But when a woman's ovaries are removed as part of cancer surgery, or when the ovaries are damaged by chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy, the loss of estrogen can trigger hot flashes and the vagina can become tight and dry. Some women can take replacement hormones to help alleviate these problems, and lubricating gels are also available to make intercourse easier. In women, about half of the androgens are made in the adrenal glands and half in the ovaries. When a woman goes through natural menopause, the adrenal glands keep making hormones. Women only need a tiny amount of androgen to have a normal level of sexual desire.
Most women have enough androgens, even after menopause.
Women who have premature menopause due to cancer treatment sometimes have lower androgen levels, which can decrease sexual desire and pleasure. However, a blood test can easily pinpoint this problem and replacement androgen hormones can often be safely prescribed. Pain Pain can clearly impact sexuality, and not only from a physical perspective. Even if the pain is not severe, it may be sufficient to prevent pleasure during intercourse. Other pain can be more lingering, including painful intercourse as a result of certain cancer surgeries, vaginal dryness, and sensitive skin tissue.