Sexual Health
and cancer
Cancer and its treatment can impact your sexual health.
We’ve put together some facts on sexual health and cancer. Your cancer team is here to support you.
Top things to know about sexual health and cancer:
01
It can still be safe to be intimate during cancer treatment.
02
Unlike STIs and other infections, you can’t give anyone your cancer.
03
Sex and masturbation won’t make your cancer worse.
04
Cancer treatment may impact your body’s ability to have kids in the future.
05
It is still possible to get pregnant or get someone pregnant – use protection.
06
There can still be risks with intimacy during cancer treatment. Read on for safety tips.
How do I have conversations about sexual health and cancer with:
A trusted cancer team member? Try asking:
What do I need to know about my sexual health while getting my treatment?
A partner? Try saying:
During treatment, I’m at higher risk for infections and you could be exposed to my cancer medicines. Can we talk about protection for both of us?
What do I need to know about being safe during intimacy:
If I’m getting chemotherapy or radiation?
- Your blood counts may decrease, increasing your risk for infection (STIs, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, etc.) or bleeding.
- Depending on your counts, some types of sexual activity may be safer than others. See the chart on the next page for ways to keep intimacy safe.
- You may have burning or redness in the mouth or genitals (with chemotherapy) or specific treatment area (with radiation). Avoid activities that are uncomfortable.
- If you’re sexually active, use a condom or dental dam for 7 days after each chemo dose – to protect your partner from chemotherapy that may be in bodily fluids.
- Physical intimacy is typically safe with other types of cancer medications (antibodies, immunotherapy, hormone therapy).
If I’m having surgery?
- Most physical intimacy is safe after you recover from surgery. Ask your provider if you have specific instructions for when you can resume usual activities.
If I choose to be physically intimate,
when is it safe?
safeuse cautionavoid
| Intimacy type | Neutrophils | Platelets | Top Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kissing | Be careful if you have mouth sores. | ||
| Any type of touching (including genitals or masturbation) | Use condoms or dental dam (especially within 7 days of chemotherapy). | ||
| Oral sex | safe if >500 | Avoid if you have mouth sores. Use condoms or dental dam (especially within 7 days of chemotherapy). | |
| Vaginal sex (with hands, genitals or sex toy) | safe if >500 | safe if >20,000 | Be aware of pregnancy risks. Use condoms and lubricant (water or silicone based). |
| Anal sex (with hands, genitals or sex toy) | safe if >1,000 | safe if >50,000 | Be aware of bleeding risks. Use condoms and lubricant (water or silicone based). |
Adapted from “Sexual health guidelines for oncology patients, Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center,” as described in the manuscript McGrady, ME et al. Active AND Protected – Developing a “Safer Sex” Handout for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. Published online 2020 Oct 20. PMI 33085558.
What about fertility (ability to have children)?
Some treatments, like chemotherapy, surgery, and pelvic radiation can make it more difficult to have children in the future. Here are some things to know:
- There may be strategies to help preserve your ability to have children in the future such as freezing sperm or eggs before starting treatment.
- Ask your cancer team as soon as possible about your treatment’s risk of impacting your future ability to conceive biological children.
- Even though cancer treatment may impact fertility, there is still a chance of pregnancy with sex. Many treatments can be harmful to pregnancies. Use birth control every time.
Please let your treatment team know if you are experiencing any of these issues.
There are a lot of options available to help with these concerns.
Your sexual health and wellness are an important part of your cancer treatment. We’re here to help!
More resources are available throughout this website.
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