Ovarian Cancer and Sex: A Guide for Patients and Partners

Ovarian cancer and sex is a topic that many patients, partners, and caregivers find difficult to discuss openly. 

A diagnosis of ovarian cancer can impact your sexuality, intimacy, and relationships in complex ways. Physical changes from surgery and treatment, emotional responses to diagnosis, and shifting relationship dynamics all play a role in how you experience intimacy during and after treatment.

According to one study, 63% of women report that their ovarian cancer diagnosis negatively changed their sex life. The encouraging news is that many of these effects are manageable, and accessing reliable information is the first step toward reclaiming this important part of your life.

How Ovarian Cancer Treatment Affects Sexual Health

Getting an ovarian cancer diagnosis creates profound emotional and physical challenges. Treatment often involves major surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation — all of which can impact your sexual well-being in different ways.

Physical Changes

Surgery for ovarian cancer typically involves removing the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and sometimes the uterus as well. These procedures can cause immediate physical changes:

• Surgical recovery requires waiting at least 6 weeks before having sex to allow wounds to heal properly.
• Early menopause occurs if your ovaries are removed before you’ve naturally gone through menopause. (Learn more about surgery-induced menopause.)
• Vaginal dryness becomes common and can make penetrative sex uncomfortable or painful.
• Changes to orgasm may include different sensations or difficulty reaching climax.
• Fatigue and decreased energy often affect your interest in sexual activity.

Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer brings its own set of challenges. Beyond the well-known side effects like nausea and hair loss, chemo can cause:

• Lowered immune system (making you more susceptible to infections)
• Changes in vaginal pH balance
• Increased sensitivity in genital tissues
• Further exacerbation of menopausal symptoms

Emotional Impact

Going through ovarian cancer treatment is emotionally challenging, and those feelings directly affect your sexuality and intimate relationships.

Many women experience:

• Anxiety about pain during sex
• Grief over lost fertility or changed body function
• Changed body image affecting confidence
• Depression or mood changes from hormonal shifts
• Fear that sex might somehow harm healing

After treatment, many women feel disconnected from their bodies. It often takes time to reconnect and rediscover what feels good, what doesn’t, and what you want from intimacy.

Body image concerns deserve special attention after ovarian cancer treatment. Surgical scars, hair loss from chemotherapy, weight changes, or the presence of ostomy bags (used to collect waste after a surgical procedure) can significantly impact how you see yourself as a sexual being. 

These visible changes can be difficult to accept and may make you feel self-conscious during intimate moments.

Common Questions About Ovarian Cancer and Sex

Navigating intimacy after an ovarian cancer diagnosis brings up many questions. Patients often hesitate to ask healthcare providers about sexual concerns, yet these are some of the most important issues affecting quality of life. Here are answers to the questions we hear most frequently from women and their partners. Remember that your healthcare team is there to address these concerns, so never hesitate to bring them up during appointments.

Is it safe to have sex during treatment?

Generally, yes, but with some precautions. If you’re having chemotherapy, doctors typically recommend using barrier methods like condoms for a few days after treatment. This reduces any theoretical risk of exposing your partner to traces of chemotherapy drugs. If you’ve had surgery, wait until your doctor gives you the all-clear (usually about 6 weeks).

Read more: Sex During Chemotherapy: A Guide for Ovarian Cancer Patients

What can I do about vaginal dryness?

This is one of the most common and frustrating symptoms but also the most treatable. Options include:

• Vaginal moisturizers (like Replens, Hyalofemme, or YES VM) for regular use to improve tissue health
• Lubricants during sexual activity (water-based, silicone-based, or oil-based, depending on your needs)
• Vaginally-applied estrogen for some patients (discuss with your oncologist first as it might not be appropriate for all cancer types)

Remember to avoid lubricants with glycerin, glycols, or parabens, as these can sometimes cause irritation.

What if sex is painful?

