Breast Cancer and Sex Life

September 6, 2025 / Editor

Breast cancer is often discussed in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and survival. However, one crucial aspect that is frequently overlooked is the effect it can have on a woman’s sex life. Intimacy during and after breast cancer treatment may not feel the same, as physical, emotional, and hormonal changes influence sexual health and overall well-being. More than the average number of breast cancer survivors with partners experience sexual difficulties.

These challenges may include changes in body image, reduced energy levels, vaginal dryness, or a decline in sexual desire. For many Nigerian women, the subject of sex after breast cancer is rarely addressed openly, leading to silent struggles. Understanding that these experiences are common and manageable to rediscover pleasure, intimacy, and closeness is important.

How Breast Cancer Affects Your Sex Life?

Physical Changes: Breast cancer treatment can affect your body differently. Surgery, scars, or the loss of a breast may make intimacy feel different. Sometimes, what used to feel good may now feel painful or uncomfortable. Your body may also feel more sensitive in some areas and less responsive in others.
Emotional and Mental Health: Your emotions greatly affect your sex life. Anxiety, stress, or depression during treatment can lower your sexual desire. You may feel self-conscious about changes to your body, like hair loss, scars, or weight gain—and this can affect how you see yourself as a woman. Sometimes, it is not about whether your partner finds you attractive, but whether you feel attractive yourself.
Treatment Side Effects: Chemotherapy and hormone therapy can trigger early menopause. This often causes vaginal dryness, hot flashes, and reduced libido. Pain medications, fatigue, or nausea can also make sex the last thing on your mind.

Common Sexual Health Challenges and What You Can Do

Loss of Desire (Low Libido): It is very common to lose interest in sex during or after breast cancer treatment. Sometimes, you are just too tired. Other times, hormonal changes reduce your natural desire. Be patient with yourself—your body is healing. Talk openly with your partner about how you feel. Light exercise can help boost energy and mood. Even short walks can make you feel better. Do little things that make you feel good—buy a new outfit, get a fresh hairstyle, or treat yourself to a massage. Confidence can spark desire again. If loss of libido continues, talk to your doctor.
Vaginal Dryness and Painful Sex: Many women experience vaginal dryness during treatment. This can make sex painful and frustrating. Use water-based lubricants (without perfumes or additives) before sex. Vaginal moisturizers can provide longer-lasting comfort if used regularly. Try different positions that reduce pressure on sore areas, pillows can help, or consider pelvic floor exercises or therapy to relax muscles and improve blood flow. If pain continues, let your doctor know.
Changes in Body Image: Breast cancer may change how you look and feel about your appearance. Hair loss, scars, changes in weight, or even losing a breast can affect your self-confidence. Focus on parts of yourself that you love and highlight them. Wear lingerie or a supportive bra during intimacy if it makes you feel more comfortable. Remind yourself that you are still beautiful, strong, and desirable.

Sex During and After Treatment

During Chemotherapy or Hormone Therapy, you don’t have to give up intimacy completely if you don’t want to. But you do need to be cautious. If pregnancy is still possible, use non-hormonal contraception—because treatments like chemotherapy can cause congenital disabilities or miscarriages. Also, if your immunity is low, protect yourself from infections. Remember that intimacy is not just about penetration. You and your partner can enjoy closeness through touch, cuddling, kissing, massage, or simply holding each other.

When treatment ends, you may feel like you should bounce back quickly. But intimacy takes time. Don’t rush yourself. Be patient and rebuild gradually. Explore new ways of connecting with your partner, from romance to foreplay. Communicate openly about what feels good and what doesn’t. The key is to focus on connection, love, and understanding, not performance.

Talking About Sexual Health with Your Partner

Silence can create confusion. Your partner may not know how to touch or fear hurting you. Be honest about your needs. Doctors often focus on treatment and may not bring up sexual health. But that doesn’t mean you should stay silent. Ask about safe lubricants, hormone-related solutions, or therapies for pain and dryness. Sometimes, it helps to talk to a trusted friend, family member, or even a support group. Knowing that other women share your experiences can reduce shame.

Breast cancer may change your body, but it does not take away your right to enjoy pleasure and intimacy. If sex feels different now, it does not mean it is over, it just means it is changing, and you can learn new ways to make it enjoyable again. Your body has been through so much, and healing takes time. Whether you are dealing with low desire, dryness, pain, or body image struggles, remember your sexual health is part of your overall well-being. If intimacy feels like a struggle, speak with your doctor, a counselor, or a sexual health specialist.