What can you do to regain your sexual function?

Knowing what sexual side effects to expect before you begin your cancer treatment can help you be more prepared to deal with them.

If you experience sexual side effects, find out as much as you can about what's impeding your sexual function. This will help you feel more in control and help guide you to treatment options.

You may also want to:

• Talk with your health care team. It can feel uncomfortable to talk about sexual side effects. Though talking about sex can be awkward, you're not likely to find a solution if you don't let someone know what you're experiencing.

  Write down your questions if it makes you feel more comfortable. In addition, your doctor may be embarrassed or hesitant to talk about sex. If this is the case, ask to be referred to a specialist or seek support from other members of your health care team, such as nurses and counselors.

• Talk with your partner. Let your partner know what you're experiencing and how he or she can help you cope. For instance, you might find that using a lubricant eases your vaginal dryness or changing positions helps you avoid genital pain during sex.

  Together you may find solutions to ease you back into a fulfilling sex life.

• Explore other ways of being intimate. Intercourse isn't the only option for closeness with your partner. Consider spending more time together talking, cuddling or caressing.

  Connecting in other ways might help make you feel more comfortable and less anxious about the sexual side effects you're experiencing.

• Talk with other cancer survivors. Your health care team might be able to steer you to a support group in your town. Otherwise, connect with other cancer survivors online.

  If you're embarrassed about discussing sex face to face with strangers, the online environment provides you anonymity. Start with the American Cancer Society's Cancer Survivors Network.

It may simply take time for you to regain your sexual function after cancer treatment. While that can be frustrating, remember that if you had a positive and satisfying sex life before cancer, you'll likely resume that after your treatment.