Breast cancer is a life-altering diagnosis that affects millions of women each year. While much attention is given to the direct impacts of treatment on breast tissue, it’s important to recognize that cancer treatments like chemotherapy and hormone therapy can also have significant indirect effects on other areas of your body, including the pelvic floor. This post will explain how these treatments can affect your pelvic floor and offer some practical strategies to support your recovery and well-being.
What is the Pelvic Floor?
First, let’s take a quick refresher on the pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is a group of muscles, ligaments, and tissues that form the base of your pelvis. These tissues play a key role in controlling bladder and bowel function, supporting the pelvic organs, sexual health, and providing stability to your core.
Some common side effects of cancer treatments affecting the pelvic floor can include: atrophy pelvic floor musculature, shortening of the vaginal canal, vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse (45% or higher in breast cancer survivors), and urinary incontinence (38% with breast cancer).
How Breast Cancer Treatment Affects the Pelvic Floor
While breast cancer treatment may not directly target the pelvic floor, it can have several indirect impacts. Let’s explore how chemotherapy and hormone therapy can affect your pelvic health.
1. Chemotherapy: The Hidden Impact on Pelvic Health
Chemotherapy works by attacking rapidly dividing cells, which includes cancer cells, but it can also affect other healthy cells in your body. For many women, one of the side effects of chemotherapy is hormonal disruption, which can lead to early menopause or ovarian suppression.
Impact on the Pelvic Floor:
- Hormonal Changes: Chemotherapy can reduce estrogen levels, which is particularly significant since estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of pelvic tissues, including the vaginal and bladder tissues. Lower estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness, thinning of the vaginal walls, and urinary urgency or incontinence.
- Reduced Core Strength: Chemotherapy-related fatigue can lead to decreased physical activity, which, over time, can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. Less activity also means reduced blood flow to the pelvic area, potentially impacting tissue health.
2. Hormone Therapy: The Long-Term Effects on Pelvic Health
Hormone therapy is commonly used in the treatment of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. While effective in reducing cancer recurrence, it can also have long-term effects on the pelvic floor and overall health.
Impact on the Pelvic Floor:
- Continued Estrogen Deficiency: Similar to chemotherapy, hormone therapy (like tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) can reduce estrogen levels, leading to symptoms such as vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and bladder urgency.
- Bone Health: Long-term use of hormone therapy can also lead to a decrease in bone density, which can affect posture and contribute to pelvic pain or instability. Weakened bones may also increase the risk of pelvic floor dysfunction due to altered body mechanics.
What Can You Do to Improve Your Pelvic Health?
Breast cancer treatments may affect your pelvic health in ways that aren’t immediately obvious, but there are many strategies you can use to mitigate these effects. Here’s a summary of the most effective steps you can take:
- Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy: A pelvic floor physiotherapist can guide you through treatment for many aspects of your pelvic health including hands-on treatments, tailored exercise plans, and advice on managing symptoms of incontinence, pelvic pain, and sexual discomfort.
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: Alongside a pelvic floor physiotherapist, pelvic floor exercises can be prescribed as a treatment option for you. An assessment is important to determine the appropriate exercises needed, which could involve strengthening, relaxation, or dilator exercises.
- Manage Vaginal Dryness: Use moisturizers and lubricants to address dryness and discomfort. Non-hormonal options are available if you want to avoid estrogen-based treatments. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can recommend different options available.
- Physical Activity: Regular exercise helps maintain muscle strength, bone health, and pelvic floor function.
- Seek Support: Emotional and mental well-being are just as important as physical health. If you’re struggling with the emotional impact of breast cancer treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out to a counselor or support group.
Conclusion
Breast cancer treatment is undoubtedly challenging, and it’s crucial to pay attention to how it may be affecting your pelvic floor. By understanding the indirect effects of cancer treatments, you can take proactive steps to maintain pelvic health and improve your quality of life. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a pelvic floor physiotherapist or other healthcare professional to help guide you through this process. Remember, your pelvic health is just as important as your breast health, and with the right care, you can feel empowered and supported during your recovery journey.