Breast Cancer Can Reduce The Quality Of Sex

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Recovering from breast cancer is one thing that they need to fight. Because it is reasonable if there is a price to be sacrificed, one of which is the declining quality of sexual life in a few years during the treatment.

These problems commonly faced by cancer patients within 2 years after diagnosis. Among them include the inability to achieve satisfaction and reduced sexual activity in general.

This was revealed in a study at Monash University, published online in the Journal of Sexual Medicine 23 September 2010.


The study observed 994 women with breast cancer in Australia who meet several criteria. Among non widow, did not have any active disease, had a pair and less than 70 years old.

Quoted from HealthDay, Friday (9/24/2010), 287 of all participants claimed not to have sexual problems. But the remaining 707 suffered a variety of problems ranging from libido problems until mechanical problems such as vaginal dryness.

Among participants who had a sexual problem, 80 percent also reported similar symptoms of menopause. These include hot flashes and cold sweats at night, which is closely related to failure to achieve sexual satisfaction.

The researchers revealed that one of the triggers of sexual problems is a medication used. Evident in participants who use the drugs types of aromatase inhibitor, sexual problems faced increased by 2.5-fold.

Due to work by reducing estrogen levels, this drug will provide the changes in body shape. In some people, this change will exacerbate sexual problems faced.

Another problem arising from the use of aromatase inhibitors is a dry sensation in the vagina. The outcome was pain during penetration, as well as the mechanism that disrupts the enjoyment of intercourse in general.

Yet researchers do not recommend the patients to abandon treatment. Various sexual problems can be overcome without losing the opportunity to recover from breast cancer.

Dry sensation in the vagina for example, can be reduced by using a liquid lubricant or lubricants. While related to libido and body shape, psychological therapy can handle.

From: dtkhealth