Even though it is safe for most women to engage in sexual intercourse six weeks after getting ovarian cancer surgery — many women may feel that they don’t want to. Dr. Melissa Moffitt, a gynecologic oncologist at OHSU Health in Portland, said that it’s quite common for women to have a “fight or flight” response after getting diagnosed, so they’re only concerned with living through each day — and not so much with things like sexual pleasure.
However, Dr. Moffitt said that this fight or flight mindset will usually taper off within six months of completing treatment. Some women may find that they just aren’t up for sexual activity anymore after what they’ve been through, but many do wish to return to being sexually active.
Read MoreIf the vagina hasn’t been shortened but a woman is still experiencing some pain or discomfort during sex, there are other options to treat this is well, such as ointments that can numb particular areas of the vagina that may be sensitive to pain.
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