How can I be proactive in preserving my sex life or fertility?
If patients know about rehabilitation therapies and hormone monitoring, they can often begin to implement these right away — rather than suffering the ill effects in silence, and risk compounding the trouble.
As an overview, "We [as a profession] sort of sweep this under the rug only to have patients come back when they are having problems later, saying, 'I feel totally damaged, my partner is unhappy, we have no intimate contact, and now I don't know how to even talk about it, '" says, Sharon Bober, Ph.D., director of the sexual health program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. "So it may have started with vaginal dryness, but now they have libido and communication problems, too."
If such a woman had been told about topical estrogens, or even simple drug store/retail lubricating products early on, such trouble could be prevented.
Gregory Broderick, M.D., a urologic surgeon at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, and past president of the Sexual Medicine Society of North America, strongly advocates hormone monitoring once cancer treatment is over. Hormonal therapies can prevent urinary tract infections in women and restore libido in men and women, even in some women and men with breast cancer or prostate cancer. It is worth noting, though, that hormone therapies can be complicated and at times carry risks of their own.
As for fertility preservation, thanks to newsworthy advances and programs such as Fertile Hope, a national LIVESTRONG initiative (fertilehope.org), Bober says, "I think fertility preservation is on the agenda" of most doctors in oncology, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't ask.
You may also be interested in...
Other Popular Articles
What Is Jelqing, and Does It Actually Work?
The term “jelqing” refers to a set of penis stretching exercises that some believe can make the penis bigger. Although the practice has gained attention and popularity in blogs and internet forums in recent years, there is no scientific evidence that it is an effective way to permanently increase the size of one’s penis. In fact, in some cases, jelqing may actually cause damage to the penis, so it is a good idea to get all the facts before setting off to try it.
What Is Sensate Focus and How Does It Work?
Sensate focus is a technique used to improve intimacy and communication between partners around sex, reduce sexual performance anxiety, and shift away from ingrained, goal-oriented sexual patterns that may not be serving a couple.
What Is the Average Penis Size?
If you have ever wondered how your penis compares to others in terms of size, you are not alone. Many men are curious to know how their penises stack up compared to the average. Unfortunately, general curiosity can sometimes give way to full-on obsession and anxiety about penis size. This can be an unhealthy and often unnecessary fixation, especially because most men who think their penises are too small have perfectly normal-sized penises.
Can Sex Reduce Menstrual Cramps?
The SMSNA periodically receives and publishes ‘guest editorials.’ The current article was submitted by Mia Barnes, a freelance writer and researcher who specializes in women's health, wellness, and healthy living. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.
Having sex while you experience menstrual cramps is healthy and can provide significant benefits. While it might not be the first activity that comes to mind when your PMS or period cramping begins, many people enjoy sex to reduce menstrual cramps, experience increased pleasure and benefit from other advantages. Learn more about having sex while menstrual cramps are happening and how it can help your body.
The Effect of Regular Aerobic Exercise on Erectile Function
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. As men get older, their erectile functioning may naturally decline due to changes in testosterone levels, cardiovascular functioning, and the potential development of other chronic medical conditions that become more common with age.
What Is Edging and Why Do People Do It?
Edging is the practice of stopping sexual stimulation before reaching orgasm to prolong a sexual experience. The term stems from the concept of approaching the metaphorical “edge” of orgasm but stopping before going over the edge.
