Cancer and its treatments come with a myriad of side effects and psychological and emotional issues for both men and women, but these issues can vary. The treatments themselves can have many effects on women, not only during treatment, but long after treatment has ended, as well.
Sexual Side Effects
Cancer and its subsequent treatment may affect sexuality or sexual functioning of women in a variety of ways. The Mayo Clinic states some sexual side effects for women which include a lack of desire for sex, pain during intercourse due to vaginal dryness or reduced vaginal size, difficulty achieving orgasm and not having the energy for sexual activity. Chemotherapy can cause a lack of libido and interfere with estrogen production, which can then cause the vaginal dryness and atrophy of vaginal tissue, according to Mayo Clinic. Radiation treatments may cause inflammation and thickening of the vaginal lining, which can make penetration painful and difficult. Surgeries for vaginal and vulvar cancers like radical cystectomy, which involves removing the front wall of the vagina and reconstructing it, or removal of part or all of the vulva, can affect the depth or width of the vagina and cause changes in sensitivity to the vulva and clitoris, which can negatively impact sexual functioning. Removal of the ovaries can also cause premature menopause, as can chemotherapy and radiation.
Fertility and Menopause
Radiation and chemotherapy can cause infertility in women, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center. Alkylating chemotherapy drugs in particular can damage the ovaries, which can result in premature menopause. Women who are not done having children when they start cancer treatment should talk to their doctor about options in preserving fertility, such as freezing eggs, moving your ovaries via surgery out of the pelvic area so they aren't damaged by radiation, or avenues like adoption or surrogacy. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can all put a woman into menopause, and you might experience menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and changes in bone density, according to the Women's Cancer Network.
Hair Loss
Hair loss, or alopecia, can be a common side effect of cancer chemotherapy. For a woman, this can be devastating, as a woman's appearances are highly valued in American culture. Hair may be an important part of a woman's identity, and to lose a symbol of femininity can be heartbreaking. It may also be a constant reminder of your illness, which may contribute to feelings of sadness and depression, according to the Women's Cancer Network. Getting a hat, scarf or wig before treatment starts can help you prepare for losing your hair and might help in choosing a style that is similar to your natural hair.
Body Alterations
Depending on the kind of cancer, surgery may impact a woman's sense of femininity. Having your breasts, ovaries or uterus removed may bring up feelings of feeling like "less of a woman", or may impact your self-image as a woman, according to authors Jimmie Holland, M.D. and Sheldon Lewis. This can lead to feelings of depression and isolation.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Cancer treatment for women
- The Human Side of Cancer; Jimmie Holland, M.D. and Sheldon Lewis; 2000
- Women's Cancer Network
