Home → Day-to-Day Matters → Sex and Intimacy → Ask-the-Expert Conferences: Intimacy and Sexuality → February 2008: Sex, Intimacy, and Breast Cancer → Resentment for healthy partner affecting sex life?

Resentment for healthy partner affecting sex life?

Page last modified on: October 6, 2008

Question from Lexi: I've been finding myself very jealous and actually angry that I have had to go through breast cancer, but that my partner hasn't. She's never been so healthy! I find myself pulling away from her intimately and emotionally. Any advice?: Answer —Leslie Schover, Ph.D.: I think that for gay women a special challenge of breast cancer is that you can so easily empathize with each other. And that means that the well partner sometimes pulls away because of her fear that she could be the one who's next. But it also could be the woman with breast cancer distances herself because having a healthy partner reminds her of what she's lost. The thing that is most important is to keep communicating with each other and I think it's important to let your partner know about those feelings and to talk about them. That may help the two of you feel closer, to share the experience. It's a normal human feeling, not something to be ashamed of.

On Wednesday, February 20, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Sex, Intimacy, and Breast Cancer. Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D. and Kara Nakisbendi, M.D. answered your questions about sexual side effects of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment, and what you can do about them.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

A production of LiveWorld, Inc.
Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

Was this resource helpful?

Yes No

Thank you for your input!

Email Updates

Stay informed about current research, online events, and more.

Meet the Experts

Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D. is a renowned psychologist with a special interest in helping people resolve or manage their sexual problems, especially those problems connected with a chronic illness such as cancer.

Kara Nakisbendi, M.D. is a Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, a Board Certified Nutrition Specialist and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Breastcancer.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease. Learn more about our commitment to providing complete, accurate, and private breast cancer information.

Breastcancer.org 7 East Lancaster Avenue, 3rd Floor Ardmore, PA 19003

View Mobile Site