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Early menopause and vaginal atrophy after breast cancer- can anyone help?

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amelia_38073
amelia_38073

I was diagnosed and went through treatment for  breast cancer at 44. I have just turned 50 and amongst all kinds of other health issues, am having a very difficult menopause and now what appears to be atrophic vaginitus I had my last period 4 months ago and also stopped seeing my sexual  partner of 5 years at the same time.. . I thad sex with a new partner this week and immediately was in terrible pain,redness, swelling , tearing,  due to dryness. I also got a case of instant cystitus.  So embarrassing for me and i don't think i will be seeing him again. I really don't want this to be the end of my sex life. i have just turned 50 and may live till i'm 90. My GP and the hospital just say there is nothing they can do as they can't offer me HRT. There must be something!!! Where can i go for proper help and what can i do to relieve the sypmptoms and also get properly checked out? I've made an appointment with a GUM clinic as my Gp doesn't even examine me. Please all help will be appreciated.

3 likes, 47 replies

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  • Maggieee
    Maggieee amelia_38073

    Posted

    I found immediate help was an appointment with the practice nurse at the Drs surgery  I used olive oil( from the chemist) which soothed the area & a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in warm water to drink if you have the start of cystitis it will neutralise the acid in the bladder. Don't wait get to the Drs first thing in the morning only the nurse realise's the agony unless you have a female Dr, I had no skin inside my vagina was totally raw olive oil did help but it's not the solution, am now on vagifem 2/3 times a week good luck 

    Margaret 

    • amelia_38073
      amelia_38073 Maggieee

      Posted

      Thanks Margaret!

      I've been using Cystompurin over the week-end and drinking gallons of water to get rid of the cysitius. It seems to be calming down.

      I've made an appointment for the GUM clinic, but it's not for another 2 weeks , so i think in the meantime , i'll call the GP tomorrow and also maybe the breast cancer unit. They must have some answers.

      I hope i'll be allowed to use vagifem, because i've had breast cancer they keep telling me there's nothing they can do, but i refuse to believe this.

      I've just ordered from Yes - water and oil based lubricants and will give them a try too. There must be a way around this. I can't believe that all women get thrown on the scrap heap as soon as they hit menopause? There's so much help for male impotency. BTW how long is it safe to take Vagifem? I just wondered . xx Amelia

  • dancinggran
    dancinggran amelia_38073

    Posted

    Oh Amelia how awful for you. I had tears in my eyes reading your post. I had the same symptons as you (not breast cancer though) and I am on vagifem 2 x week which have eased the symptoms although I still get recurrent uti's. Have you heard of Replens. That is oestrogen free and provides vaginal moisture. It is applied locally 2/3 times per week. Look on the web for forums and see if it is something that might help you. Good luck
    • amelia_38073
      amelia_38073 dancinggran

      Posted

      Thanks Dancinggran!

      I've just sent off for some Yes, i read about it on the forum. I'll try that.

      It really took me by surprise , because i'd been having fairly ok sex with the partner i met after recovering from cancer treatment. I was a bit dry sometimes , but nothing like this.

      It had been a really big deal for me to get back on the horse and sleep with someone new. And then it went so embarrasingly wrong.

      I had no idea about vaginal atrophy, i've just been reading about it since it happened.

      Reallly hope i'm allowed to use this Vagifem. I'll find out next week.

      Thanks again. x

    • jackie73005
      jackie73005 amelia_38073

      Posted

      Amelia I second dancing gran the yes products are great.  I also use Omega 7 for dryness.  I am trying to ease of the hrt creams supplied by gp and having to much research have found premeno duo which is natural.

      Suppose its all trial and error but hang in there.

    • amelia_38073
      amelia_38073 jackie73005

      Posted

      Hi Jackie,

      How do you use the Omega 7 ? Are they pills that you take as supplements? I've just started taking Omega 3 supplements.  Or are you applying directly to skin? And if so how often .

      Tell me more about Premeno Duo - what is  exactly and how do you use it?

      I'm going to call my GP and the Breast Cancer Unit and the Gynae unit today and ask for appoinments . i want a full check up to see what's going on inside me , i want to make sure i haven't had a prolapse or anything else, and also what state i'm in as far as atrophy goes. Then i want to find all the possible ways of treating whatever it is that's happening.

      So keep posting all your information: Name of product, where it comes from, how to use it , does it work etc and i'll keep this post going .

      All women need this information to be readlly available and at the moment it isnt't!

    • jackie73005
      jackie73005 amelia_38073

      Posted

      Hi Amelia

      These forums are great because there is so little information out there and no-one seems to like talking about things.  The omega 7 are a supplement you can research them on the Pharma Nord website and you can read about the premeno if you research that too.  I have researched and researched on products and it seems everything is down to experimenting, what works for some dosnt for others but there are things out there and women like us whom are willing to try and help each other.  There are many reviews on the things i have mentioned so you dont need to just jump in. Good Luck xx

  • dancinggran
    dancinggran amelia_38073

    Posted

    I know how you feel about 'getting back on the horse'. My confidence took a hammering last month when I got a really nasty UTI after sex and it has taken 4 weeks to cure it. No idea why it occured as we are very careful and did all the usual precautions etc. We use 'Yes' and it is very good. I was also in the dark about the after effects of menopause. No-one tells you how bad it can be. Its a good job we have forums like this to help us realise we are not alone. My partner told me I was a freak and 'not normal'. How wrong could he be!!! I now know that there are loads of us ladies suffering in silence but if more spoke out then it wouldn't come as such a shock. Take care and hope you feel better knowing that there is hope and help out there.
    • amelia_38073
      amelia_38073 dancinggran

      Posted

      Hi dancinggran,

      you're definitely not a freak! otherwise there wouldn't be forums like this or so many products and books on the market!

      it just seems to be part of the Menopause and it affects about 20 percent of women - the vaginal atrophy part - according to one set of figures i found . I'm sure it could be more.

