Sexual and fertility changes
Cancer treatment can change your sex drive, how sex feels, and your ability to have children. These changes are common, and it is okay to talk about them.
Why it happens
Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, pelvic radiation, and surgery can affect hormones, nerves, and sex organs. Fatigue, pain, body image, and stress can also play a part.
What helps
- Ask about fertility preservation, such as egg, embryo, or sperm freezing, before treatment starts if you may want children.
- Ask whether you need birth control during treatment and for how long after.
- Use a water-based or silicone lubricant and a vaginal moisturizer for dryness.
- Talk openly with your partner about what feels good and what does not.
- Ask about pelvic floor physical therapy, medicines for erections, or a sexual health clinic.
- Ask to see a counselor or sex therapist who works with people with cancer.
Call your care team right away if you have
- You have pain or bleeding during or after sex.
- You think you or your partner may be pregnant during treatment.
- You have new hot flashes, mood changes, or irregular periods that bother you.
Questions to ask
- How might my treatment affect my sex life and fertility?
- Should I see a fertility specialist before I start treatment?
- What birth control should I use, and for how long?
Sources
Quick answers
- What is sexual and fertility changes during cancer treatment?
- Cancer treatment can change your sex drive, how sex feels, and your ability to have children. These changes are common, and it is okay to talk about them.
- Why does sexual and fertility changes happen?
- Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, pelvic radiation, and surgery can affect hormones, nerves, and sex organs. Fatigue, pain, body image, and stress can also play a part.
- What helps with sexual and fertility changes?
- Ask about fertility preservation, such as egg, embryo, or sperm freezing, before treatment starts if you may want children; Ask whether you need birth control during treatment and for how long after; Use a water-based or silicone lubricant and a vaginal moisturizer for dryness; Talk openly with your partner about what feels good and what does not; Ask about pelvic floor physical therapy, medicines for erections, or a sexual health clinic; Ask to see a counselor or sex therapist who works with people with cancer.
- When should I call my care team about sexual and fertility changes?
- You have pain or bleeding during or after sex; You think you or your partner may be pregnant during treatment; You have new hot flashes, mood changes, or irregular periods that bother you.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.