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.
If you begin to have sex again after treatment and notice pain during intercourse, it’s important to tell your doctor about it. Dr. Moffitt noted that it is possible that the vagina can shorten or shrink because of surgery and/or lack of estrogen. These issues can be addressed with dilators and physical therapy.
If 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.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Melissa Moffitt is a Gynecologic Oncologist at OHSU Health and an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the OHSU School of Medicine. Read More
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.
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If you begin to have sex again after treatment and notice pain during intercourse, it’s important to tell your doctor about it. Dr. Moffitt noted that it is possible that the vagina can shorten or shrink because of surgery and/or lack of estrogen. These issues can be addressed with dilators and physical therapy.
If 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.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Melissa Moffitt is a Gynecologic Oncologist at OHSU Health and an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the OHSU School of Medicine. Read More
