Dating and sex for young cancer survivors: Expert advice

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Adolescence is a time when dating and sexual experiences begin. It's normal to be concerned about how cancer affects your sex life and how your partner will react if you find out your loved one has cancer.

1. Would anyone want to date a cancer patient?

The team went on a dating site and used a group of student volunteers who acted as cancer survivors or cancer-free people to ask study participants if they were Do you want to date these people?
Results were not different when comparing dating outcomes between cancer survivors and cancer-free people. Research also shows that most people want to hear about their partner's condition after a few dates rather than before or on the first date.

2. Do you have any sexual problems yourself, and is there a solution?

In adults, studies show that a person's sex life can change after cancer or after cancer treatment. Common problems with sex in cancer patients are decreased sex drive, pain inside or outside of the vagina, penis, testicles, decreased vaginal lubrication, erection problems, difficult to arouse,... Although little researched, some studies show that childhood cancer survivors often experience sexual problems later in life. Understanding possible problems can help prepare better solutions.
A recent Swedish study sent questionnaires to 285 men and women cancer survivors between the ages of 15 and 29, regardless of fertility, physical appearance and sexual activity. The researchers compared their responses with 255 other people of similar age and sex who had never had cancer. The results showed that adolescents who survived cancer had lower sexual satisfaction compared with similar people but did not have cancer. In women, a lower frequency of orgasms is associated with vaginal dryness and pain. Depression is also linked. In men, sexual interest is markedly impaired in cancer survivors, mainly due to erectile dysfunction.
Sexual problems are often solved by simplicity. For example, women who experience vaginal dryness during sex can use lubricants. It is possible that through treatment, the ovaries are not producing enough female hormones to keep the vagina sufficiently lubricated, so if vaginal pain during sex is really the problem, it is most likely due to lack of estrogen. female hormones. In this case, see your doctor to consider whether an estrogen cream should be used. With problems of sexual arousal, orgasm, erection need to be examined and resolved with a specialist doctor.

3. Are there any problems with fertility?

Another recent study found that teen cancer survivors are concerned about their ability to have children later in life. Not all cancer treatments affect the ovaries or testicles. Some chemotherapy and radiation therapy can affect fertility (because it destroys eggs and sperm). But for patients who received treatment in childhood, they may still have eggs or sperm in their ovaries or testicles. If you're concerned about your fertility after previous cancer treatment, talk to your doctor one year before trying to conceive so your doctor can have enough time to do all the exams, tests, and tests. counseling, choosing solutions (including fertility support measures if necessary).

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Article referenced source: cancer.net