Help husband understand low sex drive?
Meet the Experts
Debra Barton, Ph.D. is a nurse coordinator at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where she directs clinical trials in cancer control and chemoprevention.
Charles Loprinzi, M.D. is an emeritus chairman of the division of medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Along with hot flash management, his research focuses on ways to reduce pain as well as appetite changes caused by breast cancer treatment.
Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.
Question from Heather: I have no "drive" whatsoever right now. I don't want to disappoint my husband. How can I make him understand?
- Answers —Debra Barton, Ph.D: Open communication is key with any issue that a man or woman is experiencing in their relationship with their significant other. It might be helpful to seek some counseling in order to come to an agreement or a compromise on how both people can get their needs met.
- Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: Talking outside the bedroom will probably be easier than trying to bring this up at a moment when your husband is hoping for physical intimacy. Trying to bring the play back into your intimate life may take some of the pressure off of you as well. If you recently completed your treatment for breast cancer, you can expect some return to normal as you start to feel more like yourself. If you were treated a while ago, you and your husband may need to find other ways to rekindle the spark.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2002, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Managing Menopausal Symptoms. Charles Loprinzi, M.D., Debra Barton, Ph.D., and Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions about hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, and other symptoms associated with menopause.
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.
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