Sexuality, intimacy and cancer

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Sex during treatment

• Will this treatment affect my sex life or libido?
• What are the risks of treatment? Is there any chance this could permanently affect my sex life?
• What can be done so I can keep enjoying sex and preserve sexual function?
• How will this treatment affect my hormones?
• Will this treatment affect my fertility? What can I do about it?
• What changes are likely to be temporary? How long will they last? Are any changes permanent?
• What treatment options are available to help with sexual issues after cancer?
• When is it safe to have sex again?
• When can I expect to feel like, or enjoy, having sex or being intimate again? How soon can I masturbate?
• I want to have sex but I have no sexual thoughts and find it hard to feel aroused. What can I do?

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Side effects and safety concerns

• What sort of problems might we experience during intercourse or penetration?
• Should we take any precautions when having sex?
• What kind of contraception should we use and for how long? Is it safe to get pregnant?
• I am having trouble feeling confident about my body and reaching orgasm. Will it always be like this?
• I’m afraid I can’t satisfy my partner any more. What can I do?
• Sex doesn’t feel the same as it used to. What can I do?
• Is there anything I should be careful about when I have sex?
• Will the cancer come back if I have sex?
• I just don’t have any feelings of sexual desire any more, is there anything that could help?
• Are there complementary therapies I could try? Or over-the-counter products I should avoid?
• Can you refer me to a sex therapist?
• Will I still experience the same sexual sensations after having this treatment?
• Will menopause hormone therapy be necessary? Or can it be beneficial?
• I have vaginal dryness. What do you recommend?
• Is it safe to use an oestrogen cream?
• I have pain when we try to have intercourse. What’s going on and how can I get help?
• How can I stretch my vagina? Is it safe and who can help me learn about vaginal dilators?
• How can I manage the symptoms of menopause?
• Why can’t I get an erection? Will this be temporary?
• What are the options if I can’t get an erection?
• Why don’t I ejaculate anymore?
• What can I do if I have pain during sex or when I get an erection?
• What are the fertility preservation options available to me?

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LGBTQI+ specific questions

• Is this clinic LGBTQI+ friendly?
• Can you recommend a sex therapist who is LGBTQI+ friendly?
• Will you include my partner in discussions about my sexual concerns and treatment options?
• How will cancer treatment interact with gender affirmation hormones?
• Do you know of any LGBTQI+ support groups?