Reclaiming Sexual Health After Cancer: A Pelvic Floor Therapist’s Perspective
Cancer changes many aspects of life—your health, your energy, your relationships, and even your intimacy. For many survivors, sexual health becomes an afterthought in the fight against cancer. But after treatment, when the focus shifts to healing and rebuilding, many find themselves facing unexpected challenges like pain, dryness, and loss of libido.
Physicians oftentimes are not your best resource for this topic. Their focus is on saving your life (obliviously very important), but less focused on helping you LIVE your life.
The good news is that you don’t have to accept these changes as the new normal, there is help. As Doctors of Physical Therapy and Board-Certified Women’s Health specialists, we specialize in helping survivors reclaim their sexual health and confidence.
What Is Pelvic Health
Pelvic health refers to the overall well-being and proper function of the muscles, organs, and structures within the pelvis. It plays a key role in several essential bodily functions, including bladder, bowel and sexual function, as well as support and stability of the pelvis, hips and back. The pelvic floor is a key part of pelvic health.
The pelvic floor itself is comprised of the nerves, muscles, tendons and ligaments that extend from the center of the pubic bone along the groin to the tailbone. There are three hammock-shaped layers of muscles inside the pelvis that support the bladder and rectum. For men, their pelvic floor also supports the prostate. In women, the uterus, cervix and vagina.
A disruption in pelvic floor function can lead to bladder or bowel leakage, incontinence, constipation, difficulty emptying your bladder, frequent bathroom trips, lower back or hip pain, difficulty sitting or moving or intimacy issues. Pelvic floor therapists are well versed in improving function and providing cancer patients with relief.
How Cancer Treatment Affects Pelvic and Sexual Health
Changes in the muscles and tissues surrounding the pelvic floor—whether from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation—can result in pain, dysfunction, and weakness. While these treatments may be necessary, their aftereffects can impact organ function, posture, and overall stability. Weakness or tightness in the hips, abdomen, pelvis, and lower back can make daily activities more difficult. Some cancer treatments leave behind soft tissue restrictions, painful scarring, and altered sensation. Without proper intervention, these physical changes can take a toll on mental well-being, making it harder to adapt to and recover from the body’s transformation.
Depending on the type of cancer and treatment received, survivors may experience factors that influence their pelvic and sexual health including:
Pelvic floor muscle tension or weakness – from surgery, radiation, or guarding patterns developed due to pain.
Vaginal dryness & tissue changes – common after chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy.
Pain with intimacy (dyspareunia) – often caused by scar tissue, nerve sensitivity, or hormonal shifts.
Decreased libido & body confidence – cancer treatment impacts not just the body, but also emotions and self-image.
How Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Help
When it comes to pelvic floor therapy treatment after cancer, we as pelvic floor experts are dedicated to helping women gain back mobility, flexibility and function by utilizing several techniques. The techniques we utilize are tailored to each individuals unique needs and prior treatment, whether that be surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.
As experts in Women’s Health, we focus not only on the physical recovery but also on retraining the brain-body connection. After pain or trauma, the nervous system may remain in a state of protection, causing muscles to stay tense or unresponsive. Through different strategies, we help patients restore proper communication between the brain and pelvic floor muscles. By addressing both the physical and neurological components of healing, we empower survivors to regain function, reduce pain, and reconnect with their bodies in a safe and supportive way.
Some of the interventions we provide may include:
Manual Therapy & Myofascial Release – Helps address tightness and scar tissue restrictions in the pelvic floor and surrounding areas that may be caused from radiation scarring or muscle guarding
Dilator Therapy & Desensitization – Improves flexibility, reduces pain with penetration, and retrains the nervous system.
Lubrication & Moisturization Strategies – Guidance on non-irritating lubricants and vaginal moisturizers to combat dryness especially in cases where there be hormonal changes due to prior treatments.
Neuromuscular Re-education – Helps restore muscle coordination and blood flow for improved function, sensations and connection to the body.
Education & Empowerment – Understanding your body’s changes and learning how to reclaim comfort and pleasure through learning your new body and discovery new or modified ways of intimacy.
Signs You May Benefit From Pelvic Floor Therapy After Cancer Treatment
After cancer treatment, you might benefit from pelvic floor therapy if you experience any of the following:
1.Pelvic Pain & Discomfort
Pain in the pelvic region, hips, lower back, or abdomen.
Pain with sitting, walking, or certain movements.
Sensations of tightness, burning, or pressure in the pelvis.
2. Sexual Health Challenges
Pain or discomfort during intimacy (dyspareunia).
Vaginal dryness, irritation, or reduced sensation.
Difficulty with arousal, orgasm, or penetration.
Erectile dysfunction or penile pain.
3. Bladder & Bowel Dysfunction
Increased urinary urgency or frequency.
Leaking urine (incontinence) with sneezing, coughing, or exertion.
Painful urination or difficulty fully emptying the bladder.
Constipation, straining, or fecal leakage.
4. Post-Surgical or Radiation-Related Changes
Abdominal or pelvic scar tissue that feels tight or painful.
Pelvic muscle weakness or lack of coordination.
Changes in posture or core strength affecting balance and stability.
5. Emotional & Nervous System Symptoms
Feeling disconnected from your body or avoiding certain movements.
Fear of pain leading to muscle guarding and tension.
Stress, anxiety, or reduced confidence related to intimacy or body changes.
Pelvic floor therapy can help survivors regain function, reduce pain, and improve quality of life by addressing these physical and neurological changes. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you don’t have to suffer in silence— we are here to help.
Sexual Health Is Health
If you’ve been struggling with intimacy after cancer, you are not alone. Your body has been through so much, but healing is possible—with the right guidance, support, and a personalized plan. Recovery from anything in life is always a process, including pelvic floor therapy. No two individuals journeys look the same. An important aspect of healing is you being ready to regain your intimacy and sexual health.
At Pelvic Wellness Physical Therapy, we work with cancer survivors to help them regain confidence, connection, and comfort. We are experts in this field and understand the importance of quality of life - and for many, intimacy is part of your overall health. Whether you’re experiencing pain, tension, or changes in desire, pelvic floor therapy can be a crucial step in reclaiming your sexual health.
If this resonates with you, we’re here to help. Reach out to schedule a consultation or share this with someone who needs to hear it. You can get in touch with us through a variety of convenient methods:
· Visit Our Website: Explore more about our services, read patient testimonials, and learn more about us on our website.
· Schedule Online: Ready to book your appointment or consultation? Use our easy online scheduling tool to find a time that works for you.
· Call Us: Prefer to speak with someone directly? We are happy to answer your questions and help you book your first appointment. Give us a call at 402-625-0313
· Email Us: Have more detailed questions? Send us an email at nicole@pelvicwellnessomaha.com and we’ll get back to you promptly.
About Pelvic Wellness Physical Therapy
Pelvic Wellness Physical Therapy is a pelvic health specialty physical therapy clinic in Omaha, NE that focuses on individualized treatment of pelvic floor conditions to determine the root cause of the symptoms. Our goal is to evaluate every patient in a holistic manner to determine the best treatment methods to help return patients to what they love.
Pelvic floor symptoms can be embarrassing and lonely. When pee, poop and sex are not functioning the way we expect, our life is significantly impacted. Pelvic Wellness is here to listen and be your guide in eliminating these symptoms and regaining your life back.
If you are dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction or are wondering if you might be a good fit for an evaluation, schedule a free online consultation here, or call us (402)-625-0313.
