Estrogen assistance

geebung

I was dx with grades 2 & 3 multicentric DCIS in early 2007 and had a mx and snb. I think it was 85% estrogen+. No further treatment, no Tamoxifen. I was premenopausal then but now haven't had a period for 6 months and I am so dry down there that intimacy with my husband is not the fun used to be. My gynaecologist told me last week that using Vagifem and Estridol (spelling?) suppositories and cream would not cause more bc and that her associates who specialise in breast cancer agree with her.

I'm have a healthy diet, have lost 10kg in the last 6 months and exercise each day so I feel that I am doing quite a lot to stay healthy. However, none of these healthy habits are helping my problem and I think good quality sexual intimacy is a very important part of quality of life. 

Would like to get a few opinions. Anyone here with E+ DCIS using these estrogen products? If so, were you pleased with the result?

roseg

I am not quite in your situation but when I get there I intend to go with the estrogen cream.

Have you tried non-estrogen longer-acting lubricants like Replens (don't know the trade name down under). In the US they can be purchased over the counter and are helpful.

geebung

Yes, Rose, I've tried Replens and I didn't notice much difference and found it rather messy. Thanks for replying.

jancie

geebung - I am going through the same thing - painful intercourse.  My oncologist did prescribe me some vagifem to use.  He said the tamoxifen would counteract any problems with the estrogen situation as I am ER/PR positive.  To be honest, I have used the product and then kept forgetting so I need to start over but I am scared to have intercourse with my dh because of the pain.  TMI - I used the product for 4 days and then tried a vibrator to see if the pain was still there and it was so I kind of gave up until I was mentally ready to try again.  The vibrator i was using wasn't even as girthy as my dh so if the vibrator hurt I knew darn sure that my dh would hurt me.

Suzie5270

Hi,

 I am brand new to this site and to blogging in general. So, forgive me if I am not in the right venue.

 I am 7 years out from stage one Estrogen receptive BC. I had a lumpectomy then chemo and radiation. I did a 5 year regimen of Arimidex. I have pretty much been a happy person but during the course of treatment I got depressed,  was anxious, had awful joint and muscle pain so I quit exercising and got fat, had 20 -40 hot flashes per day and of course night sweats that even with occassional sleeping pills got me up 3 to 5 times per night. I tried many antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications to no avail. And intercourse/sex.....forget it. It was out due to painful bleeding during intercourse as a result of treatment, i.e., no estrogenand equals the sahara desert of vaginias plus zero libido. And to top it off my oncologist would not allow any topical estrogen at all.

As a licensed psychotherapist I was familiar with mental problems. Yet when I tried to diagnosis my mood problem I did not met criteria for any of the DSM-IV mood disorders. I was miserable and so I sought help with my PCP and finally a psychistrist. They both felt it was most likely a result of low/no estrogen. So I returned to my oncologist and asked, " If I take estrogen will I sleep, not be depressed/anxious and regain my libido?" He said, "Most likely, but I will not be the one to prescribe it for you." So, I found a doc who would. I have been taking it 4 mos and feel fabulous. However, now that I am back in my 62 year old right mind I am scared and know I will have to stop the estrogen and go back to, (maybe, most likely, but hope not), my previous miserable state of being.

 Anyone who can help in this matter with their ideas and stories would be greatly appreciated. This is where I think I am blogging incorrectly by changing the subject to my struggles. If that is the case I apologize and would take direction to avoid repeating my error.

Thanks and good luck to all,

Suzie

geebung

Hi jancie - yep - that's me too - I tend to be forgetful when using any sort of supplement or medication. However, with this, I think I will be highly motivated to avoid more pain and to experience some pleasure again. Got the Vagifem vaginal tablets and the cream yesterday and will start using it in the next few days (had a D&D last Friday and have been told not to have sex or insert anything for a week). Gyno told me I had vaginal atrophy - what a horrible term! Only a year ago, sex was great because I had much higher estrogen levels. I miss estrogen! Why does it have to give us cancer?! It's not fair! It makes us feel young and sexy yet it has the nasty habit of feeding bc cells!  Oh well, I don't have bc at the moment (as far as I know!) so here's hoping that this will work and won't cause any problems.

geebung

Suzie - we posted at the same time. Oh what a dilemma you are in and I can really relate. I could scream with frustration for you and all of us who are in a similar situation. Talk about a bittersweet pill. You feel wonderful on estrogen but at the same time are fearful of the consequences. I can't offer any advice or wise thoughts. I know that HRT is risky but what about quality of life? Could you perhaps take it for short periods of time and then, gritting your teeth, have a break from it? And, of course, keep up with your regular checkups. Hugs, Jane

Suzie5270

Thanks Jane,

 I didn't realize I was so emotional about this today, but when I read your reply I cried. Thank you for your ideas. They help. Doc says I can do this for a max of 6 mos and then must stop in order to avoid another 15% added risk of recurrance, making my overall risk of recurrance 30% , whatever that means....LOL

 For now, I will sleep well, play well, and be happy. How sweet it is.

Hugs back, Suzie