Yeast infections?

[Puppy_love]

Just wondering if yeast infections are common with Ibrance. I struggle with vaginal dryness and use suppositories but now I’m thinking because of the itching it may be a yeast infection. Of course it’s on my week off when I get more issues than when I’m taking Ibrance

[TeddyChowChow]

Hi Puppy_love,

I'm on Ibrance and have had a bit of dryness, I assumed because of the letrozole and medical menopause. I feel as though it has improved over time though so maybe the body gets used to the hormone changes but I have not had issues with yeast infections. It may be that it is an unrelated yeast infection. If particularly uncomfortable, I might recommend checking if it is one with your GP. I find my immune system and neutrophils are lowest a couple of days after my last Ibrance pill. If your body reacts similarly, it may be that week off is when your body can't fight off an infection. Sorry that isn't amazingly helpful.

Stacy

[PJBinMI]

I was told early on by my woman onc that vaginal dryness was common with the anti-estrogen drugs, like the AIs, Faslodex, and Tamoxifen. So is vaginal atrophy (shrinkage). She referred me to my (woman) gynecologist and said that either a compounded testosterone cream or a gadget called E-string would be okay for me to have. I picked the cream and have been on it since shortly after starting treatment over 16 1/2 years ago for E+ MBC. OF course I don't know what my vagina would be like with out the cream but it is comfortable most of the time. The cream used to be covered by my insurance and now isn't. It has to be specially compounded at a compounding pharmacy. I think I pay about $85 for a 45 day supply. I apply a bit of the cream every morning after my shower, on the "lips" of the vagina. I've more often heard of women using E-string, which is an estrogen containing thing placed in the upper part of the vagina, placed there semi-permanently by the gynecologists. I don't know how this may interface with yeast infections. I have never had one of those, thankfully! The compounding pharmacy also can dispense an Rx cream that helps us achieve orgasms. It contains pitosin, the drug that is used to start labor........

I really do think it helps that I have women doctors! They realize important our vaginal health is, plus I find it easier to talk with them about sexual topics!