Sexual Issues After Pelvic Radiation

I was diagnosed with Vulva Cancer 11/2006 and was treated with Chemo and Pelvic Radiation.  Because of this I was thrown into instant menopause.  During Treatment and for a few months after had not had sexual intercourse because of the obvious pain associated with your skin being burnt off.  Since June/July of 2007 my husband and I have been trying, I was told if I don't I;d have to be fitted with a dilator.  It is now 11/2007 and although we have intercourse 3 or 4 times a week, it is still a lot of discomfort for me. I have a very supportive and understanding husband, for which I thank God.  I can orgasm if stimulated by touch to my clitoris, but it's not the same as it was, actual intercourse does absolutely nothing for me and because it causes discomfort I can't do it for very long.  I keep trying in the hopes that some day it will get better. Anyone else feel the same way, or does it eventually get better? In the beginning It was extreme pain and my husband could not hardly enter me at all, I can now receive him all the way, but again, because of its discomfort its not something I get excited about anymore.  Any feedback would be great.

Hi,

I dont know much about pelvic radiation but I will be going through it sometime soon. I belive I will be getting external radiation and possible internal as well. I am looking for advice for myself if you could please share your experince with me I would greatly appreciate it.

Yvonne

On 11/17/2007 yavall wrote:

Hi,

I dont know much about pelvic radiation but I will be going through it sometime soon. I belive I will be getting external radiation and possible internal as well. I am looking for advice for myself if you could please share your experince with me I would greatly appreciate it.

Yvonne

 

Hi Yvone,

I had external radiation, it was explained to me that it is like the worst sunburn you ever had, and that's exactly what it was like, II have an aloe plant and beginning with my first day of radiatinn, I would split open a leaf and spread teh gooey inside all over the area I had radiated.  Towards the end I stopped because it was just too painful, but because I did this I healed remarkalbly quickly.  My doctor's were amazed how quickly I healed.  Iit was recommended that I take sitz baths, but I found that just getting into the bathtub was more of a relief.  I took about 10 baths a day with Aveeno oatmeal powder.  It relieved it temporarily, and the hotter I could stand  the water the better.  My doctor also gave me a prescriptiion for lidocaine gel, which also helped.  It does get to  a point where nothing seems to help.  I was in so much pain at one point that I stopped radiation for 5 days to heal al little.  One mistake I made was I didn't want to take a lot of pain medicine and that was s big mistake.  I found it was better to stay ahead of the pain with pain meds.  It's a offensive word removed to go through, but try to keep a positive attitude, and know that it will end and you will feel better again.  Good Luck to you.

patty