Can I be blunt for a moment?
For some reason, it never occurred to me to discuss this with the breast care nurses, and I've never talked about it with friends either. Vaginal dryness is seriously painful, but until now I've just been putting up with it.
So I wanted to share a discovery with any women who like me have had this going through chemo and hormone therapy... it's a brilliant lubricant called 'yes'. And believe me, it's fantastic.
I just looked at the website but couldn't find the ingredients. Most lubricants contain oestrogen, which I can't have. I did go to my gp about vaginal dryness and she prescribed an oestrogen-free lubricant, but it made no difference. Unlike you, I am not prepared to "put up with it", so I haven't had sex for over 2 years, and don't intend to again!
Where do you buy that ... I will be out looking today 👍😄👍😄
Delighted you’ve found something good. I’m still looking but can’t have oestrogen so it’s an ongoing battle. I will talk to my oncologist at my next appointment because it’s a serious problem for me and many women when I can’t have sex or even let me partner near me. Enjoy the relief 😊
Gynaecology appts are as routine as dental in some countries but not here. My BC friend and I laugh about the problems we've experienced, which we believe may be connected to the side effects of hormone therapy - including vaginal atrophy and incontinence, which fortunately I managed to cure through conscientious use of a pelvic toning device. Never put up with vaginal problems. They can ruin your sex life and made you feel really down. There is a cure for everything - don't give up!
Thank you for sharing This, it's something I've suffered with this and do use a lubricant but had not thought to look at the ingredients, so will check this out.!
I've suffered from this for two years now. I'm on Letrozole. Consultant has prescribed oestrogen pessaries and said the tiny, localised amount isn't a problem!
Hi I've been prescribed this by ny doctor and there is no oestrogen in it. Also prescribed an emulsifying wax called thirty which you use when washing. I use it when in the shower. I'm post menopausal and only prescribed it a month ago but found it really helpful. Dr said she would write to oncologist as normally would have prescribed oestrogen cream but am er positive so couldn't have the oestrogen cream. Yes is available on nhs. It is definitely worth a try. Xx
I agree this needs to be a part of treatment, it's soul destroying how much our bodies change and then we lose our sex lives into the bargain. It doesn't help if our oncology teams don't talk to us about it. I've been using Rosaltrof which has helped with discomfort (it was like having serious thrush and cystitis together....) plus a prescribed tea tree based shower product but penetrative sex is agonising so happy to give "yes" a go! I'm only in my 40s and feel like this illness has taken so much. Im her2 and oestrogen positive so like everyone else I need oestrogen free products. My problems started on chemo but have continued with tamoxifen.
Hi. YES is great but you may like to know that my oncologist was very happy for my GP to prescribe oestrogen pessaries (estradiol) to combat vaginal atrophy. It's a very low dose of oestrogen which is safe for women like me with hormone positive tumours. I've been using it for a couple of weeks & it's made a big difference already.
We need to talk about this issue because it's important & little-mentioned. We have enough to deal with without being unnecessarily uncomfortable down below!
Quote of the day.....
Time between surgery & appointment to review
Endometrial hyperplasia-Tamoxifen.
