Loss of sensuality

[AlaskaAngel]

The majority of breast cancer patients are over age 50. Most will experience a loss of libido if they do chemotherapy. Medical providers tend to avoid discussing this issue at the time when patients are considering their options. It may help to have some idea how chemotherapy-induced menopause or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist-induced menopause, affects breast cancer patients over time, in comparison to breast cancer patients who chose hormonal therapy but no chemotherapy.

http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/Modern+Medicine+Now/Libido-Unaffected-by-Endocrine-Therapy-in-Breast-C/ArticleNewsFeed/Article/detail/713459?contextCategoryId=40137

FYI, here is the poll of the patients on this website in regard to this topic:

http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=27613&highlight=libido

[fauxgypsy]

Prior to receiving chemo, I had a wonderful physical relationship with my new husband. I feel a strong sense of loss. I wasn't sure if it was due to getting older and menopause or what, but I have never had a doctor discuss the issue of chemo and sensuality with me. I even wondered how much of it has to do with the mastectomy and my image of my body. I have tried to discuss it but it almost seems that they are not comfortable about it. I sometimes wonder if part of that is discomfort with older women being sexually active. That it should not be important to us. I would have still chosen to have chemo (I am glad to still be here) but it is yet one more thing lost to cancer.

[Jackie07]

The 'sensuality' went into 'chemopause' in 2003 after several rounds of FEC. The 6 rounds of TCH and 4 weekly Herceptin in 2007 further put me in the 'dry' spell and I bought 'Replens' per Marianne's advice. I used it very 'infrequently' and had received complaints from my 'other half' quite often.

Well, spring is here again. And I somehow began to feel some 'awakening' feelings. Perhaps the 'dilator' helped stretch and revive the inner lining? Or is it the result of eating nutritious breakfast oatmeal mixed with milk, yogurt, flaxseeds, walnuts, raisins, blue berries, and other fresh fruits?

Perhaps it is caused by the growing brain tumor that's pressing on my nose? The increased cranial pressure probably has 'stimulated' lots of the stuff located in the center of my brain... Maybe I will become 'smart' again... :)