Here’s a few things you should be aware of:

Info for Boys

You might find it difficult to get an erection (a ‘hard on’ or ‘stiffy’). You might find it hard to concentrate and relax because of all that is going on.

• Sometimes this can also happen if the cancer or the treatment has damaged the nerves and blood vessels in your pelvis - but this is unlikely.

• Radiotherapy to the pelvic area can cause low levels of the male hormone – testosterone – which can also make it difficult to get an erection. This can also happen if you have Total Body Irradiation as it affects the pituitary gland which produced testosterone.

• Surgery to the testicles (your balls) can also make it hard to get hard!

You may not ejaculate when you have an orgasm. This is called a dry orgasm. It still feels the same but there is no cum. It is not anything to be worried about.

You may feel uncomfortable showing your body to a partner because of the changes in your body (like hair loss or scars). For more information on coping with these changes, visit our Dealing with changes to your body fact sheet.

Info for girls

• Surgery to your reproductive organs or vagina may mean you are unable to have sex for a certain amount of time. If you are unsure, consult your doctor about this.

• It is possible that you have or will be put on the pill by your medical team. It is important to remember that you still need to use a condom during sex. This is because some of the chemo drugs can be transferred to your partner by your vaginal secretions

• You may know that chemo can cause a dry mouth and nose but it can also cause vaginal dryness. This may be due to low levels of the female hormone, oestrogen - caused by radiotherapy to the pelvic area, or the pituitary gland not working (can be caused by Total Body Irradiation). This can make sexual intercourse painful or uncomfortable.  Using water-based lubricants like KY Jelly will help this.

• You may feel uncomfortable showing your body to a partner because of the changes in your body (like hair loss or scars). For more information on coping with these changes, visit our Dealing with changes to your body fact sheet.

For information on having sex whilst receiving chemotherapy, visit the sex and cancer treatment fact sheet.

Remember: It is completely normal to not feel like having sex.

Give yourself plenty of time to recover if you have had treatment recently. If you are concerned about how your cancer treatment may affect your ability to have sex, consult your treating doctor or nurse.

If you are concerned about how your cancer treatment may affect your ability to have sex, consult your treating doctor or nurse. 

Don’t forget, you can still maintain a great relationship without having sex.

Remember: Always practice safe sex and check if there are any other special precautions you need to take.