I’m celibate at 22 after cancer killed my sex drive
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A recovering cancer patient has spoken about one of the lasting impacts treatment has had on her sex life: admitting it has made her ‘proudly celibate’.
Cambridge student Katie Mortimer says the rounds of chemotherapy she received to treat her acute myeloid leukemia killed her libido, but she couldn’t be happier about it.
‘I’m not ashamed to admit that I loved sex.
The intimacy, the nudity, the kissing – oh my god, the kissing!’ he tells Metro.couk.
“As a single woman in her early twenties, you would expect me to be in a relationship or exploring my sexuality. And, before a shock cancer diagnosis, I was very much. However, I happily plan to remain celibate for the foreseeable sake.
Katie was diagnosed in February last year after visiting her GP because she felt like she had a constant hangover, despite not drinking.
Katie was diagnosed in February last year after visiting her GP because she felt like she had a constant hangover, despite not drinking.
Tests revealed that her white blood cell count was alarmingly low, and within hours, she was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with cancer.
“I was distraught, devastated,” she recalls.
“I required immediate treatment and two weeks after starting chemotherapy I noticed that my sex drive had plummeted,” he added.
Cambridge student Katie Mortimer says rounds of chemotherapy she received to treat her acute myeloid leukemia killed her libido
Katie was diagnosed in February last year after visiting her GP because she felt like she had a constant hangover, despite not drinking.
“As many will know, chemotherapy and the plethora of medications that accompany it welcome an influx of far-reaching side effects. She was aware that this could happen, but this revulsion she felt (towards sex) was like no other.
For Katie, this was a drastic change from how she felt before.
“As the horny 22-year-old before, I never thought there would be a time when men and sex would put me off in a worrying way. But there were simply no signs of arousal.
Katie wondered which of her 25 morning pills made her hate sex
Despite these troubling feelings, Katie was more concerned about her health.
“My return home was overshadowed by the fear of relapse. The idea of sex didn’t even cross my mind.
Yet even once she had settled back into life outside the hospital, Katie still felt sexually uninspired.
Yet even once she had settled back into life outside the hospital, Katie still felt sexually uninspired.
“Before cancer I would never think about abstinence, simply because I was young and enjoyed sex. However, I want to talk about it because I want to help break any taboos around these forbidden conversations.
‘The reality is that I have barely thought about it, and I no longer get excited about the people I like.
‘I would never think of abstinence before cancer, simply because I was young and enjoyed sex. However, I want to talk about it because I want to help break any taboos around these forbidden conversations.
‘I just don’t see myself wanting to have sex for very long, and I’m fine with that. At the end of the day, it’s my life, and celibacy seems right for now.’
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