Chemotherapy also has an impact on a woman's quality of life and sexuality. Many women find it difficult to respond sexually when they are feeling the fatigue, nausea and diarrhea that are common side effects of some chemotherapeutic agents. As part of the ongoing assessment of a patient, the nurse should ask if the treatments are interfering with the woman's relationship with her family and partner or her ability to respond sexually. Using this information, the nurse can intervene appropriately by obtaining pain medication, antiemetics or antidiarrheals. The nurse may also suggest alternate forms of loving such as cuddling, kissing and massage.
Many chemotherapeutic agents cause bone marrow suppression .
When appropriate, the nurse must instruct the patient on neutropenic and thrombocytopenic precautions. Again the nurse can suggest alternate forms of lovemaking. It may also help the couple to let the partner know that handwashing and wearing a mask will allow them to be close while still protecting the woman from infection. Alopecia is another common side effect of chemotherapy. The loss of hair is a constant reminder to a woman that she is living with cancer.