Sex, fertility and menopause after ovarian cancer treatment

Treatment for ovarian cancer can affect your fertility, bring on an early menopause, and impact your sex life and emotional wellbeing. Everyone experiences these changes differently, and it’s okay to have mixed feelings.

Your care team is here to help you understand what to expect and support you through any changes you’re facing.

Ovarian cancer treatment can affect how you feel physically and emotionally when it comes to sex.

• After a hysterectomy, it’s best to wait at least 6 weeks before having sex to allow healing.
• Vaginal dryness and low libido can happen, especially if you go through early menopause.
• Moisturisers, lubricants, and vaginal creams can help. These are available in pharmacies, or your doctor can recommend the best option.
• If you have a colostomy, it may affect how you feel about your body and intimacy. This is completely natural. Many people find it helpful to talk about these feelings with their partner or with a professional.

Read more about managing sexual side-effects of cancer treatment.

If you did not have a hysterectomy and are fertile, you should use a reliable method of contraception during and for some time after treatment. Some chemotherapy and other cancer drugs may harm a developing baby, so it’s important to avoid pregnancy during and for a time after treatment. 

Many specialists recommend that you wait for up to 2 years after treatment before trying to start a family or having more children. This time gives your body a chance to recover from the effects of the cancer and its treatment. 

Ask your doctor's advice about contraception and family planning.

If you haven’t yet gone through the menopause, having your ovaries removed will cause an early menopause. Symptoms can include hot lushes, night sweats, disturbed sleep, headaches, joint pain, osteoporosis, dry skin, dryness of your vagina, reduced sexual desire (libido), mood swings, difficulty concentrating or remembering things, anxiety or low mood. Other treatments may also cause these symptoms. 

Tell your nurse or doctor if you’re troubled by menopausal symptoms. There are treatments that can help.

Read more about managing menopausal symptoms.

Your fertility will be affected if you have a single ovary removed, an oophorectomy, radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Depending on the treatment, infertility may be temporary or permanent.  

Discuss any worries you have about infertility with your doctor before treatment starts. He or she can tell you if there are any options open to you. For example, it may be possible to freeze your eggs before treatment begins. Your doctor can refer you to a specialist fertility clinic for advice, counselling and support if this is an option for you.

Dealing with infertility

Dealing with infertility can bring feelings of sadness, anger and loss of identity. It can help to talk through your concerns with someone who is a good listener or with a professional counsellor. You can also call our Support Line on 1800 200 700 or visit a Daffodil Centre for information and support from a cancer nurse.

Counselling

It may help to talk openly to a counsellor about how you’re feeling. The Irish Cancer Society funds free one-to one counselling at our many local cancer support centres. You can also contact our cancer nurses, who can help you to find a sexual counsellor, if you feel you need extra support.

Irish Cancer Society cancer nurses

You can talk to one of our cancer nurses in confidence by calling our Support Line on 1800 200 700, by emailing supportline@irishcancer.ie or by visiting your local Daffodil Centre.