Sex and bowel cancer
This page tells you about how bowel cancer, and its treatment, can affect your sex life and relationships. There is information about
Sex and bowel cancer
Most people are able to have a normal sex life after having had colorectal cancer. You will need time to get over surgery, or any other treatment you have had. You should not have sex for at least 6 weeks after major surgery.
Many people do not feel like sex while they are having treatment. Try not to worry about this. Side effects and general tiredness are bound to get in the way. If you have had a colostomy or ileostomy you may also feel self conscious about the change in your body.
You will probably find that talking things over with your partner can help. It will take time for both of you to come to terms with all that has happened to you. But sharing how you feel is more help than bottling everything up. You may prefer to talk to a specialist counsellor, either alone or with your partner.
Occasionally an operation to the rectum can affect the nerves to the sex organs. A man may not be able to get, or keep, an erection. A woman may find her vagina shrinks slightly and gets narrower. These effects do not affect everyone who has bowel cancer treatment and they may get better over time. Occasionally, they can be permanent. If you are worried about these problems after surgery, talk to your doctor.
There is more information about sex, sexuality and cancer in the ‘coping with cancer’ section of CancerHelp UK.
Most people are able to have a normal sex life after having had colorectal cancer. You will need time to get over surgery, or any other treatment you have had. You should not have sex for at least 6 weeks after major surgery, but there is no reason why chemotherapy or radiotherapy should stop you making love if you feel like it.
Many people do not feel like sex while they are having treatment. Try not to worry about this. Side effects and general tiredness are bound to get in the way. If you have had a colostomy or ileostomy you may also feel self conscious about the change in your body.
You will probably find that talking things over with your partner can help. It will take time for both of you to come to terms with all that has happened to you. But sharing how you feel can help you to understand each other better.
You may prefer to talk to a specialist counsellor either alone, or with your partner if you have one. Your doctor or specialist nurse can put you in touch with a sex therapist if you feel you would like this type of help. Some of the bowel cancer organisations can also help you to find a therapist or counsellor.
Occasionally, radiotherapy or an operation to the rectum can affect the nerves to the sex organs. A man may not be able to get, or keep, an erection. A woman may find that her vagina shrinks slightly and begins to get a bit narrower. There is information about dealing with these effects in our sexuality and cancer section. These effects do not affect everyone who has bowel cancer treatment and they may get better over time. Occasionally, they can be permanent. If you are worried about these problems after surgery, talk to your doctor.
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