The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 20,000 women Americans will be diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2024. While bladder cancer occurs less frequently in women than men, women are more likely to get it. advanced stages and lower survival rates. Bladder cancer is also more likely to occur in recent years, approximately 9 out of 10 people are over 55 years old.
Since your bladder is close to your reproductive organs, you may wonder how those organs could be affected if you have bladder cancer.
HealthyWomen spoke with two experts to get answers to the most frequently asked questions about caring for your reproductive health when you have bladder cancer.
Lee A. Richter, MDis a board-certified urologist and associate professor of urology, obstetrics, and gynecology at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Melissa Donohueis a licensed clinical social worker and certified sex therapist.
Can bladder cancer spread to my reproductive organs?
if you have bladder cancer, means that cancer cells are present in the bladder. Most of the time, the cancer stays inside the bladder, but in some cases it leaves the bladder lining and spreads into or out of the muscle. This is known as muscle-invasive bladder cancer. And it is rare, but possible, for this cancer to spread to the reproductive organs.
Does being in menopause increase my risk of bladder cancer?
There is some evidence that seems to suggest that the risk of bladder cancer increases during menopause. happens at a young age, but the data is not strong enough to say for sure. There is also not enough evidence to show that hormones, such as estrogen, cause bladder cancer.
However, the chances of getting bladder cancer increase with age. Menopause is a hormonal change, so although there is not enough evidence to say that menopause increases the risk, postmenopausal people have a higher risk of bladder cancer compared to premenopausal people.
Can being in perimenopause or menopause make it difficult to get a diagnosis?
Blood in the urine is a major symptom of bladder cancer. So, if you’re perimenopause and still having your period, it can be difficult to know where the blood is coming from. Being in menopause also increases the risk of getting urinary tract infections (due to lower estrogen levels), and urinary tract infections are another reason why there is blood in the urine. Your healthcare provider (HCP) may want to make sure the blood is not coming from any of these other causes before performing cancer screening tests.
But, as long as your healthcare professional is following their protocols To check blood in the urine, bladder cancer could spread and be more advanced when it is detected.
If you are tested for a UTI and get a negative result, it is important to follow up with your doctor to see what is causing blood in your urine. Bladder cancer and urinary tract infections can also occur at the same time, so if you are diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and suspect something is wrong, it’s okay to order more tests.
Read: For almost a year, doctors dismissed my bladder cancer symptoms as urinary tract infections >>
Can I continue taking birth control during cancer treatment?
You can continue using hormonal and non-hormonal birth control even if you have bladder cancer. Bladder cancer does not use hormones to grow and spread, so it is safe to use hormonal contraceptives, such as the pill or a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD). Non-hormonal birth control methods, such as the copper IUD, spermicides, and condoms, are also safe.
Will bladder cancer treatment affect my fertility?
Because bladder cancer rarely affects the reproductive organs, treatment for bladder cancer usually does not involve removing the uterus or ovaries. There is a procedure called Genital-sparing cystectomywhich removes the bladder, but leaves the uterus and ovaries in place.
There is a type of therapy known as neoadjuvant chemotherapywhich is chemotherapy given before cystectomy surgery to reduce and control the size and spread of the cancer before the surgeon removes the cancer and the bladder.
If you have to receive this type of chemotherapy, you will not be able to get pregnant in the future and may develop menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes or vaginal dryness.
How can bladder cancer treatment affect my sex life?
Chemotherapy can cause vaginal dryness, which can cause irritation. It can also cause mouth sores, making kissing and intimacy difficult. You may also feel nauseated or fatigued, which can make it difficult to want to have sex.
Bladder surgery can also leave you with a urostomy bag, which is a bag that collects urine outside the body. For some people, this can make them feel self-conscious around their partner. Sometimes part of the vagina needs to be removed and this can shorten or narrow the vaginal canal, making sexual intercourse uncomfortable, more difficult or, in some cases, impossible.
Communication, patience and compassion are key components for every couple. It can help create new patterns, find your new normal, and redefine what sex is for you and your partner.
Read: Sex after bladder cancer >>
Resources
Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network
This educational resource was created with the support of Astellas and Pfizer.
