For ovarian cancer survivor Mareva Godfrey, moving on after cancer meant learning how to thrive no matter what life throws her way. One area where she particularly struggled, she says, was dealing with the loss of parts of her body that were tied to her femininity. However, she tells SurvivorNet she is determined to remain a sexual being — even as a cancer survivor and even at 67 years old.
For many women who go through gynecological cancers, learning to feel sexy or to feel comfortable being intimate is a real challenge.
Read MoreMareva says she’s chosen not to sweat the small stuff, to remain hopeful about her sex life — and to focus on thriving.
“It’s not about fighting. Fighting puts you in a stance of scarcity,” she says. “…I don’t know what the future brings. I don’t know if I’ll have another recurrence. But I’m not forfeiting a day to worry or anxiety or what ifs.”
“Worry is like sitting in a rocking chair. It’ll give you something to do, but it will not take you anywhere,” she adds.
Sex After Ovarian Cancer
Mareva was not alone in wondering how ovarian cancer would affect her sex life after she got diagnosed. It’s a common concern, even if some patients feel it’s an uncomfortable topic to discuss with their doctors.
Many women are able to lead healthy sex lives after going through ovarian cancer treatments, they just may have to make certain adjustments.
In a previous conversation with SurvivorNet, Ohio State University Gynecologic Oncologist Dr. Ritu Salani explained that there may be multiple reasons for sexual dysfunction or issues with sexual health both during and after treatment.
Dr. Ritu Salani explains some of the challenges involved with getting a healthy sex life back after ovarian cancer.
"There may be some mental aspects to it," Dr. Salani said. "Just a kind of psychological fear of engaging in sexual activity, especially when you're dealing with a gynecologic cancer. And many women experienced this."
There is also the possibility of physical side effects, as many women will experience symptoms of menopause after undergoing ovarian cancer surgery.
Dr. Salani said vaginal dryness, hot flashes, or even some discomfort during the act of intercourse are all common side effects after surgery. But she also pointed to a handful of solutions to help alleviate some of these symptoms, such as:
- Over-the-counter vaginal lubricants to combat dryness and discomfort
- Specialized prescription lubricants
- Sexual health counseling to help with mental aspects
While getting back to a normal sex life can be challenging and time-consuming, Dr. Salani assured us that it is possible for most ovarian cancer patients.
"I believe most patients probably are able to enjoy a healthy sexual life," she said. "But I think sometimes we have to help them to get there, and that can be a time-consuming experience. But it's important that they talk to their doctors and other providers to help them get there."
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