Side Effects of Radiation Therapy After Breast Cancer
Which radiation-related side effects can impact my sexual desire?
Some side effects of radiation therapy include loss of hair on the scalp and/or in the genital area and diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Some women may lose their eye lashes and eyebrows. Obviously, if you are having specific complaints, you may not feel sexy or in the mood for sexual activity.
Sometimes fatigue or exhaustion will prevail, and you’ll need to rest, which is the most self nurturing thing you can do. Post radiation symptoms can individually or cumulatively contribute to a lack of libido or interest in physical intimacy and a sense of feeling “unsexy.” The side effects of radiation are often self-limiting and subside after treatment has been completed.
As with any cancer treatment, sexual communication between the survivor and her partner is important. A woman’s partner may often feel “helpless” to assist through the difficulties of radiation therapy. He or she may welcome the opportunity to comfort her through any means (offering ice chips, assisting with the children, etc.); this can demonstrate intimacy in a variety of nonsexual ways.
Term:
Post radiation – symptoms can individually or cumulatively contribute to a lack of libido or interest in physical intimacy and a sense of feeling “unsexy.”
What if I’m too fatigued from my treatment to think about sex?
Periods of intense fatigue often accompany radiation therapy. Fatigue often begins after several weeks of treatment and can last for several weeks or months after radiation has been completed. Loss of energy is temporary and need not be disabling.
Cope with this by napping and going to bed earlier. One very active woman described the period when she received radiation for breast cancer as “pure hell.” She related the experience of lying in bed, completely drained of energy and vitality, while her partner silently held her in a “spoon position.”
This was their “sex” for the weeks of radiation treatment. His quiet support during this difficult time contributed to her feelings of connectedness to him and sexual desire for him after completion of radiation.
Give yourself some time to manage the treatments. Allow yourself time to rest, and let sexual expression take on new forms, like hugging. Sexual activity may be limited for a short time, but so are radiation treatments. Give yourself the opportunity to be tired and cope with your cancer treatments. Set limits, and learn to say no. Sometimes “toughing it out and fighting through fatigue” is not the correct answer.
Magnolia Myrick:
Yes. There were certainly times when I was tired. And while I did not push myself unreasonably, I did convince myself to keep moving-even if at a snail’s pace, even if it was 20 minutes of easy-as-pie yoga, even if it was a walk around the block, even if I totally didn’t feel like it.
I always felt better afterward. Simple exercises for balance and flexibility are two important components of fitness, particularly as we age, and they don’t require a great deal of exertion. The benefits are worth the effort. For me, yoga is a great solution. It can be active or gentle, long or short, depending on how I’m feeling that day.
I also find yoga makes me feel more “in my body,” and that definitely makes me feel sexier. I still can’t touch the floor without bending my knees, but the last time I checked I didn’t need to do that to have great sex.
Sexual activity may be limited for a short time, but so are radiation treatments. Give yourself the opportunity to be tired and cope with your cancer treatments.
