Many cancer patients worry about their sexual well-being. A vital aspect of life is sexual wellness. There is more to sexual wellness than just having sex. It is the social, emotional, psychological, and physical components of sex. Your sexual health includes all of the following: how you view yourself, how your partner views you, developing and maintaining sexual relationships, and the significance of sex to your quality of life. Every man’s sexuality is impacted by cancer in a different way.
In This Article...
Common Sexual Health Concerns During and After Treatment
A man’s sexual health may be impacted by cancer and its therapies. Men may have the following common worries:
- A loss of desire for sex and/or intimate activities.
- issues getting and/or keeping an erection.
- alterations to orgasms or their absence (duration, intensity, or dry ejaculation). OncoLink has information on the various erectile dysfunction treatment alternatives.
- sex that hurts or is uncomfortable.
- having the impression that sex is less fun.
- Be concerned about physical changes, performance capacity, and appearance.
All of these concerns are common. Make sure to discuss your worries with both your spouse and your provider.
How Can I Have Safe Sex During Treatment?
Having safe and protected sex is frequently OK while receiving treatment, but you should always check with your therapist. There are alternative ways to be intimate if you don’t want to or don’t feel good enough for sex. Hugging, holding hands, and receiving a massage may be relaxing and reassuring. Talking to your spouse about how you are feeling and what makes you comfortable is vital.
- You may require time to recover before engaging in sex that involves penile stimulation or vaginal or rectal penetration if you have surgery on your pelvic area for malignancies of the prostate, testicles, penile, colorectal, or anal (with penis, toys, vibrators, or dilators).
- Use cautious when having oral intercourse if you are receiving treatment for oral cancer. Don’t perform oral sex if you have mucositis, which is a mouth sore.
- You shouldn’t have sex if your blood counts are low. If your blood counts are low, you could become infected.
- If you have open sores on your genitalia, avoid vaginal contact.
- If you have rectal sores, rectal bleeding, or tears in the rectal tissue, avoid engaging in receptive anal sex.
- Follow the advice of your oncology doctors for restricting close physical contact if you underwent brachytherapy (seeds) for prostate cancer to prevent radiation exposure to your spouse.
- For 4872 hours following treatment, chemotherapy can still be present in saliva and semen. Do not give an open-mouth kiss at this moment. To prevent your partner from being exposed, engage in oral sex or intercourse (vaginal or anal) using a condom or dental dam (this includes IV and oral chemotherapy).
- To prevent getting pregnant while receiving treatment for cancer, you should always use a secure method of birth control. Some chemotherapy treatments can harm a developing child. Before attempting to conceive, you should frequently wait a specific amount of time after taking a medication. You can consult our medication sheets or speak with your pharmacist to learn more about your medications.
Tips for Making Sex More Comfortable
- You must speak with your partner. If you’re too worn out or uncomfortable for sex, let them know. Use “I make claims. For instance, “I want to feel close to you because I love you. If we cuddle tonight, I’ll feel better.
- Intimate acts like kissing, stroking, snuggling, or rubbing our spouse can make us feel close to them.
- Ready to give sex another try? How did you and your partner first fall in love before the cancer diagnosis? Music, a special meal, or a night out? Take it easy and don’t push yourself to have sex. Take your time, have fun together, and chat to each other.
- Some positions could hurt after cancer surgery. Be imaginative. To find the optimal position for you and your partner, try out a few different ones. Try resting on your sides if, for instance, being on top during penetration hurts.
- You can be referred to a pelvic floor physical therapist by your doctor. After treatment, this may help with pelvic muscle rehabilitation and improve the comfort of sex.
- It can be extremely difficult to adjust to changes in your appearance. Setting boundaries around where and when it’s OK to touch, wear clothing during sex, or cover up particular parts is acceptable. It’s important that you are at ease in your own skin. Saying “no” or “stop” at any time is also acceptable. Before having sex, discuss with your lover how your body has altered and how this makes you feel.
Support
It might be challenging to discuss sexual health. Some people get the assistance they require from their medical staff, their partner, their friends, or other survivors. A support group or a close friend may be able to provide you with the encouragement you need to rediscover your sexuality. Many online communities have discussion boards where you can “speak” to people who have been there about your worries.
