Skip to main content
  • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 vaccines and cancer
      • FAQs
      • FAQs in-language
      • SerOzNET Study
    • COVID-19 information for people affected by cancer
      • Managing your cancer care in the context of COVID-19
      • Looking after your mental wellbeing
      • Canada
      • Ireland
      • UK
      • USA
    • COVID-19 information for children and young people with cancer
    • Cancer Won’t Wait
    • Cancer and COVID-19 - what it means for our Mob
      • COVID-19 vaccines: Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people affected by cancer
      • Act early for our Mob's health
    • Guidance for health professionals
      • Diagnosis
      • Treatment
      • Surgery
      • Medical oncology
      • Radiation oncology
      • Primary care
      • Telehealth
      • Clinical trials
      • Follow-up care
      • Supportive and Palliative care
      • Cancer care for cancer patients with COVID-19
      • COVID-19 vaccines and cancer
      • Recovery
    • Research articles
      • Review articles
      • Data articles
      • Recommendations articles
      • Shared experience articles
      • COVID-19 vaccines and cancer articles
    • Cancer care in the time of COVID-19: A conceptual framework
    • Optimal cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic: the Principles
    • The impact of COVID-19 on cancer services
    • COVID-19 Recovery: Implications for cancer care
      • Expanded use of telehealth
      • Changes to prevention and early detection
      • Virtual multidisciplinary team meetings
      • Modifications to treatment schedules
      • Hypofractionated radiotherapy
      • Oncology hospital in the home
      • Responsive patient support
      • Innovative care and hospital infrastructure models
      • Shared follow-up and survivorship care
      • Supportive and palliative care
      • Cancer research and clinical trials
      • Collaboration in the oncology sector and data sharing
      • Acknowledgements
  • About us
    • Organisational structure
    • Accountability and reporting
      • Annual reports
    • Who we work with
      • Roles & functions
      • Advisory Council
      • Advisory groups
      • Consumer engagement
      • Government cancer control organisations
    • Information publication scheme
      • Information publication scheme plan
      • Freedom of information act
        • The FOI request process
      • FOI disclosure log
    • Reconciliation action plan
    • Employment opportunities
  • News and media
    • News
    • Subscribe to our eNewsletter
  • Contact us
Cancer Australia
Choose Language
  • العربية
  • 简体中文
  • 繁體中文
  • Ελληνικά
  • हिन्दी
  • Italiano
  • 한국어
  • Español
  • Tagalog
  • Tiếng Việt
  • العربية
  • 简体中文
  • 繁體中文
  • Ελληνικά
  • हिन्दी
  • Italiano
  • 한국어
  • Español
  • Tagalog
  • Tiếng Việt
  • العربية
  • 简体中文
  • 繁體中文
  • Ελληνικά
  • हिन्दी
  • Italiano
  • 한국어
  • Español
  • Tagalog
  • Tiếng Việt
  • Home
  • Cancer types
  • Impacted by Cancer
  • Awareness
  • Research
  • Resources
  • Clinicians hub
  • Key initiatives
  • Home
  • Cancer types
    • Bladder cancer
    • Bowel cancer
    • Brain cancer
    • Breast cancer
    • Breast cancer in men
    • Breast cancer in young women
    • Cervical cancer
    • Children’s cancer
    • Endometrial cancer
    • Fallopian cancer
    • Gestational trophoblastic disease
    • Gynaecological cancers
    • Head and neck cancer
    • Kidney cancer
    • Leukaemia
    • Liver cancer
    • Lung cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Melanoma
    • Mesothelioma cancer
    • Myeloma
    • Neuroendocrine tumours
    • Oesophageal cancer
    • Ovarian cancer
    • Pancreatic cancer
    • Prostate cancer
    • Sarcoma
    • Stomach cancer
    • Testicular cancer
    • Thyroid cancer
    • Unknown primary cancer
    • Uterine sarcoma
    • Vaginal cancer
    • Vulvar cancer
  • Impacted by Cancer
    • What is cancer
    • Physical changes
    • Treatment
    • Keeping healthy
    • Emotions
    • Family and relationships
    • Living with cancer
    • Lynch Syndrome
  • Awareness
    • Your cancer risk
    • Screening
    • Interactive body map
  • Research
    • Cancer Research in Australia
    • Data and statistics
    • Australian Clinical Trials
    • Support for cancer clinical trials
    • Grants and funding
  • Resources
    • Cancer Australia Publications
    • Clinical Practice Guidelines
    • Position statements
    • Resources in other languages
    • Cancer Australia websites
    • Cancer risk online assessment tools
    • Other tools and resources
    • Podcasts
    • Cancer support organisations
    • Glossary
  • Clinicians hub
    • GP guides and resources
    • Guidelines by cancer type
    • Optimal cancer care pathways
    • Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
    • Multidisciplinary care
    • Psychosocial care
    • Follow-up care
    • Family cancer clinics
    • Cancer Learning
    • Consumer engagement
  • Key initiatives
    • For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
    • Australian Cancer Plan
    • Australian Brain Cancer Mission
    • Lung Cancer Screening
    • National Pancreatic Cancer Roadmap
    • Campaigns & events
    • Jeannie Ferris Recognition Award

