TaTa Wars

Vol. 8 The More You Know Here is a cheat sheet addressing sexual health problems and cancer treatment. I found it online & made some modifications, and hopefully it will be helpful. Chart of female sexual problems & cancer treatment Treatment Low sexual desire Less vaginal moisture Reduced vaginal size Painful intercourse Trouble reaching orgasm Infertility Chemotherapy Sometimes Often Rarely – only if linked to menopause Often Rarely Often Pelvic radiation therapy Often, if sex is linked with pain Often Often Often Rarely Often Radical hysterectomy Rarely Often* Often Rarely Rarely Always Radical cystectomy Rarely Often* Always Sometimes Sometimes Always Abdominoperineal (AP) resection Rarely Often* Sometimes Sometimes Rarely Sometimes* Total pelvic exenteration with vaginal reconstruction Sometimes Always Sometimes

Vol. 7 Ways Cancer Treatment Affects Sex Sexuality is definitely affected by cancer. There are many aspects of sexual health that are changed by treatments, especially chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and hormone-therapies. A 2007 follow-up report on young breast cancer survivors, conducted by researchers at the University of California-Berkeley, found that some women reported persistent sexual difficulties five years after their treatment had ended. And according to the National Cancer Institute, about one out of every two women who’ve undergone breast cancer treatment experiences long-term sexual dysfunction. Many women face sexuality problems due to cancer treatment and feel like they have no help. It may be they are too embarrassed. It may be they feel they should focus on cancer and not sex. It may be the doctor does not discuss it first. The reality is - women are having sexual health issues during and after treatment. Which is why I have been writing this blog series!

Vol. 6 - Rediscovering Sex If you were orgasmic before treatment, you will most likely be able to achieve orgasm afterwards, but it might take more work. So, ladies... this one is for you... and for the guys who want to encourage desire and achieve orgasms. Oh, but I have Sex-Anxiety... Some people have an anxiety about sex... especially after cancer. So much has changed, both physically and mentally. There is the pressure to satisfy your partner. There is pressure that your partner may not find you attractive anymore. There is pressure that you may not find you attractive any more. There is pressure to... insert anything here ! After everything you have gone through, you now have to rediscover yourself. ( Read this blog post about self-discovery and acceptance .) Not only do you have to know what you like, you need to facilitate open and positive communication with your partner. ( Read this blog post about how to talk about sex .) Yet, there can still be a lingering concer

Vol. 5 - Physical Responses The way we see ourselves and the way we believe our partner sees us affects our sexuality. The past two blog posts provided some insight into how to address self-image issues. Yet, there are some physical responses our body goes through that affect sexual pleasure. During cancer treatment, the desire for sexual activity can decrease. Naturally, the first focus is on surviving. But sex pleasure is an important part of one's health. Cancer treatments create a number of physical ailments making sexual pleasure more challenging. Over time the desire for sex may increase, but side effects and hormone therapies may alter or deter sexual desire. Let's be honest, medically induced menopause is abrupt and intense... the slow changes that normally would happen do not occur... you are just instantly thrown in menopause. Plus, many women have to take estrogen blocking cancer drugs triggering menopause or menopausal symptoms. Like dealing with cancer isn&#