 | How you might feelIt is common to feel shocked and upset about having cancer in such an intimate area of your body. Changes to the look and feel of your body can make you feel self-conscious and have less interest in sex. You could also feel embarrassed and scared to ask for help. These feelings are natural. A side effect of chemoradiation can also be less interest in sex.For more on this, see Emotions and cancer. |
 | Possible side effectsSide effects of chemoradiation can cause sex to be painful. Pelvic radiation therapy can narrow the vagina and lead to thinning of the walls and dryness. The skin inside the anus may become sensitive. Ask your doctor about dilators, lubricants and moisturiser. Anal penetration may also not be possible, at least for a period of time.For more on this, see Radiation therapy. |
 | Explore different waysHow you used to enjoy having sex may be more difficult or not possible after treatment. This can be upsetting, but you can find new ways to become aroused. You may want to try: switching sexual roles; oral sex; exploring different erogenous zones; mutual masturbation; genital rubbing; personal lubricants; vibrators and other sex toys.For more on this, see Sexuality, intimacy and cancer. |
 | Talk to someoneIt can help to share how you’re feeling about the diagnosis and treatment side effects, and how it may be impacting your relationships and sex life. Talking with a specialist such as a counsellor, sex therapist or psychologist can help. Ask your doctor for a referral, and you can also call Cancer Council 13 11 20.For more on this, see Emotions and cancer and Living well after cancer. |
→ READ MORE: Life after treatment for anal cancer
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Glen Guerra, Colorectal Surgeon, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and St Vincents Hospital Melbourne, VIC; Holly Davey, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Queensland; Prof Peter Gibbs, Laboratory Head, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, The University of Melbourne, Medical Oncologist, Western Hospital, VIC; A/Prof Ian Faragher, The University of Melbourne, Head of Colorectal and General Surgery Unit, Western Health, VIC; Justin Hargreaves, Medical Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Bendigo Health Cancer Centre, VIC; Prof Richard Hillman, Senior Staff Specialist, HIV and Immunology, St Vincent’s Health Network, Sydney, Conjoint Professor, St Vincent’s Clinical Campus and The Kirby Institute, NSW; A/Prof George Hruby, Radiation Oncologist, Royal North Shore Hospital, Visiting Radiation Oncologist, Genesiscare and Dubbo Base Hospital, NSW; Annie Jacobs, Consumer; Mariad O’Gorman, Clinical Psychologist, Bankstown Cancer Therapy Centre, NSW; Terry Scully, Consumer.
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