Reconstruction after vulva cancer

Dear Pheebs78,

Thanks for getting in touch with us and welcome to the online community.

I’m Lorna one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists.

I’m sorry to hear that you have been struggling emotionally, and finding it difficult to be intimate with your partner following your treatment for vulval cancer.

Everyone deals with their emotions differently and there is no right or wrong way to feel. It can take months and even years to come to terms with any treatment or side affects you have been experiencing.

You have had surgery to a very intimate part of your body, and it can make you feel less attractive or sexual. You may also feel embarrassed about how your genital area looks now. This can affect how you feel and how you react to having sex. It can leave you confused and have difficulty understanding what is happening.

You don’t mention what treatment you have had for vulval cancer. Surgery can make some women find sex less pleasurable especially if this involved removal of the clitoris.

It would help to get in touch with your GP and talk to them about how you are feeling they will be able to support you and refer you to a sexual health professional or counselling. Your Consultant or Clinical Nurse Specialist would also be able to talk to you about any treatment options you might benefit from such as reconstruction.

I see you have joined the vulval cancer online community It might also help to talk to others who understand how you are feeling they will be able to offer advice and support. Or you could get in touch with Vulval Awareness Campaign Organisation  (VACO) who can help too.

You can also always give one of our nurses a call directly to talk things over. We are always happy to take the time to listen and advise when and if you both may need to talk.

I hope this is helpful but please don’t hesitate to get back in touch if you need further information or support.

Best wishes

Lorna

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref: LB/AM