How the Sexual Side Effects of Cancer Treatment Led to Entwine Dating with Anna Leonarda

Intimacy after a cancer diagnosis is a topic often left out of the doctor's office, but it is a reality for millions. Host Talaya Dendy sits down with Anna Leonarda, a 9-year breast cancer survivor (as of (6/2022), to discuss the physical and emotional hurdles of intimacy after treatment.Anna shares her personal path through painful intercourse for most of her adult life, and how the side effects of cancer treatment made it worse. After her divorce, she faced the daunting task of re-entering the dating world while managing these limitations. Her discovery that she wasn't alone led her to create a space that removes sexual expectations from dating.In this episode, you’ll learn about: managing side effects, the scale of the issue, redefining dating, and more. ✨Episode Highlights:1. Entwine is a free dating app for those who may not be able to, or prefer not to, fully engage in intercourse.2. Vaginismus causes a woman’s pelvic floor muscles to contract at the attempt of vaginal penetration, making the vagina narrower and tighter. Learn more. https://www.issm.info/sexual-health-qa/what-is-vaginismus3. There are 30 million men in the U.S. who have erectile dysfunction. 📱Connect with Anna and the Entwine dating app at:www.EntwineDating.comhttps://www.instagram.com/entwine_dating/https://www.facebook.com/entwinedatinghttps://twitter.com/entwinedatingNote: As of January 2026, these platforms may be inactive, but remain a testament to Anna's mission.About Your Host:Talaya Dendy, BCPA, NBC-HWC, is a Cancer Doula, Board-Certified Patient Advocate, and Health & Wellness Coach. After her own Hodgkin's Lymphoma diagnosis in 2011, she dedicated her life to guiding others through the complexities of cancer.Connect & Support:Visit On the Other Side: https://www.ontheotherside.lifeSubscribe to Our Newsletter: https://bit.ly/OTOSNewsletterContribute & Support Survivorship: https://givebutter.com/SurvivorSerieswithTalayaDendy💜If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with others to help us reach more people navigating cancer.Hosted, Produced, Written, and Edited by: Talaya DendyDisclaimer: The information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be used as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation, or care from your physician or other qualified health care provider.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.