closeness. If you are in a romantic relationship, it’s important to remember that there are lots of ways to share intimacy that don’t include sex.
Read More...The Who’s Who of Sexual Health in Survivorship
Building a Sexual Wellness Recovery Team. Changes in sex, intimacy, and relationships are common after cancer. But if you are experiencing an issue, it can feel pretty lonely, and you may not know who to ask for help. Your primary care or oncology care teams are always a good place to start.
Read More...The Ouch Factor
Why Sexual Pain Happens After Cancer, and What Can Be Done. If you experience discomfort with sexual activity, you’re not alone. Sexual pain happens to be the most commonly reported sexual complaint for women after cancer (Bober & Krapf, 2021).
Read More...Help! I’m in Hot Flash Hell!
Hot flashes and night sweats are common side effects of cancer treatment. Although hot flashes themselves are not unsafe or unhealthy, they can be extremely disruptive and distressing. The good news is that there are options available to help you find relief.
Read More...Intimate Issues with Marloe: Your Brain in the Bedroom
While it’s true that the physiological aspects of sexual functioning, like vaginal lubrication, erection, and orgasm, are impacted in part by both our hormones and the health of the blood vessels and nerves that supply our nether-regions, that’s not the whole story.
Read More...Dear Cancer, Your Fingerprints Are Everywhere
What an unforgiving companion you are.
So nonchalant,
so willing
to hollow out dreams.
Embody Your Body
Cancer is not just life-changing; it can be body-altering as well. We lose body parts to surgery and our hair with chemo. We acquire scars, develop lymphedema, and experience weight fluctuations.
Read More...Dating After Cancer: The Disclosure Dilemma
The idea of getting close to someone new after a cancer diagnosis can be nerve-wracking. I mean, cancer has changed so many things already; what if it’s also changed what a romantic relationship could look like?
Read More...Speaking of Sex: Be H.E.A.R.D.!
But often, such conversations are an important and necessary part of addressing any worries, concerns, or questions you might have about your sex life. Cancer can change how our bodies look or how they respond to sexual touch, how we feel about our appearance, and our interest in being sexual. And yeah, bringing up any of these sensitive topics with your partner can feel really awkward. But is it impossible? Of course not!
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