      I've started talking to friends my age to find out what's happening with them . Though non of my friends have had breast cancer. 

      The friends that are going through menopause and still have regular sex seem to be fine. I'll keep asking and keep posting.

  • patricia72274
    patricia72274 amelia_38073

    Posted

    Hi amelia,

    I had breast cancer 6 years ago.  After my year of treatment i was on letrozole for5 years.  I call it themake you old quick drug. I have had constant urinary infections, my joints are all stiff  - all the things that are caused by lack oestrogen, but of course i am still here as people tell me.  I am walking with an aid, cannot walk my dog cannot do sex!   Luckily i have an understanding husband.  I am retired so i think your situation is much worse because yiu are still youngam still hereas

  • patricia72274
    patricia72274 amelia_38073

    Posted

    Sorry pressed wrong key.  Anyway i am so sick of this constant discomfoft. Nobody seems to understand. Ihave been referred to a urologist now.  I feel so sorry for you.

    What are we to do?  Thinking og going to see someone at the breast cancer unit too. My gp as askedseveral times if i canhave oestrogen cream.  Oncologist always says no.

    Good luck

    Pat

    • amelia_38073
      amelia_38073 patricia72274

      Posted

      Hi Patricia,

      it doesn't matter how old we are , we are human and still need love.

      I've just turned 50, i was 44 when i was diagnosed with cancer.

      The guy i met after i'd gone through treatment was younger than me and we had an amazing sex life.

      However, i had been put on Tamoxofen and it didn't agree with me , so i came off it and that's why although i was in perimenopause, the actual menopause didn't hit me until this year. It's only now that my periods have stopped and i'm drying up inside. The boyfriend and i split up at the same time.

      It doesn't stop me from wanting a new partner, but obviously i want to be able to make love . So i'm determined not to give up at this first hurdle.

      I just wish all of this info was talked about in society.

      Menopause shouldn't be such a BIG SHOCK. It should be something natural that women talk about and help each other with.

      My mum doesn't talk to me about these things and my aunties are far away. My grandmas are both dead, and they wouldn't have told me anyway. I suppose things were different in the old days.

      I've bought lots of books off Amazon and am trying to read as much as i can too.

      Keep posting! xx

  • patricia72274
    patricia72274 amelia_38073

    Posted

    Thankyou for your prompt reply.  I too am having bicarb to drink.  I try anything!

    Last week my GP gave me an inernal, and said my cervix was OK.  A relief cos sometimes inside me feels on fire.  She just said there was signs of vaginal atrophy and possibly some thrush.  The pessaries did nothing to help the pain.

    I have baths with lavendar oil in - that helps a bit

    We have a Maggie's Centre attached to the hospital in Oxford, and I may try and talk to somebody there.  I think Vagifem is OK and has no oestrogen, but it did not work for me.

    I am finding it very hard having now been discharged from the hospital after 5 years, I seem to be out on my own.  GPs do not seem to understand 'after breast cancer'

    Pat

     

  • r11475
    r11475 amelia_38073

    Posted

    Hi amelia

    I also had oestrogen positive breast cancer 5 yrs ago but had a recurrence 2.5 yrs ago. I have been on letrozole for the last 2 yrs and really suffering with bad atrophy.  I mentioned to to my nurse speciallist who said that the thoughts on not allowing Oe+ BC patients vaginal creams wihich contain oestrogen has changed due to the vey small aounts invoved and where it is used.  They are sending a letter to my GP so he will prescribe me some.  I am also on a steroid cream for possible LS as my bits are meding together and IC is impossible. Luckily my OH is very caring and understanding.

    Good luck with your search for help. 

    • amelia_38073
      amelia_38073 r11475

      Posted

      Hi,

      I went to see my Gp last week and she said there is no sign of any prolapse or obvious atrophy she said the inside just looks very sore , inflamed and dry. My pelvic floor muscles are still strong , so that was re-assuring.

      She prescribed Canesten pessary for 3 nights as she said it may be thrush. This doesn't seem to have done much at all and just stings.

      Still sore, still dry.

      She also prescribed Gynest cream with eastogol. As she said the amounts of oestrogen are so small and it's local , so even though the cancer i had was oestrogen receptive , it shouldn't cause any problems.

      I'm not going to start on the Gynest until i've seen a proper gynocologist and had a proper examination.

      I'm off to see the Mango Clinic a week on monday- which is a sexual health  and menopause clinic for women over 40. The doctor there is pretty good.

      So she will do tests to eliminate  any disease,  thrush, bv etc. and give further advice . My GP is lovely , but i think i need specialist gynae advice and to eliminate all other causes for this discomfort and pain.

      The  gynocolosist at the hospital who keeps an eye on me for cancer check ups is on holiday at the moment , but i've made an appointment and that is in about 5 weeks. So i can eliminate the possiblily of further cancers.

      So after thorough testing and examination, i'll probably start on the Gynest cream. And here's hoping!

      good luck to you too r11475!

      x

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