Intimacy and relationships during treatment
Navigating physical and emotional changes
The short version
Treatment can affect libido, body image, and physical comfort in ways that vary by person and treatment type. Many of these changes are common and can improve over time, and there are people who can help.
Treatment — including surgery, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy — can affect desire, comfort, and body image in ways that are common but not often talked about openly. These changes can be temporary or longer-lasting, and vary a lot by person.
You're not alone in finding this a hard topic to raise — many cancer centers have specialists, such as sexual health counselors or pelvic floor therapists, who focus specifically on these concerns.
Questions you may want to ask
Is there a specialist you can refer me to for concerns about intimacy or sexual health?
Are the changes I'm noticing likely related to treatment, and are they usually temporary?