Pain during sex (dyspareunia) after ovarian cancer treatment is actually quite common. A study found that 77% of sexually active ovarian cancer survivors reported pain or discomfort during intercourse. But don’t resign yourself to pain! Try:

• Talking to a pelvic floor physical therapist who specializes in cancer patients (Read: What is pelvic floor therapy?)
• Taking more time for arousal before penetration
• Using extra lubrication
• Trying different positions that give you control over depth and movement
• Learning to relax your pelvic floor muscles (sometimes called “reverse kegels”)
• Exploring non-penetrative forms of sexual intimacy

If pain persists, talk to your healthcare provider. No one should suffer through painful sex when help is available.

What if I don’t want to have sex at all?

That’s completely normal and valid. Many women experience periods of low or no sexual desire during or after cancer treatment. This can be due to hormone changes, medication side effects, fatigue, or emotional processing.

Open communication with your sexual partner is key. Explain how you’re feeling and explore other ways to maintain intimacy that don’t involve sex:

• Cuddling and physical affection without sexual expectations
• Massage and gentle touch
• Emotional intimacy through conversation and shared activities
• Taking a break from sexual activity with an agreement to revisit when you feel ready

Remember that sexuality exists on a spectrum, and there’s no “right” level of sexual interest — only what feels right for you at this moment in your life.

Reclaiming Your Sexual Self

Reconnecting with your body after ovarian cancer takes time and patience. For many women, it means getting to know their changed bodies and discovering new sources of pleasure.

Reconnecting with Your Body

Start by simply noticing everyday sensory experiences — the feel of wind on your face, the comfort of soft clothes against your skin, or the warmth of sunshine. These mindful moments help rebuild your relationship with your physical self.

Self-touch — whether sexual or non-sexual — can help you discover what feels good now. Many cancer survivors find that areas of pleasure and sensitivity have changed after treatment.

Masturbation can be a great way to rediscover pleasure after treatment. It allows you to explore what feels good now without any pressure to please a partner. Many women find that masturbation helps them regain a sense of ownership over their bodies after the medical procedures they’ve undergone. It’s also a safe way to understand how your body’s responses might have changed, making it easier to communicate needs and preferences if you have a partner.

Communication with Partners

Honest communication becomes even more critical after cancer treatment. Try to:

• Share your concerns openly
• Be specific about what feels good and what doesn’t
• Discuss new approaches to intimacy that work for both of you
• Consider scheduling intimate time when you have more energy
• Remind each other that intimacy isn’t just about sex

Getting Professional Help

Sometimes, professional guidance makes all the difference. Consider:

• Pelvic floor physical therapy for pain, tightness, or discomfort during sex
• Sex therapy or counseling for help with emotional aspects of sexuality after cancer
• Support groups where you can share experiences with others who understand
• Gynecologic oncologist for medical aspects of sexual healing

When You’re Not in a Relationship: Dating After a Diagnosis

Single women face unique challenges after ovarian cancer treatment. Questions about when and how to disclose your cancer history to potential partners can create anxiety.

There’s no “right” time to share your cancer history with someone new. Some women prefer to mention it early in dating, while others wait until a deeper connection has formed. Trust your instincts about when it feels appropriate.

Remember that your worth as a partner has nothing to do with your cancer history or fertility status. The right person will see you — not your medical history — and will be willing to work through any physical challenges together.

Partners of Ovarian Cancer Patients

If your partner has ovarian cancer, you’re experiencing your own set of challenges. You may worry about hurting them during intimacy or feel uncertain about how to provide support.

The most important thing you can do is listen without judgment. Ask open questions about what your partner needs, and don’t make assumptions about their desires or physical capabilities.

Remember that intimacy takes many forms. Sometimes, holding hands or cuddling may be what your partner needs most. Showing that you’re still attracted to them, even as their body changes, can be enormously reassuring.

Read more: Caring for Someone with Ovarian Cancer: A Practical Guide for Family and Friends

Final Thoughts: Ovarian Cancer and Sex

The conversation about ovarian cancer and sex isn’t about getting back to “normal” — it’s about discovering a new normal that works for you now. Some aspects of your sexuality may change permanently, while others may return with time. The key is patience, communication, and a willingness to explore.

Your sexuality remains an essential part of your identity and well-being, regardless of where you are in your cancer journey. You deserve pleasure, intimacy, and connection — on your own terms and in your own time.