Loss of Sexual Desire In Patients with Cancer

17.06.2010 | By: Sanja Macur

This article will interest at least 10,000 people who are diagnosed with cancer as well as their partners who help them to deal with the problem. Read the article and learn about the possible causes for the loss of sexual desire in patients with cancer.

Loss of desire in patients with cancer can be attributed to psychological as well as physical reasons. (Photoxpress)

It is understandable that sexual desire and sex life in patients with cancer is generally pushed to the side. Not only that the patients have other problems to worry about, but the reasons can also be of completely physical nature. Let us examine both.

Loss of sexual desire because of psychological reasons

In case of psychological reasons, the patient's only wish is to get better and everything else remains in the background. During treatment the patient is faced with fear, anxiety and depression, and the treatment also disturbs the hormone balance of many patients. Many patients are afraid to inquire about their sex life and the problems related to sex life during and after the disease. The ignorance and fear of potential consequences leaves partners in doubt which additionally decreases sexual desire and interest in the partner. Therefore, it is important to ask your doctor about everything that interests you.

Loss of sexual desire because of physical reasons

The first possible reason, due to which a patient refuses or avoids sexual intercourse, is an acute or chronic pain that many times accompanies this serious disease and its treatment. Difficult surgical procedures are also accompanied by pain. Many people do not know that radiation of the male pelvis causes painful ejaculations and frequent problems with erection, because the male sexual organ contains less blood due to radiation. The operation of the prostate can cause serious complications, which make erections even more difficult for men. In men, the treatment also causes lower levels of testosterone. In women, surgical procedures and radiation of the reproductive organs cause, along with an acute pain, the inflammation of the vulva, which causes a burning pain because of which women refuse sexual intercourse.

How to face problems with sexual desire?

A number of patients have a lot of difficulties in confronting such problems, especially people who are disabled or have a deformed body due to treatment. However, where there is a will there is a way. Patients are advised to get medical treatment (that is, a surgical procedure or treatment with medications), psychotherapy (consultations with a physician) or self-help. The latter means that the patient tries to accept the changes of body caused by the disease, talk to the partner and find new ways of a satisfying sex life that suits both of them. Patients with cancer therefore do not have to exclude sexual relations from their lives.