There are numerous sexual health programs and clinics in cancer centers. Discuss how to handle changes in your sexual health and body image with your medical team. Work with a therapist who specializes in sex, intimacy, and cancer if you desire. Your provider can suggest the appropriate resources for you.
Resources & Further Reading
- United States Cancer Society
- The Adult Male with Cancer and Sex
- Sexuality and Self-Image
- Problems with sexuality and conception.
- Life After Cancer: Looking Forward (Includes good information on communicating with your partner).
- Resource Center for Testicular Cancer
- Male Sexual Functioning Following Cancer, LIVESTRONG
- Sex After Prostate Cancer, the First in a Podcast Series
Is having sexual relations when suffering from cancer okay?
Not everyone who has cancer will experience changes in their sexual drive or sexual self-perception. It’s possible that nothing has changed at all. But you might discover that cancer alters your perception of your body, which has an impact on how you feel about yourself and sex.
Some people become extremely exhausted and lose interest in sex. However, some claim that they wish to have sex more frequently than usual. A catastrophe can occasionally bring partners who are in a relationship very close.
It is impossible to predict exactly how cancer may impact your sexuality and sex life because everyone is so unique and has distinct sexual demands. Your capacity or desire to have sex is more or less impacted by some cancer kinds and their treatments than by others. If you are in a committed relationship, your worries could differ from those of a single person.
Changing attitudes around your body and having sex throughout cancer treatment doesn’t guarantee that they will remain that way forever. It can help to calm your anxieties if you can discuss them with your partner, doctor, or nurses. They might have ideas for how to solve any issues you’re encountering.
What sex position does Cancer prefer?
Taurus enjoys having the upper hand and exercising control during sex. Kovach advises the traditional missionary posture of lying down with full-body contact since they appreciate a calm and steady pace to lovemaking. “During sex, be sure you touch Taurus all over, or anywhere you can reach, advises Kovach. “Taurus needs to have all of their senses stimulated, so bringing in fragrant products or even meals like chocolate will make Taurus feel more attracted to you.
Gemini: standing spoon
Kovach advises postures that entail some acrobatics and don’t confine them to one location because Gemini tends to become bored easily. This will keep things exciting in the love department. Consider the standing spoon, in which one person stands and the other is positioned against a wall. “Kovach advises couples to begin making love up against a wall before moving on to a table, the floor, a chair, and so on. “Make sure to switch roles as well as who is in charge or in a dominant position. wants to consider everything from all angles.
Cancer: missionary on the bottom
According to Kovach, people born under this sign like gradual, passionate, and tender romantic relationships. Therefore, there’s no need to adopt any elaborate sex positions for this sign as missionary will do just fine. They rarely seek to be at the top, Kovach continues. She claims that they prefer to feel secure beneath their spouse.
Are cancers sex-obsessed?
a cancer (June 20-July 22) Their sex desire increases and they become more preoccupied with their partner’s pleasure as their bond with them deepens.
Where is it most likely to contact cancer?
At least one body part corresponds to each zodiac sign. For instance, the chest, breast, and stomach regions of the body are ruled by Cancer. According to astrologer Sarah James Carter, particular portions of the body are consequently more sensitive than other sections.
What does a cancer find attractive?
In general, Pisces and Scorpio, who are both water signs, are the most compatible with Cancer in friendships and romantic partnerships because they intuitively “understand” the emotional language of the sign. Virgo, Taurus, and Capricorn share a similar energy for holding space.
Is it possible for sperm to carry cancer?
Even yet, it doesn’t follow that semen-borne prostate cancer cells might infect someone else with the disease. “Cancer cells cannot be passed from one person to another. They’ll be killed by their immune system “The executive director of the PCRI, Mark Scholz, stated in an email.
Are cancer patients bed freaks?
In bed, cancer is highly sensitive and packed with emotion. They give their entire heart and mind to their ardent love. They might become quite readily turned on if they feel secure and emotionally connected. They get excited by sharing showers, giving each other erotic massages, reading or watching pornographic material, and playing roughhouse.
