AYA Resources

Sexual Health

Sexual health is an umbrella term that includes how your sex organs (i.e. vagina, penis) function and your physical, mental, emotional and social wellbeing in relation to your sexuality. Sexuality is the presence or absence of your sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviours towards other people.

Cancer and cancer treatment can impact your sexual health. This can include:

• Loss of libido (sex drive)
• Difficulty having orgasms
• Vaginal health concerns: vaginal dryness, pain with penetration (insertion of a body part or other object into the vagina)
• Erectile dysfunction, pain with ejaculation, dry orgasms, climaturia (when a small amount of pee leaks out during an orgasm
• Premenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, problems sleeping and irritability

There are different ways to help manage issues related to sexual health. If you are having any of the above issues, inform your health care provider. ​

Sexual Health Resources

Cancer and Sexuality

• Intimacy and Sex (Cancer Care Ontario) »
• Sex, Intimacy and Cancer (Candaian Cancer Society) »

Vaginal Health

• Vaginal Dialators »
• How to Manage Vaginal Stenosis »
• Know How to Use Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubricants »

Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy

• College of Physiotherapists of Ontario »
• Pelvic Health Solutions »

Testicular/Penile Health

• Sexual Problems in Male Sex Organs (Canadian Cancer Society) »

Sex with an Ostomy

• Living with a Stoma: Sex & Parenthood (Hollister Ostomy Care) »
• A Guide to Sex with an Ostomy (Ostomy Guide) »

Sexual and Gender Diversity in Cancer Care

• Sexual and Gender Diversity in Cancer Care at the Princess Margaret »
• Sexual and Gender Diversity and Cancer: A Guide to Community Resources »

Journal Articles and Studies

• Talking about sex with health professionals: the experience of people with cancer and their partners
• Cultural Differences in the Treatment of Sex Problems
• Sexual Health Needs and Educational Intervention Preferences for Women with Cancer
• Supporting transvisibility and gender diversity in nursing practice and education: embracing cultural safety
• Communicating about sexuality in cancer care
• Sexual quality of life in men and women after cancer
• How to ask and what to do: A guide for clinical inquiry and intervention regarding female sexual health after cancer
• Vaginal Health Promotion Strategies
• Health-Related Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Sexual Changes Following Prostate Cancer: A Comparison of Gay and Bisexual Men With Heterosexual Men
• An Integrated Model of Sexual Health
• Interprofessional Healthcare, Cancer and Sexuality Module
• Ethical Scenarios
• World Association for Sexual Health International Standards of Practice for Sexuality Educators and Sexual Health Promotion
• World Association for Sexual Health International Standards of Practice for Sexual Counsellors and Sexual Psychotherapists
• World Association for Sexual Health Guiding Ethical Principles

Support Services

Princess Margaret/UHN:

• Sex and Intimacy Class »
• Sexual Health Clinic »

In the Community:

• BESTCO: Board of Examiners in Sex Therapy & Counselling in Ontario » (Find a sex therapist)