A personal question ladies....

[SarahMacey]

Hi ladies, a bit of a personal question! But has anyone has issues when returning to intimate relations and finding discomfort/pain/stinging? with any form of sexual contact? Only Ive been experiencing this through chemo and now having finished that in May, the problem is still there? Im even aware of an altered sensation when i wee! I spoke to the oncologist and he said its friction that can occur, with lost lubrication. But ive tried the water gels non hormonal, and no difference? The problem i now have is getting nervous about any intimate relations cause of the worry of it hurting, and the impact on my relationship with my hubby 😞😩 ... thanks X

[Maz1965]

Hi SarahMacey

I experienced the exact same issue ... i am now nearly 4 years post chemo and still the same. Was told but Breast Canccer nurse that this is due to body going into an early and quick menopause. I am single, my partner left on diagnosis, and really struggle with the thought of forming a new relationship.

Am sure you have a loving husband and if you explain to him about this then you will be able to work through it. look after yoyrself x

[SarahMacey in reply to Maz1965]

Hi Maz, so sorry to hear your story, that’s such a shame and I totally understand your fear. I’m hesitant about intamacy with my hubby and as you say he is really supportive but it’s such a delicate subject and a major part of ones relationship. So very difficult.... I will carry on my research and if I find a solution will let you know. Warmest wishes and thanks X

[Jowigs]

Hi Sarah. Yes, I have experienced all of the above and also tried various creams/gels. I saw the doctor who prescribed me a topical cream but that didn’t work either. If you find something that works please let me know! It’s seems very unfair that on top of everything else we face this also but I don’t think we have many other options. All the best. X

[SarahMacey in reply to Jowigs]

Hi! Thank you replying. I’ve just come off the phone to the breast cancer nurse and she advised it may be the after effects of chemo, with my body still needing to rid itself of the meds or it could be due to Letrozole the anti oestrogen hormone tablet I’m on that can cause this side effect. She’s advised visit my Gp as he may prescribe a hormone gel/cream but to be cautious as it contains small amounts of oestrogen, that they’re trying to suppress, cause I’m HER2 positive! She’s said it’s weighing up the pros and cons for quality or life against risk! 😩😩😞 so now I’m faced with a dilemma! Really is unfair as you say.... XX

[biddenden_sue]

Yes same here. Now 4 years after treatment. I'm on anastrozole. Can't have sex. Too painful. Nothing works. Had to have a smear test last month. It was excruciatingly painful. The nurse said I should see my GP before I have another one to see if they could use a gel with local anaesthetic. I just have to accept that sexis a thing of the past!

[SarahMacey in reply to biddenden_sue]

😟 oh that’s so sad, and not good news for you 😞 on top of all you’ve obviously been through. If I find a solution I’ll let you know but thank you replying to my post. I shall be ever hopeful! X

[Nanniegill]

Hi. I also am having problems. I was putting it down to a bad dose of thrush l had at Christmas which was before l had my lumpectomy, radiotherapy and started letrozole. Have seen my GP and she thinks it's the glands on the labia not proving moisture. Internally there doesn't seem to be an issue. She has prescribed a lubricant, Carnot remember the name, which l collect tomorrow.

[SarahMacey in reply to Nanniegill]

Oh bless you, and thank you replying. I was really unaware that this was going to be an issue, added to everything else 🤕 I hope all settles for you and will let you know if I too find a solution! Warmest wishes X

[Nanniegill in reply to SarahMacey]

You to. X

[ABC58]

I use “yes” products as I was terrified of using anything with oestrogen in . They make two types of lubricant which do the trick

[SarahMacey in reply to ABC58]

Ah thanks I’ll have a look 😁👍X

[Lainey66]

I have exactly the same problem. I am 2 years post treatment and this really does get me down. It is such a cruel situation after all we have been through. I was hoping it would change and return to normal but it is not looking as though it will. Life has changed so much.

[SarahMacey in reply to Lainey66]

Hi Lainey, so sorry to hear that and yes very sad considering everything else we’ve gone through. I’m now exploring CBD oil. I’ve purchaseed from a UK legitimate company called cbdbrothers.com I’ve bought the tablets to help ease muscle and joint pain and the oil for my lady parts! Whilst they don’t say about use in that area, if you explore international sites America and Canada for example it’s widely used to enhance and promote benefit in that area! So I’m up for it! Have a look at the site and see what you think! 🙏👍😘 warmest wishes X

[Lainey66 in reply to SarahMacey]

I have the CBD oil here. I tried putting it under my tongue as advised but it was so vile that I struggled not to vomit, so it put me off a bit. I may get the capsules now and use the oil elsewhere. Thank you xxxx

[SarahMacey in reply to Lainey66]

Oh great stuff! Definitely persevere with it! It certainly helps my joints and muscle ache and appears promising else where! 😁🙏 I’m going to play around with dosages and go from there! All good though! Hope it helps you too XX

[Kthespeechy]

I 'suffered' for ages, the rapid, transformatory solution has been Vagifem pessaries twice a week. vagifem.com

It has a miniscule amount of oestrogen so undertaken with caution/at on risk but honestly, there's some things that make life so miserable that it's an easy choice!

Hope it might help- a girlfriend didn't get on with it but I feel 'normal again!

Hallelujah!

Best wishes

Kathryn

[SarahMacey in reply to Kthespeechy]

Oh wow! Thank you for getting in touch, that’s really helpful. I shall investigate! And thank you again. All the best X

[Supriya-s in reply to Kthespeechy]

Kathryn, I'm so glad to hear that vagifem worked for you. I've just been prescribed the same by my oncologist here in Denmark following a suggestion by the gynaecologist who saw the sore lady parts on an internal check...that was painful! I'm looking forward to starting them. I'm told they promote the re-growth of the thinned out lining. Fingers crossed!

[SarahMacey]

😮 ooh let’s hope so! I may well visit my gp too as have to book for smear test request, so kill two birds so to speak! Am not looking forward to that one! 😟 thank you all for your replies and support! It’s great to know you’re not alone! XX