1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) 42 Ways to manage side effects Ways to manage sexual changes For women: Talk with your doctor or nurse about: Î Sex. Ask your doctor or nurse if it is okay for you to have sex during chemotherapy. Most women can have sex, but it is a good idea to ask. Î Birth control. It is very important to prevent pregnancy while having chemotherapy and for a year afterwards. Chemotherapy may hurt the fetus, especially in the first three months of pregnancy. If you have not yet gone through menopause, talk with your doctor or nurse about birth control and ways to keep from getting pregnant. They may suggest that you use two forms of birth control. Î Medications. Talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about medications that help with sexual problems. Medications may include products to relieve vaginal dryness or a vaginal cream or suppository to reduce the chance of infection. Talk with your doctor or nurse about ways to relieve vaginal dryness and prevent infection. To help prevent infections: Î Wear cotton underwear or underpants and pantyhose with cotton linings. Î Do not wear tight pants or shorts. Use a water-based vaginal lubricant (such as K-Y Jelly or Astroglide) when you have sex. If sex is still painful because of dryness, ask your doctor or nurse about medications to help restore moisture in your vagina. Cope with hot flashes by: Î Dressing in layers. Wear a sweater or jacket that you can take off when needed. Î Being active. Add walking, biking, swimming, or other types of exercise to your daily routine. Î Reducing stress. Besides getting regular exercise, try yoga, meditation, or relaxation exercises. For relaxation exercises, visit Learning to Relax on the National Cancer Institute’s website at: www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/relaxation.
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