Sexual Health & Fertility
Cancer treatment affects sexual function through hormonal changes, nerve damage, fatigue, body image, anxiety, and vaginal or erectile tissue changes. Fertility can be permanently compromised by some treatments. These are legitimate medical concerns that should be openly discussed with the oncology team.
Herbs & Supplements — Safety Information
Herbal information is for educational purposes. Many herbs interact with chemotherapy and other medications — consult your oncologist before use.
When to Seek Medical Help Immediately
- •Painful intercourse that does not improve with vaginal moisturisers
- •Complete loss of libido causing significant distress
- •Fertility concerns before starting treatment (time-sensitive — egg/sperm banking needed quickly)
- •Urinary incontinence or severe erectile dysfunction
3 Natural Remedies
Vaginal Moisturisers & Lubricants
Best for: Vaginal dryness from chemotherapy-induced menopause, aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen
Vaginal atrophy and dryness from oestrogen loss (chemo-induced menopause, aromatase inhibitors) causes pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), discomfort, and increased UTI risk. Non-hormonal vaginal moisturisers (used regularly, not just during intercourse) maintain vaginal tissue health. Water-based lubricants are essential for comfortable intimacy.
🧪 How to Prepare
Vaginal moisturisers (Replens, hyaluronic acid-based products): use 3×/week regularly regardless of sexual activity. Lubricants (water-based or silicone-based): use during any sexual activity. Avoid: petroleum-based products (damage condoms), glycerin-containing products (can cause yeast infections), flavoured products.
⏰ When to Take
Moisturisers: every 2–3 days. Lubricants: as needed.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Best for: Post-prostatectomy incontinence, post-gynaecological surgery, pelvic pain, dyspareunia
Cancer treatment (particularly prostate, gynaecological, colorectal) causes pelvic floor dysfunction affecting urinary control, bowel function, and sexual function. A pelvic floor physiotherapist uses biofeedback, internal and external techniques to retrain muscle coordination — addressing both overactive (causing pain/tension) and underactive (causing leakage) pelvic floors.
🧪 How to Prepare
Referral to a certified pelvic floor physiotherapist. Course of 6–12 weekly sessions is typical. Home exercise programme provided.
⏰ When to Take
Can begin during treatment (if cleared by oncologist) or after surgery/radiation. Earlier is generally better.
Fertility Preservation — Act Before Treatment
Best for: Any cancer patient of reproductive age before starting gonadotoxic treatment
Egg freezing, embryo banking, sperm banking, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation must be organised BEFORE chemotherapy or radiation begins — some cause irreversible sterility within the first cycle. Even if preserving fertility is uncertain priority now, the window is narrow and banking options should be discussed with the oncology team immediately at diagnosis.
🧪 How to Prepare
Ask your oncologist on first or second appointment: 'Does my treatment affect fertility, and should I see a fertility specialist?' Sperm banking takes 1–2 appointments. Egg/embryo freezing takes 2–3 weeks of hormonal stimulation — can often be started mid-menstrual cycle with newer protocols.
⏰ When to Take
Immediately after diagnosis, before treatment starts.
Evidence Level Guide