Living with Hodgkin lymphoma
Feeling anxious and stressed is common, and mood can affect your interest in having sex. But there is no physical reason why Hodgkin lymphoma or its treatment should stop you from having sex.
You may have times when you don’t feel like having sex because you are too tired, or you have other side effects of treatment.
Speaking openly with your partner and sharing your concerns or worries can help. Talk to your doctor or healthcare team for more advice.
Always use reliable contraception when you are having treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. You should not become pregnant or get someone pregnant while having chemotherapy or other cancer treatments. This is because some treatments can harm the baby and increase the risk of miscarriage. You may need to continue using contraception for a little while after your treatment has finished. Your doctor will discuss this with you.
It is not known for sure whether cancer drugs, such as chemotherapy, can be passed on through semen or secretions from the vagina. Because of this your doctor might advise you to use a barrier contraception, such as condoms. This is usually only while you are having treatment. You should use the barrier method when having vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Find out more about sex and cancer
Treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma can make it harder for you to get pregnant in the future. Before treatment, your doctor will talk to you about your risk of infertility.
If you have a partner, you may want to speak to your doctor together so that you can both discuss any fears or worries. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Being well informed can help you cope.
If you are a woman, chemotherapy may affect your by:
changing or stopping your period
damaging your
reducing the number of eggs your ovaries produce
causing changes
Chemotherapy can make it difficult for you to get pregnant naturally by causing you to have an early menopause. Menopause is when your periods stop permanently. It is not always possible for your doctor to be certain whether this will happen. It will depend on:
how fertile you are before treatment
your age
the treatment you have
You may have radiotherapy to your pelvis or tummy (abdomen) if you have lymphoma in that area. The pelvis is the lower part of your abdomen between your hips. It contains the pelvic organs, including the , lower bowel, ovaries and .
Radiotherapy to the pelvis can cause infertility and changes to your vagina such as dryness, and narrowing of the vagina.
It is sometimes possible to move the ovaries out of the treatment area before radiotherapy begins. This is called ovarian transposition.
Your doctor might offer you hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to reduce menopausal symptoms. This includes:
hot flushes and sweats
dryness of the vagina
less interest in sex
dry skin
low energy
mood swings, difficulty concentrating or feeling low
HRT replaces oestrogen and progesterone, the hormones your body normally makes. Having HRT will not stop you from becoming infertile because it does not help your ovaries to make eggs. But you may still have a period each month.
HRT can also help to prevent long term problems like thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) and heart disease. It can cause a small increase in the risk of some cancers but the benefits usually outweigh this risk.
You can take HRT as a tablet or a patch, like a plaster.
Read more about hormones and cancer
Hodgkin lymphoma treatment can make it harder for you to father a child in the future. Your doctor will talk to you about this before starting treatment.
If you are a man, chemotherapy can affect your fertility by:
reducing the number of sperm you make
affecting the ability of the sperm to fertilise an egg
affecting the production of the hormone testosterone
This may be temporary or may mean you can no longer father a child.
You may have radiotherapy to your pelvis if you have lymphoma in that area. This can affect your sex life and your fertility.
Radiotherapy to the pelvis can cause painful ejaculation, problems with erections and lowered interest in sex. This usually recovers after treatment has finished but talk to your healthcare team if you have any concerns.
Your doctor might suggest using a shield to try to protect your pelvis and groin area during radiotherapy.
Read more about radiotherapy to the pelvis for men
A possible long term side effect of a stem cell transplant is infertility in men and women. This is because of the high dose chemotherapy you have. Your doctor will tell you if it is likely that you will become infertile.
If you have a partner, you might want to see your doctor together so you can both discuss any fears or worries. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Being well informed can help you cope.
There are options available for men and women to preserve their fertility. It is important to discuss your fertility with your doctor before treatment.
If you want to have children after your treatment you might be able to freeze your eggs or embryos. There is research looking into ways to help women keep their fertility when having chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Find out more about fertility options for women
It is usually possible for you to have sperm collected and stored before you start treatment. This is called sperm banking. It means you could be able to have children in the future through fertility treatment. Ask your doctor or specialist nurse to refer you to a fertility clinic.
Find out more about fertility options for men
It can be distressing to find out that your Hodgkin lymphoma treatment can cause infertility. Even if you hadn’t thought about having children before, losing your fertility can be very difficult to cope with. It can also affect how you feel about yourself.
It takes time to adjust. You need to give yourself time to come to terms with it.
Find out about coping with infertility, resources and support
Talking to your friends and relatives about your cancer can help and support you. However, your sex life is very personal. You may find it difficult to talk with your partner or your doctor about any sexual difficulties you have from treatment. It is also normal for people who are not currently in relationships to have worries about sex and fertility during cancer treatment.
You might find it easier to talk to someone outside your own friends and family. Some people find it helpful to talk to a therapist or counsellor.
Last reviewed: 05 Apr 2024
Next review due: 05 Apr 2027
Coping with Hodgkin lymphoma can be difficult. There are things you can do and people who can help you and your family to cope with a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma.
You might have a stem cell transplant as part of your treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. Find out about life after a transplant for Hodgkin lymphoma.
There are organisations, support groups, videos and other resources to help you cope with Hodgkin lymphoma. Find out what is available for you.
The main treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma include chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The treatment you have depends on a number of things such as the type and stage of Hodgkin lymphoma and your general health.
You have regular follow up after treatment. This is to check how you are and whether you have any problems. Find out about follow up appointments and tests after treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. Find out more about the tests, treatments and support available if you have Hodgkin lymphoma.
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