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Sex drive

Former Member
Former Member
  • 1 reply
  • 43 subscribers
  • 681 views

Hi there,

I am so very sorry to bother you.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago, went through chemo and radio and left mastectomy and full lymph node removal. As I am at high risk of a return I am on daily Anastrozole, monthly zoladex and also 6 monthly zoladronic acid. As such I have had my hormones turned off and now have no sex drive. This has caused a major rift in my relationship and we haven’t been intimate in over a year and my girlfriend is struggling and thinks she wants to leave me. I obviously don’t want this and wondered if you knew of any supplements or medicine I may be able to have to help my drive? Any help is very gratefully received.

many thanks,

  • Hi Mel0277

    Thanks for contacting Macmillan Cancer Support and welcome to the online community.

    Unfortunately, it is not an area that gets discussed a lot. So, thanks for being brave enough to reach out and share this with us.

    It’s reassuring to know firstly, that you are not alone with this concern. It can be common for someone’s libido to be affected after having treatment for cancer. This article interestingly discusses just how common this can be after breast cancer treatment.

    Have you told your partner how you are feeling? Being able to talk together can help.

    We would encourage you to discuss your individual case with your Breast Care Nurse, as it’s important to check with your team before commencing any new medications, particularly those even with small amounts of hormones. This ensures you keep yourself safe.

    We have a very supportive breast cancer online group that you might find helpful to join.

    There will be lots of people there willing to offer you support and tips and advice as to things that helped them.

    Breast cancer now, Breast cancer.org and cancer research UK have some useful tips about sex after breast cancer that you may find helpful.

    Some people find it helpful to get support and advice from a counsellor or therapist.

    It can help to talk things through with us over the phone. If you think it would help, we’re available 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm on 0808 808 0000. You can also get back in touch here.

    Best wishes

    Annemarie

    Macmillan Information Nurse Specialist

    Ref/ CF

     

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