Does spooning appeal to cancer?
The mother of the zodiac, Cancer is the fourth astrological sign. Naturally, Cancers are more akin to the smokin’ hot mothers of astrology when it comes to getting it on. The crab is designed to feel at home anywhereon the streets as much as in bedbecause it is intuitive and emotional. It makes sense that Cancers would like physical and emotional sex positions given their propensity for feeling. “Intimacy and mood are closely related to sex for Cancers. Being kind to your Cancer will make them feel better and overcome your need for intimacy because they like to feel safe “According to astrologer Cindy Mckean The actions that will transport Cancers to the moon, which, curiously enough, is the planet that dominates their sign, are cuddling, spooning, and touching noses.
The sensitive crab is covered in layers of tenderness beneath its hard red shell. “With a Cancer, new positions might need to be taken up gradually. The more people love and trust you, the more they’ll go out of their way to meet your demands “says McKean. Cancers prefer to keep things private and cozy, from spooning to butterfly kisses.
Here are three sex positions that are absolutely compatible with empathic Cancers, however you might want to approach them cautiously.
Why is cancer so popular?
When it comes to matters of the heart, they are the most fervent and emotional sign.
No other sign possesses the emotional intelligence and real grasp of human nature that Cancers naturally possess, and they bring a great deal of compassion and care to individuals. They understand you, and it is so alluring.
- Their affection for the ocean and their use of seagreen, blue, and silver tones represent their inventive nature (being a Water element).
- displaying their stunning eyes. Every Cancerian has dark, brooding eyes.
- Smiling. It can brighten the environment when someone is genuinely joyful or satisfied.
Which zodiac signs are known to be the best kissers?
The top five zodiac signs for passionate kissing. Thanks to Greatist for the image.
Now that you are aware of a few kisses that make a great kisser overall, it is time to rate the top five zodiac signs in terms of their ability to kiss. Remember that practicing makes perfect, so just because your sign isn’t on the list doesn’t imply you don’t kiss well! You’re doing it right as long as you kiss your spouse with intention, passion, and love.
Pisces
It makes sense that a sensitive water sign like Pisces would be at the top of the list for the best kisses, despite the fact that you might have anticipated it. Particularly through their lengthy and pleasurable kissing sessions, these passionate souls hope to convey to their spouse how much they value them. Being with a Pisces is the best option if you want to lose yourself in your partner’s embrace and kiss.
Scorpio
Scorpios, another sign of the water element, are renowned for their intensity. That implies that their kissing game will also be passionate and fantastic. A Scorpio has no difficulty taking the lead and expressing their sentiments through their superb kissing when they are into you. There will be plenty of passionate kisses, not just regular ones. You can expect to experience body, hand, and even neck kisses from a Scorpio.
For some adoring kisses, make your spouse pucker up. picture provided by Mother for Life.
Taurus
Taureans are renowned for their amiable, sensitive temperament, despite not being a water sign. They have a lot of sensual energy because they are an earth sign, and this energy is also present in the way they kiss. When a Taurus kisses you, there is no question as to their true feelings, and they are quite good at interpreting what their partner wants. The next time they give you a decent, soft-lipped kiss, be prepared to be wrapped around their finger!
Leo
Leos are excellent at showing their spouses how much they love them by giving them passionate kisses. Leos are extremely entertaining to kiss because they aim to leave you impressed with their kissing abilities. Lovable Leos place a high value on pleasing their significant other at all costs and excelling at it. When a Leo kisses you, you’ll definitely sense the might of this sun-ruled sign since they’re not afraid to let you know you’re the one.
Cancer
Cancer, a water sign, is renowned for being a fantastic kisser. A Cancer falls passionately in love, and their passionate kisses are powerful enough to make you swoon. A Cancer wants to make sure that your entire body receives their love and affection, thus kissing them involves more than just your lips. You can expect a deep, passionate kiss from a Cancer to leave you wanting more.
The top five zodiac signs that are reputed to be excellent kissers are listed here. Keep in mind that the quality of your kisses with your lover is all that matters.