Please note that not all psychosexual therapists deliver relationship therapy so be sure to understand which issues you want to discuss so you can seek the correct support. In some clinical situations - discussions around intimacy may be dominated by fertility issues - for example, advice to avoid pregnancy (or getting your partner pregnant) during certain cancer treatments e.g., chemotherapy or RLT. However, it is also important to discuss sex itself. If you are sexually active you may be advised to use some form of barrier method (condoms, femidoms) during treatment to prevent pregnancy. Even if pregnancy is not a concern, if you are having oral, vaginal, anal sex, you may be advised to use some form of barrier method (condoms, femidoms, dental dams). This is to protect your sexual partner from the potential risk of irritation, caused by small amounts of certain substances (from chemotherapy or RLT) possibly remaining in bodily fluids such as semen, urine, rectal and vaginal secretions. These barrier methods can also reduce the risk of the possibility of infection, especially if you are known to be at risk of infection because of a low white blood cell count (neutropenia). While you may be advised to take steps to prevent infection, rarely should this prevent you from enjoying sex with your partner. Therefore, even if avoiding pregnancy is not a concern for you, the barrier method of contraception may be applicable. Ask for clarification if advice is not offered or seems unclear.
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