www.cancer.gov 41 Sexual changes What they are and why they occur Some types of chemotherapy can cause sexual changes. These changes are different for women and men. In women, chemotherapy may damage the ovaries, which can cause changes in hormone levels. Hormone changes can lead to problems like vaginal dryness and early menopause. In men, chemotherapy can cause changes in hormone levels, decreased blood supply to the penis, or damage to the nerves that control the penis, all of which can lead to impotence. Whether or not you have sexual changes during chemotherapy depends on if you have had these problems before, the type of chemotherapy you are getting, your age, and whether you have any other illnesses. Some problems, such as loss of interest in sex, are likely to improve once chemotherapy is over. Problems for women include: Î symptoms of menopause (for people not yet in menopause), including: • hot flashes • vaginal dryness • feeling irritable • irregular or no menstrual periods Î bladder or vaginal infections Î vaginal discharge or itching Î being too tired to have sex or not being interested in sex Î feeling too worried, stressed, or depressed to have sex Problems for men include: Î not being able to reach climax Î impotence (not being able to get or keep an erection) Î being too tired to have sex or not being interested in sex Î feeling too worried, stressed, or depressed to have sex
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