Sakditad Saowapa: Optimizing Sexual Activity and Minimizing Infection Risk in Patients with Neutropenia
Sakditad Saowapa, Hematology and Oncology fellow at the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, shared a post on LinkedIn about a recent article by Sigrun Einarsdottir et al, adding:
“Sexual activity during neutropenia: how should we counsel our patients?
A thoughtful perspective in JCO Oncology Practice addresses an often overlooked topic in oncology care.
Key points:
- Sexual health remains a key component of quality of life, even during intensive chemotherapy or stem-cell transplantation.
- Evidence supporting strict sexual restrictions during neutropenia is limited and heterogeneous.
- In stable monogamous relationships, routine condom use solely for infection prevention may not be necessary if the partner is healthy and there are no mucosal injuries.
- More caution is advised with anal sex (fecal exposure), new or multiple partners, severe mucositis, or prolonged profound neutropenia.
- Gentle hygiene is sufficient; excessive washing may disrupt mucosal barriers.
- Condom use may still be recommended shortly after chemotherapy to avoid exposing partners to cytotoxic drugs.
Takeaway:
Rather than blanket restrictions, clinicians should provide individualized, risk-based counseling that balances infection prevention with patient well-being and intimacy needs.”
Title: Sexual Activity During Neutropenia and Immunosuppression: What Do You Tell Your Patient?
Authors: Sigrun Einarsdottir, Cecilia Olofsson, Sinja Kristiansen, Cecilia Kärrberg, Cornelia Liebau, Eva Smith Knutsson, Petra Tunbäck, Anna Nordlander
Read the Full Article on JCO Oncology Practice
Stay updated on all scientific advances with Hemostasis Today.
-
May 12, 2026, 16:46Tagreed Alkaltham: Why Apheresis Matters in Modern Transfusion Medicine
-
May 12, 2026, 16:37Reinhold Kreutz: Cardiovascular Burden in Acute Intermittent Porphyria Needs Greater Awareness
-
May 12, 2026, 16:33Pablo Corral: The Truth About Very Low LDL-Cholesterol
-
May 12, 2026, 16:24Mildred Lundgren: We Must Talk About the Invisible Causes of Stroke
-
May 12, 2026, 16:17Irene Scala: The Sex Disparities In Access to Acute Stroke Treatments In Italy
-
May 12, 2026, 16:04May Nour: UCLA Health Mobile Stroke Unit Becomes The 1st In The World to Perform mCTA In the Field
-
May 12, 2026, 15:57Leonardo Roever: Prognostic Impact of Lipoprotein(a) and CAR in Elderly Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients
-
May 12, 2026, 15:54Bruno Pougault: Prioritizing Laboratory Tests in Resource-Limited Emergency Care
-
May 12, 2026, 15:37Jennifer Holter Chakrabarty: Supporting the Next Generation of Hematology Researchers