Vulval cancer

vulval-mm cancer-types/vulval-cancer/overview
    • Home
    • Types
    • Statistics
    • Risk factors
    • Symptoms
    • Diagnosis
      • Staging and grading
      • VIN
    • Treatment
      • Effects on fertility
    • Living with
      • Physical changes
      • Emotional changes
    • Life after
    • Finding support
    • Clinical trials
    • Health professionals
    • Home
    • Types
    • Statistics
    • Risk factors
    • Symptoms
    • Diagnosis
      • Staging and grading
      • VIN
    • Treatment
      • Effects on fertility
    • Living with
      • Physical changes
      • Emotional changes
    • Life after
    • Finding support
    • Clinical trials
    • Health professionals
  1. Home
  2. Life after
Loading...

Life after vulval cancer

  • Printer-friendly version
  • A|A

For more information about adapting to life with a stoma, ask your treatment team or contact your local stoma association.

Effects on fertility

Although the vulva is a part of the female sex organs, in most cases treatment for vulvar cancer does not affect fertility. If you are concerned, ask your doctor for advice.

Sexuality, intimacy and vulvar cancer

Having cancer doesn’t mean you are no longer a sexual person. However, treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can affect your sexuality. This includes your interest in sex, your ability to give or receive sexual pleasure, how you see yourself and how you think others see you. Some of these effects are temporary, whereas others are permanent. All can be managed or controlled.

If you are concerned about changes to your sex life, it is important to talk to your partner. They may feel that, if they raise the topic, they might place too great a demand on you or make you feel guilty.

You can also talk to your healthcare team about the potential challenges you may face having vulvar cancer. Knowing what changes may occur, and addressing them if they affect you personally, will help you overcome or adjust to the changes.

If you are experiencing a sexual problem because of cancer treatment, you may find it helpful to discuss it with your doctor, or you may feel more comfortable talking to a hospital counsellor, social worker or psychologist.

Cancer Australia has developed a booklet on intimacy and sexuality for women with gynaecological cancer, to support women (and their partners) in understanding and addressing issues of intimacy and sexuality following the diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological cancer. It aims to empower women so they can ask questions that they may otherwise avoid asking due to embarrassment or other concerns.

The Cancer Council Helpline – 13 11 20 – can also put you in touch with a counsellor or a sex therapist and can provide a copy of the booklet Sexuality, intimacy and cancer.

After surgery

Many women feel shocked and upset by the idea of having treatment to one of the most intimate and private parts of their body. You may experience a wide variety of emotions, including anger, fear and resentment, all of which are normal.

When these feelings are combined with the physical effects of treatment, you may find that the closeness of your relationship with your partner is affected. It may also take time to feel interested in, and comfortable during, sexual intimacy.

Sharing your feelings can bring you and your partner closer together. You may also find it reassuring to talk to someone else who has been through the same experience.

Physical changes

Women who have had vulval surgery have different feelings about looking at the vulva afterwards. Some women don’t want to look at the area. Others want a nurse to be with them when they look for the first time. A nurse can explain what has happened to the area and can offer professional support and advice.

Some women prefer to look alone or with a partner, friend or relative. Whoever you choose, make sure it is someone you trust and can talk to openly about your feelings.

If you decide to look at the vulval area, it is natural to feel shocked by the changes. If the labia have been removed, you will be able to see the opening to the vagina much more clearly. If the clitoris has been removed, there will now be an area of flat skin without the usual folds of the vulva.

Taking your time

Although the area of the operation usually heals within about 6 weeks, the emotional effects will probably take much longer to deal with. This will require gentleness and sensitivity from yourself and the people close to you.

It may be some months before you begin to enjoy sexual activity again. Don’t be surprised if you feel very unsure about it. Remember that you need to make yourself and your healing a priority. Allow yourself to say no to any kind of sexual contact that does not feel right.

Physical problems

People’s sex lives often change during and after cancer treatment. You may find that your interest in sex is diminished, and you may also experience some physical sexual problems.

Sometimes surgery causes scar tissue to form around the outside of the vagina, narrowing the entrance to it. Radiotherapy can cause scarring and narrowing of the vagina itself. Both situations may produce pain during intercourse, but using plenty of lubricant and trying different sexual positions can help. Water-based and nonperfumed lubricants are best.

Using a vaginal moisturiser 2 or 3 times a week may help. A hormone cream can also help keep vaginal tissue supple and lubricated. These creams are available on prescription from your doctor.

