Why has my wife lost interest in sex after breast cancer surgery?
Dr Samir Parikh
Director and Consultant,
Psychiatry,
Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj,
Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
Director and Consultant,
Psychiatry,
Fortis Flt. Lt. Rajan Dhall Hospital, Vasant Kunj,
Fortis Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon
Q: I am 40 years old and married for the last 10 years. My wife was operated for cancer of the left breast recently. I am not having any physical relations with her for the past 8-9 months, as she does not take any interest in it. I am getting frustrated. Please help.
A:It is important to empathise with her, for a woman going through a surgery of breast has a lot of psychological impacts, added on to the stress of cancer. Also depressive episodes are common, and talking to a psychiatrist helps. You need to give her time, and be supportive, and let her feel comfortable with her self and the life situation first.