HomeAnswersInternal Medicinecervical cancerWhat are the possible sexual side effects of cervix radiotherapy?

How do cervix radiation affect sexual life in woman?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vinodhini J.

Published At March 11, 2020
Reviewed AtMarch 11, 2020

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Cervix radiation treatment fears me. How will it affect my sexual life, attracting the opposite sex, pheromones, sex drive, sexual stamina, and my attraction for others?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Radiation therapy leads to a lot of sexual adverse effects and poor quality of life. It will lead to loss of ovarian function leading to infertility, loss of sexual drive, decrease stamina, etc. Also, radiation may affect the length or caliber of the vagina and decreased vaginal lubrication and elasticity and can adversely affect sexual function.

However, some of the side effects will alleviate with time and hormonal replacement therapy. For fertility preservation, there are options available. So overall, radiation has significantly higher incidence of sexual dysfunction as compared to surgery or chemotherapy.

Higher incidence of pelvic pain and pain during sex. Also, there will be higher incidence of bowel dysfunction, higher incidence of urinary incontinence.

I hope this helps.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

Yet some of my inital questions are unanswered:

How can my own feelings of attraction, and possibly other men's attraction to me be affected? I was told I will be in permanent menopause, will this affect my sexual desire and stamina? Can hormone therapy solve issues of attraction and sexual drive?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The decrease in the level of hormones leads to decreased libido and decreased attraction. While other men's attraction will also change because you will not enjoy sex that much and may not be able to provide what others want. It may be painful sex, there may be a change in vaginal length and lubrication so all this will certainly decrease others enjoyment too. It will decrease your desire and stamina.

And yes testosterone therapy along with other hormones help in the restoration of attraction and sexual desire to some extent but not complete resolution. Also, pain during sex and lubrication problems to some extent will be taken care of by these hormones.

I hope this helps.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode
Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode

Cardiology

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