If you don’t feel like having sex, or you find penetration uncomfortable, let your partner know.

If pain is a problem for you, plan sexual activity for the time of day when your pain is lowest. If you are using pain medication, take it shortly before sex so it will be in full effect during lovemaking. Use positions that put minimal pressure on the painful areas of your body and allow you to control the depth of penetration. Learn relaxation techniques to help stop the muscles tensing up.

If it is still too painful, talk to your doctor. The Cancer Council Helpline (13 11 20) can also let you know where you can get help and support for this problem.

Effect on orgasms

You may worry that, if your clitoris has been removed, you won’t be able to have an orgasm. This is not necessarily the case, but you may need to take time to explore different ways to climax. There are many other parts of your body that, when caressed, can increase sexual excitement and lead to orgasm. The breasts, inner thighs, feet and buttocks are all very sensitive areas of the body.

You and your partner can still be intimate without trying to have intercourse or reaching an orgasm. Sharing your feelings for each other in intimate ways such as cuddling, kissing, stroking and massage can often be as satisfying as full penetration and climax.

Tips:

  • Think about pleasurable sexual experiences, watch romantic or erotic DVDs, or read sexy literature to stimulate you.
  • Guide your partner’s hands or fingers to areas that arouse you.
  • Consider using an electric vibrator to give you extra stimulation to help you reach orgasm.
  • Focus on your breathing to help you relax and focus on the pleasure of the whole experience.
  • Tighten and relax your vaginal muscles in time with your breathing during penetration or while your sensitive areas are being stroked.

Your doctor or nurse may be able to discuss this with you. You may also wish to speak to a sex therapist or counsellor experienced in this area.

Regaining sexual confidence

For many women, sex is more than arousal, intercourse and orgasms. It involves feelings about intimacy and acceptance, as well as being able to give and receive love.

If we are not comfortable with the way we feel about our bodies, this may affect our confidence and desire for sex. Some women worry about being rejected by a current or future partner because of changes to their body, whether these changes are visible or not.

It is sometimes difficult to communicate sexual needs, fears or worries with your partner in an intimate relationship. If your vaginal cancer treatment involves treatment to the vulva, you may find it even more difficult. But, you may be surprised and encouraged by the amount of tolerance, trust, tenderness and love that exists between you.

However, problems can arise because of misunderstandings, differing expectations, and different ways of adapting to changes to your sex life. If this happens, you may find counselling helpful, either with your partner or on your own. You may be able to work through these challenges towards a new closeness and understanding.

  • Last Updated
  • Relevant Links
updated: 3 January 2023 - 2:36pm
American Cancer Society, Vulvar cancer
National Cancer Institute (US), Vulvar cancer treatment (PDQ®), patient version
Australian Cancer Trials

Related information

What is cancer?
What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease of the cells, which are the body’s basic building blocks.

Treatment and side effects
Treatment and side effects

The treatment that your doctors recommend will depend on the type of cancer you have, how advanced it is, and other personal factors.

Living with cancer
Living with cancer

A diagnosis of cancer marks the beginning of a journey full of emotional, psychological, physical and practical challenges.

Life after cancer
Life after cancer

While looking forward to finishing their cancer treatment and getting on with life, for some people, the end of treatment can also be a confusing or worrying time.

A-Z List of Cancer Types

Information on more than 70 types of cancer

  • Bladder cancer
  • Bowel cancer
  • Brain cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Breast cancer in men
  • Breast cancer in young women
  • Cervical cancer
  • Children's Cancer
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Fallopian cancer
  • Gestational trophoblastic disease
  • Gynaecological cancers
  • Head and neck cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Leukaemia
  • Liver cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Lymphoma
  • Melanoma of the skin
  • Mesothelioma cancer
  • Myeloma
  • Neuroendocrine tumours
  • Oesophageal cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Sarcoma
  • Stomach cancer
  • Testicular cancer
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Unknown primary
  • Uterine sarcoma
  • Vaginal cancer
  • Vulval cancer

About Cancer Australia

Cancer Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected by cancer, and their families and carers. Cancer Australia aims to reduce the impact of cancer, address disparities and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer by leading and coordinating national, evidence-based interventions across the continuum of care.

If you would like an interpreter to help you understand any information on this website, please call TIS National on 131 450 and ask them to call Cancer Australia on 02 9357 9400. Our business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Freecall 1800 624 973
+61 2 9357 9400

Locked Bag 3, Strawberry Hills
NSW 2012

Navigation

  • Cancer types
  • Impacted by Cancer
  • Awareness
  • Research
  • Resources
  • Clinicians hub
  • Key initiatives

Contact us

* Denotes mandatory fields
 

By submitting this form, you accept the Cancer Australia privacy policy.

  • Contact Us
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
  • Sitemap
Copyright © 2023 - Cancer Australia