Sexual Intimacy & Menopause Program
Our New Haven clinic is one of the first programs in the country to focus on rebuilding the lives of both women and men after they have survived cancer. While female survivors were the original focus of the clinic, our team of specialists has partnered with the Yale Department of Urology to provide similar services for male cancer survivors. Using a multidisciplinary approach, our providers address both the physical and psychological needs of all of our patients. We are only one of a handful of academic medical centers nationwide with a dedicated sexual intimacy clinic.
Our Approach
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than six million American women are cancer survivors. Eighty and 90% of ovarian and breast cancer survivors in the United States have issues with sexuality and do not know where to turn. Returningto normal levels of intimacy is vital to the recovery process. Our program combines medical and psychological care to help women reconnect withtheir bodies, sexuality, and loved ones by addressing problems ranging from loss of sex drive to early onset menopause. We also offer services to our male patients who may experience sexual issues in their relationships after surviving cancer.
Survivors can choose from various treatment options, including acupuncture, reiki (a Japanese technique used for stress reduction and relaxation to promote healing), physical therapy, counseling, and both medical and herbal remedies. For some patients, a single visit to the clinic may suffice while others may require continued support. All of our patients in the program spend time with a counselor.