Shannen Doherty: The Charmed actress explains how cancer killed her sex drive

Cancer is a terrible disease and it impacts many people every year. Some are lucky enough to pull through while others pass away within months. Celebrities aren’t immune and Shannen Doherty has been battling cancer for almost ten years now.

In 2015, Doherty was first diagnosed with breast cancer. In 2017 she announced that she was in remission but, in 2020, she said that her breast cancer had come back and that it had been labelled terminal. Three years later, in June 2023, she revealed in an Instagram post that her terminal breast cancer had spread to her brain and inNovember, she announced that her cancer had spread to her bones.

In January 2024, she spoke about a new ‘miracle’ treatment on her podcast Let's Be Clear with Shannen Doherty. The new treatment, she explained, was able to break ‘down the blood brain barrier’.

Now, a month later, the actress opens up about one of the unexpected impacts cancer had on her day-to-day life.

Shannen Doherty talks about her sex-drive

People reported on the conversation Doherty had with her friend and model Anne Marie Kortright on her podcast. The two women who have known each other for years tell the story of the day Kortright took Doherty to see an obstetrician/gynaecologist who specialises in women’s sexual health.

In the episode, Doherty opens up about ‘what cancer does to your libido’. She explains:

I mean, when you're feeling not great about yourself that's going to kill your libido — but then…when meds take your libido away, or it makes things not as pleasant, like sex doesn't feel as good.

According to the way the story is told, it is understood that it was difficult for the actress to take steps toward caring for her sexual health. Kortright explains that, even though they are both ‘conservative’ they still went to the appointment. There, the specialist proceeded to give Doherty a sex-toy.

Kortright, talking about the day, says:

Shannen was like — I've never seen her this embarrassed

Shannen Doherty’s motivations

On her podcast, the Charmed actress explains that, though it was a difficult step to take, she felt it was needed. She explicates:

She (Anne Marie Kortright) took me because, you know, I specifically said to her, ‘I need to do something. Things aren't working and this isn't the life that I want to live.

Later adding:

I also don't want my husband to live like this

However, even though Doherty went to the appointment and took the toy with her she reveals that ‘I think it stayed in (her) bag for a really long time’. Doherty also expands on the fact that her libido wasn’t just gone because of her cancer but because of other factors as well.

She quotes ‘perimenopause, menopause, just getting older’ as reasons for her lower drive. She highlights that these factors impact ‘not just your exterior’ but also ‘the whole way that your body is reacting and responding’.

It takes away your confidence. It takes away your identity.

This is far from the first time Doherty talks about a lesser known impact of having cancer. Previously, the actress made a point of keeping her diagnosis secret while she was filmed the reboot of Beverly Hills 90210 because she wanted to prove that ‘life doesn’t end the minute we get that diagnosis.’

In November 2023, she also did a cover story with People to announce that her cancer had spread to her bones in order to raise awareness.

Read more:

⋙ Breast Cancer Awareness Month: These 8 celebrities have been diagnosed with breast cancer

⋙ Shannen Doherty talks about her difficult battle with cancer: 'Today has been a hard day'

⋙ Breast Cancer Awareness Month: This bad habit could be very dangerous for your health

Sources:

The Guardian: Shannen Doherty reveals breast cancer has spread to her brain

ABC News: Shannen Doherty says she is undergoing 'miracle' cancer treatment

People: Shannen Doherty Says Cancer Killed Her Libido: 'Sex Doesn't Feel as Good'

People: Shannen Doherty Wants to 'Embrace Life' as Cancer Has Spread to Her Bones: 'My Greatest Memory Is Yet to Come' (Exclusive)