Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is something nobody wants to hear. While your mind runs a million miles a minute as you figure out your next steps, you might not be thinking about how your sex life can change.
Sexual pain is often a common but unspoken part of breast cancer treatment. As your sex drive, vaginal health, and confidence decrease, intimacy may become something you dread.
At The Stoehr Center in Frisco, we say no way. Cancer has taken enough from you, so we won’t let it take your sexual function, too. With the help of Dr. Angie Stoehr, you can improve your vaginal health and work your way back up to enjoyable intimacy.
If you’re curious about managing sexual pain after breast cancer treatment, keep reading as we discuss options to support sexual wellness.
How Breast Cancer Treatment Affects Intimate Wellness
The vagina is a very estrogen-needy organ. Estrogen plays a role in the thickness of the vaginal tissue, levels of lubrication, and vaginal elasticity—essentially keeping the vagina healthy.
As many breast cancer treatments attack estrogen production, patients often experience vaginal dryness, thinning tissues, and irritation, none of which make for an enjoyable time in the bedroom.
Dr. Stoehr helps cancer survivors enhance their vaginal health and redefine intimacy after cancer treatment. Through in-depth conversations and tailored post-cancer gynecology, Dr. Stoehr can help patients reclaim their sex lives and confidence.
Let’s look at a few treatments we offer in Frisco for managing sexual pain after breast cancer treatment.
Vaginal Dilators
Vaginal dilators stretch the vaginal tissue, helping to reverse narrowing, a common cause of sexual discomfort. One of the best things about dilators is that you can use them at your own pace, making them a gentle and comfortable tool for restoring vaginal health.
We can also use dilators during cancer treatment to prevent narrowing of the vaginal wall. With a proactive protocol, you can better maintain your vaginal health.
With consistent use, many patients find that they can have penetrative sex again, with pleasure increasing over time!
Lubricants and Hormonal Products
Often, we use lubricants and suppositories alongside our vaginal dilator protocols. These products can enhance hydration and supply the vagina with the hormones that it needs.
Hyaluronic acid (HA)-based products can naturally address vaginal dryness and elasticity. We can also talk with your oncologist to look at whether or not vaginal estrogen is safe for you.
If so, using Prasterone, a suppository, can supply the vagina with estrogen by converting its cells into estrogen without absorbing anything into the bloodstream. Research suggests that, since the estrogen stays in the vagina, it can be safe for individuals diagnosed with breast cancer.
Emsella
We often recommend Emsella when pelvic strength and control impact sexual function. The chair strengthens the pelvic floor and stimulates blood flow to vaginal tissues through noninvasive high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) energy.
You can sit fully clothed on Emsella—no need to undress! HIFEM works by stimulating the pelvic muscles, similar to a Kegel exercise. Many patients notice improvements in sensation, vaginal tissue health, and natural lubrication. If Emsella aligns with your goals, we can enhance your pelvic health, making intimacy more enjoyable.
Emfemme 360
As vaginal tissues shrink and dry up after cancer treatment, we can use Emfemme 360™ to stimulate blood flow in the vaginal tissues. The radiofrequency (RF) energy helps with managing sexual pain after breast cancer treatment.
As the vagina absorbs the controlled thermal energy, blood flow and your natural production of collagen and elastin increase. These vital proteins enhance the structure and strength of internal and external vaginal tissues. With a series of appointments, patients can experience more hydration, improved sensitivity, and a stronger vaginal wall, leading to less pain during sex.
Exomind
Breast cancer treatment doesn’t just affect your body; it can affect your mind as well. When you welcome the new you after breast cancer, you might find yourself struggling to overcome emotional barriers. As you navigate what intimacy looks like for you now, you might face some mental challenges.
We can use Exomind, a noninvasive brain stimulation treatment, to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. Plus, if you have a partner (or partners), they can benefit from Exomind sessions, too! With a clearer head and improved mood, you can explore intimacy and have conversations about sexual wellness more efficiently. Having a mutual understanding and realistic expectations can make sex that much more fulfilling.
Choosing the Right Approach for You
Managing sexual pain after breast cancer treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. Dr. Stoehr performs a consultation and gynecological exam to determine how cancer treatment has affected your vaginal health and sexual wellness.
Our mission is to empower each patient who walks through our doors, because everyone deserves to feel confident and happy in their bodies—especially after cancer.
Once Dr. Stoehr has a better understanding of your unique position, she crafts a personalized treatment plan. We often start with dilators to improve vaginal girth, and follow with advanced treatments, like Emsella and Emfemme 360™. As we enhance sexual function and pleasure, we can adjust your treatment plan to get your sex life back on track.
Ready to Explore Pain-Free Sex? Request an Appointment
We want you to know that pain after breast cancer treatment is both common and treatable. Managing sexual pain after breast cancer treatment takes effort and guidance, so it shouldn’t be done alone. Patients trust Dr. Stoehr to deliver that guidance and help improve their sexual wellness.
Request an appointment to speak with Dr. Stoehr about your sexual wellness. Together, you can create a comprehensive plan that gets you back to enjoying sex!
