Treatment for epithelial ovarian cancer can have a profound effect on how women feel about themselves and their sexuality, whether they have a partner or not. Changes to a woman’s body, her level of energy and her mood will affect how she feels about herself, her sexual desire and her ability to be sexual with others. Coping with these changes will involve an ongoing adjustment process that is likely to change with time.
Some of the sexual difficulties that may arise as a result of treatment include:
- feeling less attractive because of treatment
- feeling ‘incomplete’ because of surgery or infertility
- lower libido because of feeling unwell, tired or worried
- vaginal dryness due to the impact of different drugs
- difficulty being physically active due to pain or disability.
Managing these symptoms may require some effort – and open communication between a woman and her partner.
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