Ever had a question about relationships or sex that you just can’t ask your oncology care provider? Ever felt too shy to ask a nurse or doctor a question, but really needed the answer? Now you can ask those questions and get answers from Dr. Anne Katz, the Awkward Auntie! We’re back for another round of Awkward Auntie. Read on for some more recent Q&As!
Question: I’m a year and a half post-chemo, and finally got a diagnosis of vulvar atrophy and hormone issues from chemo. It just seems to be so uncommon, especially for my age, that I couldn’t get an explanation for my symptoms. I worried now that I’ll never get to have a normal sex life. Hormonal replacement seems to have many side effects and complications with my other conditions. Are there things that can be done to help? There’s just so little information out there for my age, and nobody seems to understand.
Answer: The usual advice for a dry vulva and/or vagina is to use moisturizers for daily comfort and lubricants for sexual touch and penetration. But these are ‘band-aid’ solutions. The only thing that will really help is estrogen, either systemic or local. I don’t know what your other conditions are, so I cannot speak to that. It is really awful that no one in your oncology team has provided you with guidance or referred you to a GYN who can help. It sometimes takes a while to find hormonal treatment that works for the individual, but there are many options available! Keep advocating for yourself!
You can learn more about this great program, find the answers to past questions, and submit a question of your own by going here!
More about the Awkward Auntie program:
Dr. Anne Katz, also known as the Awkward Auntie, is a certified sexuality counselor and nurse who has written a couple of books about young adults and cancer – and all the things that happen to your body, relationships, and sex during and after treatment. She will answer any and all questions that you send to AwkwardAuntie@lacunaloft.org or submit in the form below. You don’t have to give your name or other identifying information – but it might be helpful for her to know how you identify yourself by gender, your age, and what kind of cancer and treatment you had.
YOU CAN ASK HER ANYTHING…. Don’t hold back! Your questions will be answered periodically and posted on our Awkward Auntie page.
