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Call 13 11 20 for information and support

Fertility, intimacy and sex

Sex and intimacy are an important part of our wellbeing and whether or not you want to become a parent or add to your family, you may be wondering how cancer will affect your fertility.

Cancer can affect your sexuality in physical and emotional ways.

The impact of these changes depends on many factors such as treatment and side effects, your self-confidence, and if you have a partner. Although sexual intercourse may not always be possible, closeness and sharing can still be part of your relationship.

Two people hold hands across a table while a doctor in a white coat sits blurred in the background. Two people hold hands across a table while a doctor in a white coat sits blurred in the background.
Fertility and cancer

Cancer and its treatment may affect a person’s ability to conceive a child or maintain a pregnancy (fertility). Whether or not you want to become a parent or add to your family, you may be wondering how cancer will affect your fertility. We hope this information will help you understand how you may try to keep (preserve) your fertility before and during treatment, and your options after cancer treatment.
Two hands clasped together in a gentle, comforting gesture. Two hands clasped together in a gentle, comforting gesture.
Sex, Intimacy and Cancer

Sex and intimacy are an important part of our life. They are how we experience physical and emotional closeness, pleasure and develop intimate relationships. We hope this information gives you practical ways to adapt to any physical or emotional changes you may experience, and explore ways to maintain intimacy.