Sex during Chemo

I did have sex, but not immediately after since my rounds involved four days of chemo. We waited after each round. As draining as chemo was I looked forward to the intimacy. My husband and I remained intimate throughout my journey. We did not use protection, however we did not always focus direct penetration. I am not recommending unprotected interaction to anyone, this is something that my husband and partner of 29 years agreed on. There is potential liability for both partners. The stage of treatment guided our interactions. Sex was part of my Q&A section of each treatment phase. When in medical doubt ask your medical team.

Insideout2

Yes. No protection. I found that it was extremely helpful in (huge surprise here!) boosting my mood and lending a bit of normalcy to life. It was also fun to see my partner at the time try to collect his eyeballs from the floor after he looked at me. To him I was desirable with or without hair. What is poignant in retrospect is that he helped me through a cancer you can beat; when it was his turn, it was pancreatic cancer where he fought the good fight, but eventually succumbed.

Having told this tale, I emerged with no body image problems, so often an issue with women who have been down this road. This is even true amongst women who had very minor surgery.

I have dated a bit since, and now need to get out there again....or at least once we are past the Covid restrictions which I think will happen in the next six months. At least as important as condoms is making sure that both of us have had the vaccine, and that will be a non-negotiable. Will do condoms too, but for reasons other than chemo or Covid. Too many things out there that I don't want.

(For the record, my life isn't completely devoid of male company, but Zoom and IPA calls with a good looking dude in CT don't quite do it. Fun though. Haven't been doing many of those recently, but because his business has been wildly successful. I get that one. We will reconnect over Christmas.)

So my advice would be to GO FOR IT!!!! - Claire

I was also told to use a condom, but somehow missed the message that it was only for a few days after each infusion, so we used them for the duration. But it was still good