Having cervical cancer can affect your sexuality in physical and emotional ways. The impact of these changes depends on many things, such as the treatments you have and any side effects, whether you have a partner, and your overall self-confidence.
Sex and desire after treatment
 | How you might feelIt’s common to feel shocked or upset about having cancer in such an intimate part of your body. Changes to how your body looks and feels, along with treatment-related hormone changes, can affect your confidence and interest in sex. You might also feel embarrassed or unsure about asking for help. These feelings are natural.See more on Emotions and cancer. |
 | Being intimateGive yourself time. Touching, hugging and kissing can help you feel close without expecting sex. You might try oral sex, mutual masturbation, or sex toys. Use water-or silicone-based lubricants to make penetration more comfortable. If you have vaginal dryness, talk to your doctor about hormone creams or vaginal moisturisers. See more on Sex, 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 professional such as a counsellor, sex therapist or psychologist can help. Ask your doctor for a referral. You can also call Cancer Council 13 11 20 for more information. |
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Dr Antonia Jones, Gynaecological Oncologist, Royal Women’s Hospital and Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, VIC; Angelyn Aligarbes, Consumer; A/Prof Emma Allanson, Gynaecological Oncologist and Head of Dept, Gynaecologic Oncology, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, WA; Gemma Busuttil, Radiation Therapist Specialist, Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Laura Carman, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council VIC; Danielle Carpenter, Gynaecology Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Pearly Khaw, Lead Radiation Oncologist – Gynae-Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Georgina Richter, Gynae-Oncology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Royal Adelaide Hospital, SA; A/Prof Megan Smith, Research Fellow, Cancer Elimination Collaboration, University of Sydney, NSW; Sophia Wooldridge, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Hunter New England Centre for Gynaecological Cancer, John Hunter Hospital, NSW; Melissa Whalen, Consumer.
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