The Impact of Radiation on Sexuality and Intimacy
Radiation therapy is often used either as the initial therapy or after surgery in a fair number of women with gynecologic cancers. Radiation therapy kills cancer cells, but in doing so also has an effect on normal surrounding organs and tissues. The pelvic floor, bladder, rectum and top of the vagina are the most common affected organs when treating cervical or uterine cancers. Often times, these tissues will get irritated and inflamed during the 5-6 weeks of active treatment. Pain or discomfort, vaginal discharge and swelling or redness in the area is common. Associated diarrhea or urinary burning or symptoms may make sexual relations difficult during treatment.
Often cervical cancer is primarily treated with radiation therapy along with chemotherapy. In some occasions, vaginal and vulvar cancer are also treated initially with radiation therapy. Treating the vagina with radiation can cause vaginal discharge, burning with urination, and rectal inflammation. Vaginal stenosis, or narrowing, may also occur and can occur long after the treatment is finished. Frequent intercourse if you have a partner or using vaginal dilators can help. If you feel discomfort at the start of intercourse, you may want to use dilators several times a week until the vagina is tretched or better used to having something inside. Doing so can keep the canal open and let you know when you feel comfortable enough for intercourse. Lubrication is also beneficial. You should try different products to see what is right for you. Your doctor may prescribe an estrogen cream to keep the vagina get moist and elastic. Also, instead or in addition to using the medically prescribed dilators, feel free to shop for something more fun (such as a dildo) but do discuss this with your doctor to make sure the product is safe to use.