Let’s Talk About Sex: Breast Cancer Survivor Meghan Koziel on Improving Your Sexuality & Confidence After Cancer

She was just 26 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I pretty much went through every type of treatment you can go through for breast cancer,” she says. “I went through fertility preservation. I did multiple rounds of chemotherapy. I did radiation, um, multiple reconstructive surgeries post my double mastectomy.”

The Pittsburgh native explains her impetus for celebrating sexuality post-cancer. She says, “I started my Instagram [because] feeling sexy after breast cancer is tough. Let’s just think about this. So you have your mastectomies if you choose to go that route. And literally, the main thing is so important just because we might’ve had double mastectomies, had our boobs taken off, um, had our ovaries removed are on anti-hormone therapies that, um, put you into like a sort of menopause or you’re on anti-hormone medications that put you into menopause at the age of 20 or 30.”

How to Reclaim Sexuality After Breast Cancer

Koziel is a role model for what’s possible after cancer, and how you can still continue to thrive, despite physical hardships. She’s also a big advocate for education, communication, and research, all in the name of fostering a healthy sex life after cancer. She says, “Communicate, tell [your partner] what feels good. Find different companies that can actually help your dryness, your pain and your discomfort [during sex].”

“Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor for suggestions, try different products, try different things that can help you have fun in the bedroom,” she says. “Don’t be afraid of different lubricants. Don’t be afraid of using CBD. Don’t be afraid of using toys. Women need to know that regaining your sexual confidence is a struggle. It’s not an overnight thing.”

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