Can couples have sex during radiation therapy?

Generally speaking, it is not recommended for couples to have intercourse during radiotherapy, but they can have intercourse in moderation when the situation permits. During the radiotherapy period, the patient’s physical state is generally poorer, resistance is also poorer, and even the mental state is not good, if the husband and wife have intercourse, it may affect the patient’s physical recovery. In addition, some patients may be treated with radionuclides, after radiotherapy, the patient’s body will retain radioactive substances, usually takes 2 to 3 days to disappear. It is generally recommended to keep a distance of three meters away from the patient. Therefore, just after radiotherapy, it is not recommended for couples to cohabitate, otherwise they may be affected by the radionuclide. In addition, if the patient’s radiotherapy site is the cervix, vagina and vulva, couples are generally not recommended to have intercourse. This is because radiotherapy can cause mild or moderate damage to the local mucosa of the cervix, vagina and vulva, and coitus may cause local infection. After radiotherapy, if the patient’s state is stable and the white blood cell level is normal, coitus can be carried out appropriately, but it is necessary to pay attention to good contraceptive measures.