Sexual health after a cancer diagnosis is complex and it’s not enough to purely address our physical symptoms. The brilliant medical oncologist Dr. Laila Agrawal from the US, joins us for this episode where we embark on understanding the complexity of emotional, physical and social changes that affect our sex lives.

And of course, we talk about what your options are and why we need to create the book club we never knew we needed! 

We talk: 

Zero libido

Body confidence

How to treat symptoms

Vaginal oestrogen after breast cancer - new guidance

Sexy stories 

And so much more.

You can find Dr. Agrawal here: https://providers.nortonhealthcare.com/provider/Laila+S+Agrawal/466429

This is her informative Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlailaagrawal/

For perhaps your first ever women’s erotic story go here: https://meetrosy.com/erotica

A large group of high-quality studies show that vaginal oestrogen is safe for breast cancer survivors even those on Aromatase Inhibitors.

Here is the Guidance:

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2811413

https://www.acog.org/news/news-releases/2016/02/acog-supports-the-use-of-estrogen-for-breast-cancer-survivors

https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2017.75.8995

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20533691231208473

Episode Highlights:

00:00 Intro

07:06 Low rate of women reporting sexual health issues.

11:54 Breast cancer treatments may worsen vaginal symptoms.

15:18 Recommended hyaluronic acid vaginal products.

23:09 Guidelines support vaginal hormones for breast cancer.

31:18 Vaginal dilator helps with pelvic muscle discomfort.

36:17 Knowing your sexual goals is important for health.

41:05 Chemotherapy and medications can affect libido desire.

44:42 Planning builds anticipation, connection, and pleasure.

48:23 Rediscovering pleasure, connecting with partner, sex therapy.

51:28 Body image and cancer's impact on self-esteem.

01:00:01 Explore sexy stories to spice up libido.

About Dani:

The Menopause and Cancer Podcast is hosted by Dani Binnington, menopause guide, patients advocate for people in menopause after a cancer diagnosis, and founder of the online platform Healthy Whole Me. 

There is lots of information out there about the menopause but hardly any if you have had a cancer diagnosis as well. Many people say to me they have no idea what their options are, who to ask for help, and that they feel really isolated in their experiences. 

I started this podcast because there was nothing out there when I was thrown into surgical menopause at the age of 39, which followed on from my cancer diagnosis aged 33.

Through the episodes, I want to create more awareness, share information from our fabulous guest experts, doctors and other specialists in the cancer and menopause field. 

And of course, I will share stories from the people in our community.

So that together we can work towards a better menopause experience. For all of us.

More educated, better informed and less alone.

Connect with us:

For more information and resources visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org

Or follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer

Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub