Hormone therapy works by preventing sex hormones, especially estrogen, from stimulating the multiplication of cancer cells. As a result, these treatments cause frequent hot flashes, fatigue, mood disorders and sexual disorders, including repeated vaginal dryness and decreased libido. Hormone therapy halves the recurrence rate of cancers, and most importantly, it is usually taken for 5 years and then stopped. And the sexual disorders improve then. It’s important to have such a perspective, even if of course, 5 years is a long time.
How to improve libido?
- Against vaginal dryness : Use vaginal moisturizers to apply all over the vulva and inside the vaginal area at least 3 times a week. They make it possible to restore softness, swelling and thickness to the surface of the mucous membranes which are then less fragile. If the dryness remains significant, it is advisable, each time you go to the toilet, to apply a dab of moisturizing gel.
- Practice pelvic floor exercises : the vaginal area is surrounded by circular muscles allowing it to be tightened voluntarily. These regular muscle exercises make these muscles more powerful, better irrigated and improve lubrication and the pleasure felt.
- Increase the duration of foreplay: that is, non-sexual kisses and caresses before penetration. This gives more time to the vaginal mucosa to lubricate itself… Indeed, the lubrication linked to sexual arousal continues to function, because it is in no way dependent on hormones.
- More advanced techniques can improve vaginal lubrication: vaginal laser, vaginal radiofrequency or injections of hyaluronic acid. It would be good for your sister to speak to her doctor if the previous advice is not enough.
Don’t hesitate to get help
For the question of desire, it is difficult to act on the hormones, since the treatment is really important. It seems to me that it would be good for your sister to get psychological help. Support in the event of cancer is essential, because hormones are not the only culprits. Anxiety, or rather illness-related anxieties, often contribute to low libido. And finally, congratulations to you for supporting your sister and for being such a support for her that she talks to you about her most intimate concerns!
>> Above all, tell your sister not to smoke : the carbon monoxide contained in the smoke has the action of contracting the small vessels, which leads to less irrigation and less lubrication of the vaginal area.
Read also :
- Cancer: how to (re)find a fulfilling sexuality?
- We haven’t had sex since his prostate cancer.
- “I discovered sexual pleasure at 41”
