Sex and Cancer: Infection

Chemotherapy & radiotherapy also kills other cells, not just cancer cells. Neutrophils are one of the white blood cells that help to fight infection and these are greatly reduced when having treatment. The neutrophil count is usually at its lowest about 7-10 days after having chemotherapy, before the bone marrow recovers and starts to make healthy cells again. However, this length of time might depend on which chemotherapy you are having, so you may wish to check with your cancer care team when they expect your immune system to be at its lowest and for how long.

When your neutrophil count drops very low (to 0.5 or less) this is called being neutropenic. When you are neutropenic your body is less able to fight infection. If you get an infection when you are neutropenic, you will need urgent treatment and this is classed as a medical emergency. You will need strong antibiotics to help your body to destroy the infection.

There are lots of ways that you can get an infection, including having sex with someone who has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or from any little cuts/grazes/tears on the skin in or around the genital, vaginal or anal area.

After a procedure like a Bone Marrow Transplant it is advised that you use a barrier method (e.g. an internal or external condom or dam) every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex for at least 6 months as you will still be vulnerable to infections.