How to Treat Genital Pain From Chemo

It's very common for women to feel pain during intercourse after they've gone through surgery and chemo. That's because the treatment narrows or shortens their vagina, so they feel tight. As for men, they may experience pain at rest or during ejaculation because the urethra or prostate gland is irritated. They may also have trouble getting erections. Follow these steps to treat genital pain from chemo.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Ask your doctor if there's a product you can use to ease dryness and skin irritation around the penis or vagina. Both are common side effects of chemo. Talk to your doctor right away if you're experiencing pain or dryness in the genital area.

2. Shower together and use stimulation like foreplay and romantic dinners to get aroused.

3. Use a vaginal dilator if you've had chemo. This will help stretch out your vagina over time. Ask your doctor to provide one, along with instructions on how to use it.

4. Know that radiation therapy can affect how much semen men ejaculate. This is usually temporary. The levels should go back up over time.

5. Get into sexual positions that give the woman more control of the thrusting. This will help her deal with her tightened vagina. Circle your thumb and index finger around the penis at the vaginal entrance to keep your significant other from thrusting too deeply.

6. Insert your partner's penis, fingers or a dilator into your vagina during chemo to keep it from tightening or shrinking. Make a point to do it three to four times a week.

7. Lubricate with an unscented, uncolored product. Astroglide or K-Y Jelly will work to combat dryness caused by the chemo.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your doctor to see if you can get your serum testosterone levels looked at. You may be a candidate for replacement therapy.
• Consider placing some sperm in a sperm bank before getting chemo. Some men experience impotence after radiation. It doesn't happen right away, but years after chemo.
• Talk to your doctor about using a vaginal dilator if you're getting surgery in that area. Ask when you should start using it and how to use it.
• Freeze eggs or ovarian tissue if fertility is possible. It's a very expensive procedure though, so it may not be an option for you.
• Tell your doctor if you see blood in your semen following prostate cancer treatment or diagnosis.
• Know that men may urinate during sex accidentally.
• Talk to your doctor if you experience a burning sensation during sex. This may signal a yeast infection for women.

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Resources

• Click here for more information about managing genital pain.
• Effects of cancer treatment.
• Mayo Clinic