It’s common to feel tired and lack energy during and after cancer and its treatment. This can last for weeks, months or years and affects everyone differently. Fatigue may cause you to lose interest in sex or be too tired to take an active role. Your partner may also be tired, and not feel like sex.
Tips for managing fatigue
- Do some regular light to moderate exercise. This has been shown to reduce fatigue. Even a walk around the block can help. An exercise physiologist or physiotherapist can suggest exercises suited to you.
- Plan some time to rest before having sex.
- Use memories and fantasies, or erotic material to spark your interest.
- Try being intimate at different times of the day.
- Talk to an occupational therapist, cancer nurse or Cancer Council 13 11 20 consultant about ways to manage fatigue.
- Spend time being affectionate with your partner – hugging, kissing and holding hands can help you feel close when you’re too tired for sex.
Learn more about fatigue and cancer.
Podcast: Managing Cancer Fatigue
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More resources
Dr Michael Lowy, Sexual Health Physician, Sydney Men’s Health, NSW; Gregory Bock, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Oncology Coordinator, Urology Cancer Nurse Coordination Service, Cancer Network WA; Anita Brown-Major, Occupational Therapist and Director, Thrive Rehab, VIC; Helena Green, Psychosexual Therapist and Clinical Sexologist, Insync for Life Psychology and Women Centre, WA; Dr Lisa Mackenzie, Clinical Psychologist, HNE Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, Hunter New England Local Health District, NSW; Dr Tonia Mezzini, Sexual Health Physician, East Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SA; Sophie Otto, Prostate Cancer Nurse Consultant – Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN), SA; Giovanna Raco, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council Victoria; Kath Schubach, Urology Nurse Practitioner, VIC; Emily Stevens, Gynaecology Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Flinders Medical Centre, SA; Anja Vukovic, Clinical Specialist Social Worker, Gynaecological Oncology, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Alan White, Consumer; Kathleen Wilkins, Consumer; Merran Williams, Consumer.
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