Sex, sexuality and cancer
Cancer and its treatments might affect your sex life. It can help to know what is normal for you so that you can understand any changes that happen.
Some people find it hard to talk about their sexuality and sex life.
Cancer and treatment may mean that you can't have sex or do not feel like it. These issues might feel very private. But if you have any worries it might help to talk to a close friend or your partner about them.
If you are in a relationship, you might try to keep your concerns to yourself. Your behaviour may confuse your partner. They may feel rejected or think that you no longer love them or feel attracted to them.
If you and your partner stop having sex it often affects other types of intimacy. You might avoid hugging and kissing. This is because you worry that it could arouse your partner and then upset them because you don’t want to go on and have sex.
Sometimes people with cancer avoid physical contact with their partner. This is because they are unhappy with changes to their body.
Some types of cancer or treatment might affect a man's ability to have or keep an erection. Men might worry that they cannot pleasure their partners anymore. It is important to allow time to come to terms with changes to the body.
It might not seem like it now, but in time most people are able to enjoy a physical and loving relationship with a partner. It might be a bit different from what you were used to.
Read more about sex and cancer for partners
If you're able to talk to your partner about your worries, you will both gradually get used to your new situation. And things will feel less awkward. A caring and loving partner can help to ease your concerns. You might also find it helpful to talk to your doctor or nurse about how you are feeling. They might suggest that you and your partner have some counselling to support you through this difficult time.
You might feel less confident about sex because of changes in your appearance, such as scarring. Or changes to your physical ability, such as erection problems. You might avoid getting into a relationship as a result.
It might help to talk to a close friend or counsellor about how you are feeling.
Last reviewed: 27 Sept 2024
Next review due: 27 Sept 2027
Counselling means someone listens to you in a supportive way.
Get information about practical issues, confidence, emotions, and changes in your body.
Find information about how cancer and treatment might affect your sexuality. Read about what might help.
Get information on how to cope with the changes that cancer, or cancer treatment, might have on your sex life.
Search for the cancer type you want to find out about. Each section has detailed information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, research and coping with cancer.
Cancer and its treatments can affect sex and sexuality. Get information and support for people with cancer, partners and single people.
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