Pre menopausal & struggling with vaginal problems - Tamoxifen??

Kkat1976

Hi Ladies,

I'm hoping someone can shed some light on what I'm going through. I was diagnosed & treated for my bc in Aug 2009 at age 33. I have been on Tamoxifen therapy since April 2010. My Onc tells me I will be on it for a duration of 10 years. My first problems were very heavy & irregular periods which was sorted by an endometrial ablation in 2011. Over the years sex has become increasingly difficult & painful to the point of it being non existent. My libido is nil!! I struggle with constant discharge & irritation down below. It's making me miserable. I'm now 39 years old.

My recent Pap smear showed low grade changes which then led to a colposcopy. Luckily there was nothing sinister, however it was revealed that I have chronic cervicitis which is inflammation of the cervix. Both my gyno & gp tell me they believe it's from the Tamoxifen as it can change vaginal PH. My Onc says it's not & that Tamoxifen only effects your endometrium. She says I have enough circulating oestrogen to counter side effects & feels my vaginal atrophy & cerviis from something else.Nobody has given me a solution or any assistance in helping me resolve this problem & i'm am over it big time!!!

I was wondering if there are any other pre menopausal women out there who have had similar problems & could shed some light. Help!!

GirlFriday

Hi Kkat1976!  I've been on Tam for almost 5 years.  I'm almost 43.  I've had an increasing issue with vag atrophy on this drug.  My MO and my GYN both say this is directly related to Tam.  I had a fibroid that went from the size of pea to almost 2.5+inches. I've had this removed, and a D&C and this has greatly reduced my monthly bleeding...which was about 21 days, heavy, and awful...to now light and only 4 days.  My GYN is not a fan of Tam in terms of it's a cause of endometrial cancer.  I've also gained 30lbs in the last 5 years...and I've never had a weight problem.  It's absolutely impossible for me to lose weight even running 12 miles per week.  I think this drug has a lot of really powerful side effects with the fine balance of reducing BC recurrence.  My GYN sees a lot of BC survivors and she believes that the inert ingredients of the drug seem to impact women differently, either physically or systemically.  So every 90 days if they change the generic I seem to have a new set of side effects.  One time it's hot flashes and insomnia and weight gain, then the next 90 days its uterine cramping, vag dryness and yeast infection.  I'm heading towards my 5 year tx plan ending, and we're discussing the next 5 years. My MO seems to think that taking Tam another 5 years would be beneficial to me, but my GYN is not encouraging it.  In fact we've started the convo of a possible hystermectomy.  It's all so very confusing and frustrating as there don't seem to be any "real" answers, and every doc seems to have a different opinion.  I just think that taking something that prevents all of the cells that want estrogen from getting estrogen has go to impact my body on a grand scale, much grander than most research as estrogen is just so complex.  I don't believe my vag atrophy will go away until I'm off the drug, and my GYN advised coconut oil to help with the dryness and discomfort.  I don't have much of a libido, and this was definitely not my preBC nature.  I think a second opinion on your issues is always warranted.  Try seeing either a GYN Onc or another Onc in your area.  You are you own best advocate and you know your body better than any doctor ever will. Listen to what it's telling you and find a doctor that will help you rather than dismiss your concerns.

TexJerseyGirl

The only real effective treatments for vaginal atrophy and dryness is estrogen based creams. These have recently been approved for use for ER pos breast cancers. Find an onc who will prescribe them or stop therapy. Or suffer. I always choose quality of life, but it's a very personal decision.