beyond pink team
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Board
    • Annual Report
    • Contact Us
  • Support
    • Physical
    • Emotional
    • Community
    • Financial
    • Caregiver
    • Online
  • Education
    • Newsletter
    • Ignite the Cancer Conversation
    • Quality Care
    • Resources
    • Request Speaker
    • The Cancer Journey
  • Advocacy
    • What is Advocacy
    • National Breast Cancer Coalition
    • Iowa Stop Breast Cancer
    • Research
    • Influencing Policy
    • Access to Care
  • Join Us
    • Be an Advocate
    • Volunteer
    • Events >
      • 16th Annual Pink Ribbon Run
    • Membership
    • Donate to BPT
    • Follow Us
 If you are Breast Cancer Survivor and  you would like to contribute your story to our Newsletter, 
​please send us a message here.
DOWNLOAD Current NewsletteR

Categories

All
Advocacy
Bone Health
Breast Density
Breast Disease
Caregivers
COVID 19
COVID-19
Emotional Support
Environment
Exercise
Fatigue
Financial
Gender
Genetic Testing
Grief
High Risk
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Ignite
Implants
Intimacy After Cancer
LGBTQ
Lymphedema
Mammography
Meditation
Men
Mental Health
Metastasis
MRI
NBCC
Nutrition
Obesity
Pain
Pregnancy
Prevention
Radiation
Reconstruction
Reduce Risk
Rehabilitation
Screening
Sex
Side Effects
Support Groups
Surgery
Survivor
Survivorship
Treatment
Vaccine
Yoga
Young Women

Archives

January 2023
October 2022
July 2022
April 2022
January 2022
October 2021
July 2021
April 2021
January 2021
October 2020
July 2020
April 2020
January 2020
October 2019
July 2019
April 2019
January 2019
October 2018
July 2018
April 2018
January 2018
October 2017
July 2017
April 2017
January 2017
October 2016
July 2016
April 2016
January 2016
October 2015
July 2015
April 2015
January 2015
October 2014
July 2014
April 2014
January 2014
October 2013
July 2013
April 2013
January 2013
October 2012
July 2012
April 2012
January 2012
October 2011
July 2011
April 2011
January 2011
October 2010
July 2010
April 2010
January 2010
October 2009
July 2009
April 2009
January 2009
October 2008
July 2008
April 2008
January 2008
October 2007
July 2007
April 2007
January 2007
October 2006
July 2006
April 2006
January 2006
October 2005
July 2005
April 2005
January 2005
October 2004
July 2004
April 2004
January 2004

Reclaiming Intimacy after Cancer

10/1/2012

0 Comments

 
By Connie Rasmussen, DGN ARNP

Young women with cancer have special issues not often addressed with diagnosis, related to sexuality and relationships. Chemotherapy can affect ovarian function and cause premature menopause.

Who wants to have a vagina of an 80 year old when you are not? Cancer treatments affect self-esteem, sexuality and relationships. Most side effects of treatment are temporary and life becomes more normal after the treatment period.

Sex and sexuality are important parts of everyday life. Sexuality affects our zest for living, our self image and relationships with other. Yet patients often do not talk about the effects of treatment or their sex lives due to embarrassment, feelings of being exposed, and it being an awkward topic. When you first think of restarting sexual activity you may be afraid it will be painful.

I would venture to guess that your first session of lovemaking was not what you expected. Have faith your vagina is a very forgiving organ. In other words, I would recommend you use it or lose it. You can bring your body back to a normal functional state and bring back pleasure as well, with a few simple choices. Cancer treatments often reduce the amount of moisture your vagina produces. You may need to use extra lubricants to make intercourse more comfortable.

Choose water base or natural oil based lubricants, avoid gels with perfumes, coloring, spermicides or flavors as the chemical can irritate already sensitive skin. Common brands include K-Y Jelly, Astroglide or Lubrin. Be aware of herbal extracts such as aloe or lavender. These may cause irritation and in some cases, allergic reactions. Also, avoid any of the warming gels as these can cause burning.

Replens and K-Y Liquidbeads are moisturizers that can be used 2-3 times a week to help keep the vagina moist. Astroglide and Lubrin last longer than most lubricants. Olive oil and vegetable oil are natural oil based lubricants that are less expensive and are not irritating to you or your partner. Crisco shortening may be used as a moisture barrier. Vitamin E gel caps can also be used as a moisturizer but be aware they may stain.

Some women do well with vaginal hormones. They come in gel, cream, ring and tablet form. Talk to your physician regarding these options.

Vaseline, skin lotions and other oil based lubricants may not be a good choice as they may cause irritation and yeast infections. If latex condoms are used they can be damaged by petroleum products. Condoms or gels that contain nonoxynol-9 can be irritating to already dry fragile tissues. Even if you use a vaginal moisturizer you may still need to use a lubricant before and during sex.

