We have all had a family member, friend, acquaintance or colleague, or possibly even yourself, undergo surgery or treatment for cancer.

In all cases we worry, and we seek to resolve the different areas that surround us that may be affected, for example the main one would be the family, the partner, it may be preceded by the work, social, religious part.

But have you ever stopped to think about sex life during cancer treatment? Or is it simply a matter of stopping sex? For example, is it possible to have sex? How often? Or, in the worst-case scenario, have you wondered if the sexual area is affected during cancer treatment?

Sex, sexuality, and intimacy are just as important to people with cancer as they are to people without cancer. In fact, sexuality and intimacy have been shown to help people facing cancer cope with feelings of distress and get through treatment. However, the reality is that a person's sexual organs, sex drive (sexual desire or libido), sexual function, well-being, and body image can all be affected by cancer and its treatment. They can also affect how a person expresses their sexuality.

To provide you with one of the best articles, we've done some research with couples who have undergone breast cancer treatment and how they've managed to address the issue of sexuality within their relationships. This article is also aimed at adult women who want to learn more about how cancer and its treatment can affect their sex lives.

The first step: good communication

It's important to know that you can get answers to your questions and help if you're facing sexual problems. The first step is to talk about sexuality (without shame or taboos, without guilt or fear) with your doctor or partner and a member of your cancer care team.

Don't assume your doctor or nurse will ask about these or any other concerns you have about sexuality. Many studies have found that doctors, nurses, and other members of a healthcare team don't always ask about sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity during medical checkups and treatment visits. It's often overlooked, but you're the one who should be asking, so feel free to do so.

Questions you can ask:

You probably already have certain questions and doubts in your mind.

Below are some suggested questions you may want to ask your doctor or nurse, which you can use to start conversations with your healthcare team about having sex during and after treatment:

• How might the treatment affect my sex life?
• Is it safe to have sex now? If not, when will it be okay to have sex?
• Are there any types of sex I should avoid?
• Do I need to use contraception or protection during treatment? And afterwards? For how long?
• Can my medications or treatments be transmitted to my partner through my bodily fluids?
• What safety measures do I need to take and for how long? What contraceptive should I use? For how long?
• And all the doubts that may arise from these.

The second step: understanding how your body works

It is essential that you know about the female sexual organs.

A woman's genitals and reproductive organs are located in the pelvis (lower abdomen). Some of the organs found in the pelvis, including the sex organs and other nearby organs, are explained below. Cancer of any of these organs, or cancer treatment in this area, can affect your sex life.

• Uterus
• Fallopian tube
• Ovaries
• Cervix
• Vagina
• Vulva
• Bladder
• Straight

Many women have never explored their genitals, and may not know for sure the location of each part.

If you feel comfortable doing so, take a few minutes with a handheld mirror to examine yourself.

The outer part is called the vulva.

You'll find the outer lips (labia majora) and the inner lips (labia minora), which act like cushions to protect the sensitive areas in the center. Many women find pleasure in gently touching the inner lips.

Next, locate the clitoris, a small bump covered by a small hood of skin. It is located in the center, above the opening of the vagina. The clitoris is the part of a woman's body most sensitive to pleasure through caresses.

Just below it is a tiny slit through which urine comes out. This is the opening of a short tube (the urethra) that drains the bladder (the bag for storing urine).

Below the vaginal opening is the anus, from which feces are expelled. The anus is located at the end of the digestive system. Some women enjoy being touched around and even inside the anus.

If you or a partner insert a finger or sex toy into the anus, do not use it to stroke the vagina afterward. Proper hygiene is vital for healthy sexual function, and doing so could cause an infection with bacteria that are healthy in the anus but not in the vagina.

Front view of a woman's vulva

You can also lightly touch each area to discover where it is most sensitive.

Based on this exploration, you can start recording and it's worth asking yourself the following questions:

Has your cancer treatment changed the appearance of your external genitalia in any way? If so, take some time to get used to the changes.

Check for any areas that are sore or more sensitive. Share what you've learned about yourself with your partner. Work together to have sex that satisfies you both.

Stay tuned for the second part of this article where we will be addressing the topics of "The natural cycles of a mature woman's body", as well as the third recommendation to be able to address the topic of sexuality with your partner and about the female orgasm.

Written by: Karin Garcia
@scienceandpassion
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