by Dr. Sylvie Aubin, Ph.D., clinical psychologist at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Cancer survivorship is associated with adaptation to changes in multiple areas of your quality of life. To the majority of cancer survivors and their partners, couple and sexual relationships are important aspects of their quality of life and are thus significantly bothered by any negative changes, especially if irreversible. To some, these changes may even trigger or contribute to emotional distress such as depression or anxiety. Fortunately, there are many ways or interventions that are available to help you redefine and achieve satisfying couple, intimate and sexual relationships.
Regardless of your diagnosis or treatment, you may expect some changes in your sexual response, frequency and quality of sexual activities as well as overall couple intimacy. In addition to the changes in your sexual response, a number of ongoing treatment side effects may also negatively affect your couple and sexual life. These may include fatigue, low energy level, mood disturbances and physical changes altering your body/self-image. Issues of weight gain, asymmetry/growth of breasts, hot flashes, decreased urinary control and loss of muscle mass not only challenge your perception of self as an attractive and desirable partner but also your ability to experience sexual desire and pleasure.
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