change in libido since undergoing cancer treatment

Facetedjewel

I had a what I considered to be a normal libido and sexual life prior to going through breast cancer treatment.  I was gradually entering menopause and had no real symptoms other then my periods would be heavy and I would skip months.Everything was fine and I think if I did not have bc I would things would have been fine in this area.  

During the treatment my estrogen levels were tested and I had my last period after going six months without one a year and a half ago.  My estrogen levels show that I am postmenopausal.

Everything has changed for me sexually.  My libido is low and intercourse is next to impossible it hurts so much.  I have tried every lubricant out there and it is still so painful that I just can't tolerate it.  

I had too many side effects so I stopped the tamoxifen and am not on any hormonal therapy at the moment.  I try to eat right (that was just disproven) walk do yoga daily, meditate and try to take care of myself.  I am concerned that I would have them on the Arimidex because I ached all over, had terrible leg cramps, depression, headaches, tiredness etc. on tamoxifen.

I wanted the estring, but my oncologist said without protection, i.e. hormonal therapy she is afraid to put me on it.  My gyn would, but she has to defer to the oncologist,

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what you have done about it.  I was wondering about progesterone even though I am ER+ and PR+.  I just don't know what to do and the doctors do not have an answer.  One told me to try lubrin, only sold online, and while it is very lubricating, relations were still painful.  Now the doctor said I could be atrophying because of not being sexually active.

If anyone has any thoughts on this I would greatly appreciate it.  My partner and I have broken up and he was so understanding about this, but I am afraid if I do date again and get into a serious relationship that this might ruin it.    

Julianne

Mantra

My doctor put me on vagifem plus a progesterine cream (his own recipe). The improvement was remarkable. He also said I had vulvodynia and told me to research some of the remedies. You might want to research vulvodynia as well.

Like you, my sex life had gone from being a wonderful experience, to being a painful impossible experience. I hope you're able to find what works for you.

Facetedjewel

Thank you Mantra.  I see that you are er- and pr- and my tumor was over 90% positive for each.  That may make the difference as to why doctors don't want to put me on anything with estrogen or progesterine. I will ask again though.

I will also research vulvodynia as well.

Nan56143

Dear Facetedjewel,

I would highly recommend that you get the book by Dr. John Lee..."What your doctor may (not) tell you about breast cancer". Also here is the link for saliva testing which is much more comprehensive than blood testing for hormone imbalance.  

http://www.hormoneprofile.com/saliva.htm  

Of course your doctors do not have an answer, because they are not knowledgeable in the field of anti-aging/bio-identical hormone balance. They know only to prescribe synthetic HRT, which is proven to cause cancer.That old saying...use it or lose it is exactly what my daughter's GYN said to her, however, our GYN is 100% in favor of BHRT, and is an advocate for women, and is all about empowering women.

There is no reason why you need to suffer this way, none what so ever! My daughter has been on BHRT since last May, and even though she was dx with TNBC (in June of 2007), that makes no difference at all. It is all about "balancing the hormones". Dr. Lee's book does not even speak to TNBC, only ER+ and PR+. Oh, and don't you believe that eating right does not help, as it certainly does. Just keep on the track that you are on and get to a specialist for BHRT!! My daughter had every symptom that you wrote, and now she is feeling like a healthy woman once again. (She thought about joining a convent before BHRT)

edited to add this link

http://www.monacocenter.net/

http://www.bodylogicmd.com/bioidentical-hormone-doctor-locations

one more book to read...and this has to do with your nutritional needs...(he proves the diet theory by beating brain cancer twice..."Anti Cancer a New Way of Life" by David Servan-Schreiber

MBJ

Facetedjewel

Nan is correct--the book by Dr. Lee is just absolutely incredible and will change your life.  I got BC because I went to a Dr. requesting bioidenticals and she gave me HRT--less then a year later I had BC.   Bioidenticals are different and do not cause cancer but balance your hormones naturally.  I couldn't have sex for 6 months without pain during chemo and I can't imagine having a relationship with my husband if I still had these side effects.  I haven't had my cycle return yet and the dryness went away for me, so I consider myself to be lucky.  However, I will go on BHRT to balance things out if I still need it now that I am done with surgery and treatments. 

Best of luck to you--there are amazing alternatives to standardized medicine it just doesn't benefit the pharmaceutical companies. 

rreynolds1

I agree with Nan and MBJ.  Please read this book as it will help to get you on the right path. 

Roseann

rreynolds1

Julianne,

I just saw that you are in Rocky Hill, CT.  PM me if you want to get together.  I can loan you my copy of the book.  I'm all over the state and was in Rocky Hill last Tues.

 Roseann