3. How can my cancer and cancer treatment affect my sexuality?
Cancer Treatment in Women: Hormone Treatment
Some hormone treatments may cause sexual changes, but they are less likely to do so than chemotherapy.
Most studies of women taking tamoxifen after breast cancer to prevent recurrence find that the hormone does not interfere with sexual function. For most women, tamoxifen helps with vaginal dryness, although some women experience vaginal irritation.
Raloxifene, which is also taken after breast cancer to prevent recurrence, does not interfere with sexual pleasure for most women, at least in studies of women who have taken it for osteoporosis. However, it is less likely than tamoxifen to help with menopausal vaginal dryness.
Aromatase inhibitor medicines, such as Arimidex, are also taken to prevent breast cancer recurrence and are more likely to contribute to vaginal dryness.
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