Reclaiming Intimacy: Pelvic Health Therapy After Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast Cancer and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Navigating the path of breast cancer is a challenging and often daunting journey filled with ups and downs, moments of hope and despair, and a relentless determination to fight. Pelvic health is one area of wellness that has become a concern for many breast cancer survivors as they rehabilitate from treatment, transition into remission, or navigate life cancer free. Breast cancer can change a number of different aspects of pelvic health and sexuality, and, unfortunately, pelvic floor dysfunction is a common and less talked about problem many breast cancer survivors face.
“pelvic floor dysfunction is a common and less talked about problem many breast cancer survivors face.”
Understanding Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports the bladder, bowel, and uterus. Treatment for breast cancer can cause these muscles to become weak, tight, or damaged, which can lead to a variety of symptoms:
Bladder and Bowel Function: Breast cancer treatment can affect bladder and bowel function, leading to symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, constipation, or painful bowel movements. Pelvic floor therapy includes bladder and bowel retraining techniques, education on proper voiding and bowel habits, and exercises to improve pelvic floor muscle coordination. These interventions can help individuals regain control over their bladder and bowel function and minimize associated symptoms.
Pelvic pain: Pain or discomfort in the pelvic area, which can be aggravated by activities like sitting, standing, or exercise. Breast cancer treatments can also disrupt hormone levels, which can affect the pelvic floor muscles and contribute to pain. Weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles is more common in breast cancer survivors due to the effects of treatment. Pelvic floor therapy offers a supportive and effective approach to help women navigate these changes during and after breast cancer treatment to restore pelvic health.
The Impact Of Breast Cancer Treatment On Intimacy
Breast cancer treatment can significantly impact a woman's physical and emotional well-being, often leading to changes in sexual function and intimacy. Some common concerns include:
Reduced Sexual Desire: Treatments and medications can impact hormone levels leading to a decrease in libido or sexual desire.
Vaginal Dryness: Hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, prophylactic and risk reducing surgeries such as hysterectomies (removal of uterus) and oophorectomies (removal of ovaries) can cause the walls of the vagina to become drier, thinner, and produce less lubrication.
Scar Tissue and Sensitivity: Surgery and radiation therapy can result in scar tissue formation and changes in sensation, affecting arousal and pleasure
Body Image and Emotional Challenges: Breast cancer treatments may lead to changes in body image, self-esteem, and emotional well-being, which can impact sexual intimacy.
Pelvic Floor Therapy can help women reclaim their intimacy by focusing on muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs, including those involved in sexual function.
Pelvic floor therapy includes exercises to lengthen, strengthen, and coordinate the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises enhance muscle strength, improve blood flow, and increase vaginal tone, helping to address concerns such as vaginal tightness, pain during intercourse, and reduced sensation. Relaxed muscles are also more flexible and less likely to contribute to painful penetration.
Pelvic health therapists can also provide special therapies such as Manual Therapy, Myofascial Release Therapy, Red Light Therapy, Dry Needling, Cupping, Scar Tissue Release, Lymphedema Management and more in order to increase and improve overall comfort during intimacy. All of these therapies can help address adhesions and reduce pain.
While the primary goal of pelvic health therapists is to provide physical relief and healing for their patients, addressing emotional well-being is an integral part of nurturing intimacy.
While the primary goal of pelvic health therapists is to provide physical relief and healing for their patients, addressing emotional well-being is an integral part of nurturing intimacy. Pelvic floor therapists acknowledge the emotional challenges and that arise from breast cancer treatment and provide empathetic support, validate emotions, and offer counseling resources if needed. At South Texas Pelvic Health our therapists have training in Trauma Informed Care and they will create a safe space for open communication, addressing concerns, and offering guidance. Pelvic floor therapists provide education on post-treatment changes, sexual health, and techniques for enhancing pleasure and intimacy (such as lubricant suggestions, alternative forms of intimacy, and guidance on positioning.) Most importantly, pelvic health therapists want all women to know that they are not alone, and that there is hope for reclaiming their sense of self and their intimate relationships after breast cancer treatment.
If you or someone you know are going through treatment for breast cancer show your support by sharing information about how Pelvic Floor Therapy can help! I encourage you to give us a call/text! 361-317-1530
DON’T SUFFER IN SILENCE