Make sure you feel aroused and use large amounts of lubricant prior to intercourse. If not well lubricated prior to intercourse you may experience dryness and pain. The risk of bladder infection is also increased if you have dryness or pain. Let your partner know if any type of touching causes pain. Try a position that lets you control the depth of penetration and movement.

Vaginal dilators are an option, especially after radiation of the pelvis, cervix or vagina. Using dilators keeps your vagina from getting tight with scar tissue after treatments. Dilators work best when used early after radiation or surgery to prevent shrinkage. If you go for many months without intercourse, it is important to use a dilator to keep your vagina in shape.

Premature menopause because of cancer treatment can cause hot flashes and night sweats making one sticky and sweaty. Most are not desperate for the same when having sex. Tell your partner what you want and need. Communication, communication, communication is the key to building a successful relationship and returning to normal after cancer treatment.


​
Read Full Newsletter
0 Comments

Reclaiming Intimacy after Cancer

7/1/2009

0 Comments

 
By Connie Rasmussen, DGN ARNP

Young women with cancer have special issues not often addressed with diagnosis, related to sexuality and relationships. Chemotherapy can affect ovarian function and cause premature menopause. Who wants to have a vagina of an 80 year old when you are not? Cancer treatments affect self-esteem, sexuality and relationships. Most side effects of treatment are temporary and life becomes more normal after the treatment period.

Sex and sexuality are important parts of everyday life. Sexuality affects our zest for living, our self image and relationships with other. Yet patients often do not talk about the effects of treatment or their sex lives due to embarrassment, feelings of being exposed, and it being an awkward topic. When you first think of restarting sexual activity you may be afraid it will be painful.

I would venture to guess that your first session of lovemaking was not what you expected. Have faith your vagina is a very forgiving organ. In other words, I would recommend you use it or lose it. You can bring your body back to a normal functional state and bring back pleasure as well, with a few simple choices. Cancer treatments often reduce the amount of moisture your vagina produces. You may need to use extra lubricants to make intercourse more comfortable.

Choose water base or natural oil based lubricants, avoid gels with perfumes, coloring, spermicides or flavors as the chemical can irritate already sensitive skin. Common brands include K-Y Jelly, Astroglide or Lubrin. Be aware of herbal extracts such as aloe or lavender. These may cause irritation and in some cases, allergic reactions. Also, avoid any of the warming gels as these can cause burning.

Replens and K-Y Liquidbeads are moisturizers that can be used 2-3 times a week to help keep the vagina moist. Astroglide and Lubrin last longer than most lubricants. Olive oil and vegetable oil are natural oil based lubricants that are less expensive and are not irritating to you or your partner. Crisco shortening may be used as a moisture barrier. Vitamin E gel caps can also be used as a moisturizer but be aware they may stain.

Some women do well with vaginal hormones. They come in gel, cream, ring and tablet form. Talk to your physician regarding these options. Vaseline, skin lotions and other oil based lubricants are not good choices as they may cause irritation and yeast infections. If latex condoms are used they can be damaged by petroleum products.

​Condoms or gels that contain nonoxynol-9 can be irritating to already dry fragile tissues. Even if you use a vaginal moisturizer you may still need to use a lubricant before and during sex.

Make sure you feel aroused and use large amounts of lubricant prior to intercourse. If not well lubricated prior to intercourse you may experience dryness and pain. The risk of bladder infection is also increased if you have dryness or pain. Let your partner know if any type of touching causes pain. Try a position that lets you control the depth of penetration and movement.

Vaginal dilators are an option, especially after radiation of the pelvis, cervix or vagina. Using dilators keeps your vagina from getting tight with scar tissue after treatments. Dilators work best when used early after radiation or surgery to prevent shrinkage. If you go for many months without intercourse, it is important to use a dilator to keep your vagina in shape.

Premature menopause because of cancer treatment can cause hot flashes and night sweats making one sticky and sweaty. Most are not desperate for the same when having sex. Tell your partner what you want and need. Communication, communication, communication is the key to building a successful relationship and returning to normal after cancer treatment. 


​
Read Full Newsletter
0 Comments

CONTACT US

Beyond Pink TEAM
c/o Jeanne Olson, Treasurer
1407 Asbury Lane
Waterloo, IA 50701
​beyondpinkteam@gmail.com
(319) 239-3706
©2020 Beyond Pink TEAM
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our Board
    • Annual Report
    • Contact Us
  • Support
    • Physical
    • Emotional
    • Community
    • Financial
    • Caregiver
    • Online
  • Education
    • Newsletter
    • Ignite the Cancer Conversation
    • Quality Care
    • Resources
    • Request Speaker
    • The Cancer Journey
  • Advocacy
    • What is Advocacy
    • National Breast Cancer Coalition
    • Iowa Stop Breast Cancer
    • Research
    • Influencing Policy
    • Access to Care
  • Join Us
    • Be an Advocate
    • Volunteer
    • Events >
      • 16th Annual Pink Ribbon Run
    • Membership
    • Donate to BPT
    • Follow Us