Abby Kiernan - Women’s Health Clinical Nurse Manager

Whether you can continue hormonal treatment during cancer treatment is very dependent on the type of cancer you have. If you have a cancer that is hormonally driven, for example some breast/ovarian cancer then it would be important that you discuss continuing this with your doctor.

There are a number of non-hormonal methods of contraception that can be discussed with your doctor or local sexual health clinic/ well women’s clinic. Always seek clearance from your lead consultant.

Yvonne O’ Meara - Psychosocial Oncologist & Systemic Psychotherapist

This should be discussed with your oncologist but it is often recommended to continue or start taking it as it can preserve fertility in the future.

How can I prevent STIs during treatment?

Abby Kiernan - Women’s Health
Clinical Nurse Manager

As cancer treatment can weaken your immune system it is important to use barrier methods during your treatment. This would mean the use of condoms (male or female) and dental dams.

For those with a cervix. Keep up to date with the cervical screening programme (link to be included to HSE cervical screening website in references Cervical screening - Cervical Check - HSE.ie).

Make sure you are up to date with routine sexual health screening. Ensure new partners are tested prior to engaging in sex/ sexual contact.

Lubricant is very important to help prevent any irritation or trauma during intercourse. This is important to prevent any infections or bleeding after sex. Be sure to check that lubricant is compatible with the condoms/ toys you are using.

Passing urine soon after sex can help reduce the risk of developing a UTI.

If you have had bowel surgery and you practice anal sex it is imperative to check with your doctor when it is safe to return. Using lubrication, barrier contraception, and regular STI check should also be part of your safe sex practice.

During treatment consideration should be made for absorption issues. If you are experiencing nausea and vomiting or diarrhea during treatment then you may not absorb all of the required medication. Also, if your cancer affects the bowel it is important to discuss any tablets you are taking to ensure your body will absorb it. You may have to discuss changing to alternative methods of contraception that are not taken by mouth, patches, rings, IUS/IUD, depo injections etc. Your choices - sexualwellbeing.ie

What other contraception issues should be kept in mind after treatment?

Abby Kiernan - Women’s Health Clinical Nurse Manager

 It is important to discuss the risks of pregnancy during your cancer treatment, some chemotherapies and radiotherapies may affect the development of the baby. It may also mean that you have to stop treatment.

When you have finished your treatment and are planning on trying for a pregnancy it is important to ask when it is safe for you to start trying. Some cancer treatments can stay in the body for months after treatment and can affect foetal development. Speak to your doctor to discuss when it would be safe for you to start trying for pregnancy.

If you have undergone a hysterectomy or removal of ovaries as part of your treatment you will no longer require contraception. Barrier methods should be continued to prevent spread of infection.