Sex and chemo

As the nurse was administering the chemo last week he told me that we should use protection whilst having sex as I could pass on the toxins to hubby? Doesnt say anything about this in the literature. Anyone else been told this? Also no live yoghurt? Practically all yogs are live now!!
Look forward to hearing your view on sex and yoghurt!!!
Vanessa

Hi Vanessa

Our publication ‘Chemotherapy and breast cancer’ contains some information about using protection whilst undergoing chemo, you can read it via the following link if you wish:

breastcancercare.org.uk/docs/chemotherapy_07_web_0.pdf

Hope this helps to clarify this for you.

If you have any further queries please feel free to ring the helpline on 0808 800 6000 which is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sat 9am-2pm.

Best wishes

Lucy
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care

I wasn’t told anything and didn’t use any protection whilst having chemo and each time I was prescibed antibiotics I had loads of live yogurt to replenish the good bugs - it’s not right that we all get different information to follow.

I checked out this link but found it wasn’t really explicit enough!! (cummon you know what i mean). Obviously there is a tiny risk of becoming pregnant and the chemo drugs damaging the foetus/sperm. So I quote a snippet from cancerbackup which I think is helpful:

“For both men and women having chemotherapy, it is recommended that a barrier form of contraception (such as a condom) is used for a few days after treatment. This is because tiny traces of chemo may (theoretically) get into the cervical fluid or sperm and cause irritation to partners.”

With apologies to bcc if I missed something in their publication - but if it isn’t there it really does need to be.

dawnhc

Hi Vanessa

I was told the same as you to use a condom but they didnt say why!!

Lesley

Hi

I wasn’t given any advice and have not used any protection. Hubby has not complained of any side effects!!!

Kim x

Hi

I was told to use a condom all through chemos because otherwise my OH would get the chemo drugs too. I have never been told to avoid any food types, such as live yogurts.

We’re still using condoms now as I had my Mirena coil removed when I found I was ER+. I haven’t had a period since August. Can anyone tell me how long we need to wait before it is safe to dispense with contraception altogether? I am 45, finished chemo & on tamoxifen, really don’t expect periods to return now.

I’m 46 and haven’t had a period since last October. However, I was told by my onc that my periods could come back again. I’m having some bloods done tomorrow to determine whether I’m menopausal or not. I’ve had no libido at all since my periods stopped.

I have the coil fitted but was told to be careful the first couple of days, made me laugh like mad, like I was really in the mood for sex straight after chemo.

Debbie x

I was told to use protection during chemo like some of you others as chemo could be passed to my husband and his hair is falling out without any chemo!

Not great news when I am allergic to condoms - finish chemo one month today so might get a Christmas special… it’s been a long year!

I also have a friend whose periods started again whilst on tamoxifen so I am not sure whether contraception is necessary whilst on it???

I agree that the treatment is really bad for the libido!