NOT on hormonal therapy but wondering about Vagifem?

kayfry

I was Dx with DCIS last December (2014) at age 64, had successful Lx in January and rads in March. Since my pathology was ER and PR- negative, I was not prescribed any hormonal therapy. I am way post-menopausal and in good health, but I do have vaginal atrophy as a result of menopause. A recent gyn exam (my first for awhile) was a big reminder of the problem, which seemed much worse than I had thought. Sex with my husband is pretty much not an option because of pain. I'm considering using Vagifem, which was prescribed for me by a different gyn back when I was going through menopause. I've been reading that the dosage of Vagifem is lower now than it used to be (10 mg instead of 25), and that both it and the Estring are considered by many oncologists and breast surgeons to be reasonably safe for breast cancer survivors when the vaginal dryness and atrophy are impacting quality of life. Apparently very little estrogen gets into the bloodstream with these two delivery methods. I'm not scheduled to see my BS for follow-up until July, or my RO nurse until November, so haven't asked as of yet.

Since I had pure DCIS (stage 0), and since I was ER-, I'm thinking it might be pretty safe for me to use Vagifem again. I'm wondering if anyone has looked into this, or been prescribed low-dose, topical estrogen after early stage BC?

Ginger48

hi kayfry- my onc prescribed vagifem for me. He feels it does not cross into the bloodstream and is safe for me. He is at Mass General in Boston and I trust his judgment. It has helped with dryness.

kayfry

Ginger48, thanks for responding. I would trust your one's judgment, too Since I'm not under the care of a medical onc (since I'm not on hormonal therapy or chemo), I don't really know who to ask about this (even though my team is at Johns Hopkins, and I trust their judgment, too). I'm feeling pretty comfortable with starting back on Vagifem, and maybe will ask my local gyn or PCP. Helps to have that confirmation, knowing that your doc feels it's safe for you.

Ginger48

good luck!

rgiuff

Kayfry, this is definitely something to ask your GYN for. They write prescriptions for this stuff all the time. My oncologist agreed that it was important to use vaginal estrogen to help with sex life and to avoid UTIs, which occur much more easily with the thinned out, irritated, shriveled up tissue. I've used these type of products for the past few years and they do make a positive difference, and can help to bring back some of the arousal and pleasant sensations, as well as decrease the pain.

inks

My ONC said it would be OK to use a little estrogen containing vaginal creams even tho I'm ER+ if the need arises.

kayfry

Thanks for the reassuring responses, everyone. I have gotten a prescription for Vagifem and started using it. I feel pretty comfortable with the safety issue at this point, though of course will be discussing with my BS when I see him for follow-up. When my gyn prescribed this for me some years ago (may 8-10 years?), it was the higher-dose version which is now not used at all in this country, so I feel the very low dose is even safer.

wintersocks

rgiuff,

I got prescribed Vagifem. I am 100 er, so despite reassurances I don't want to use it. This is my fourth UTI this year. Do you know why we get them? I have been back to my GP and she wants me to see a urologist now. Oops! now, now I remember my gynae mentioning it might help with UTI's

I think I should have told her I am not using it.

rgiuff

Wintersocks, here is a good article that explains what menopause does to the vaginal area. 

/www.thedoctorwillseeyounow.com/content/womens_health/art4093.html

Member_of_the_Club

I was highly er+ and began using vagifem precisely because of the UTIs. My onc felt very comfortable with it and I ultimately decided that the constant round of UTIs and antibiotics was not healthy.