Cancer is not only characterized by the appearance of tumors and abnormal cells, but also because it generates sexual dysfunction. This is because it affects self-esteem and certainty of life expectancy, without forgetting that the treatment alters the hormonal function and image.
The factors that shape human identity are the femininity or masculinity, parenthood, the social role we play and eroticism, and they can all be affected in varying degrees by the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
"The time of detection startles the patient's psychological balance and, of course, your sex life, because the body is structured so that the erotic expression becomes secondary to immediate dangers. Of course, what happens to the patient's inner life will depend on the prognosis of the disease and how to modify their self-image ".
Body Image
The way each person sees ourselves is recorded in the subconscious and, as we grow, is updated. This image allows us, among other things, structuring our sexuality, yet to be affected by disease such as cancer, the alteration is perceived similarly to a mutilation, but not always involves removal or intervention in any part of the body.
"For example, many patients who have undergone hysterectomy (removal of the uterus or womb) that often feel drained and therefore ceased to be women. The situation of men who have their prostate removed testicle is not well studied, but questioned whether or not sex works ".
Given this, it is important that all concerned attend psychological therapy to recover body image, which is part of the male and female identity and to overcome the stages of grief. "It is also important to work with a partner, since a large percentage of women who have had breast cancer or have been treated with hysterectomy report that their partners do not approach them".
Note that no body part is the monopoly of eroticism, but when going through such crises, it is common to experience the feeling of being maimed, so it should work on the recovery of the capacity of erotic joy.
Alterations
Those women who treated for gynecologic cancer (in different parts of the reproductive organ) and breast cancer have long-term sexual dysfunction. Also men who received care for prostate cancer have reported erectile dysfunction problems vary depending on the type of therapy received.
The most common problems experienced by patients include loss of sexual desire and, in particular, difficulty achieving erection and maintain it in men, and pain during intercourse in women. Similarly, males may experience ejaculation failure and inability to reach orgasm, while the female section has changes in genital sensations, numbness and decreased ability to reach the summit of pleasure.
"On the other hand, many individuals feel fear and / or anxiety about their first sexual experience after treatment, which causes to avoid intimacy with your partner, touching and sexual activity. It is possible that these problems are not solved in the first two years of disease-free survival, so it should be seen by a specialist ".
Mammary tumors
Prominent breasts are a sign of femininity, both socially and personally, hence in terms of personal image is the parameter most affected by the type of surgery that is performed when breast cancer is diagnosed.
While more conservative treatments do not appear to significantly change the quality of life and sexuality in the long term, it was found that approx 40% of women with breast removal (mastectomy) partial and nearly 80% of those experienced decreased breast reconstruction pleasure to the stroking in this area.
On the other hand, has reported reduction in the erection of the nipple, a situation associated with low breast tenderness due to surgery. Some patients have difficulty becoming aroused and suffer from lack of vaginal lubrication.
However, when tumors spread radical surgery is required, which also includes the removal of ovaries and lymph nodes, a procedure that leads to premature menopause and shortening of the vagina. After pelvic radiation therapy (radiation treatment that aims to eliminate malignant cells) may occur in the bladder and rectum complications (incontinence), which further deteriorates erotic expression, body image and self-confidence.
Endometrial. It begins in the lining of the uterus and usually appears in postmenopausal women (years after the last menstrual period). Among the highlights risk factors of obesity, because fat tissue produces some type of estrogen which in high concentration can cause cancer? When detected at an early stage requires a simple hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus and cervix).
Ovaries. There are mainly two age groups at risk, the highest in the menopause and lower during the second decade of life. Has strong impact on quality of life and femininity by the aggressiveness of the disease and the treatments needed?
The weight loss patients suffer from lack of appetite due to illness and chemotherapy (using drugs that kill tumor cells), increased abdominal girth, change in bowel function and pain ventral (belly) persistent.
Tumors that affect young patients conservative surgery should be required either mono-lateral (only one ovary removed) or bilateral (both are removed), with preservation of the uterus. The purpose of leaving the womb, when possible, is that women experience periods with hormonal replacement therapy and even pregnancy through egg donation.
In vulva. It develops in tissues of the external female genitalia. In youth are, usually, precancerous lesions associated with infection of the human papillomavirus, and invasive form appears in menopause. In the first case using conservative treatments (e.g. laser-based), and the second can be vulvectomy (removal of the vulva).
Implications
All the information can hurt psychologically symbolic of sensuality and sex appeal, because the patients are perceived as mutilated or "defective", especially if the radiation has caused painful narrowing and shortening of the vagina, resulting in poor sex life. The latter is also significantly affected after application of chemotherapy (combined with surgery for ovarian cancer), it creates fatigue, hair loss, nausea, diarrhea and anxiety.
On the other hand, when subjected to removal of both ovaries, the patient presents early menopause, because they stop producing estrogen, thus reducing their libido as a result of vaginal dryness and pain during intercourse.
Cancer survivors need to supplement their treatment with sexual and psychological therapies, which will be integral to recovery in less time and have good quality of life.
Read more how to tighten vagina and increase breast size for more sexual pleasure.
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