Vagifem for low estregen levels

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Sandals
Sandals Member Posts: 104
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi,

I'm 36 years old and have finished chemo almost 5 weeks ago.  I still have no desire to have sex with my husband and have spoken with my Oncologist about it.  He has prescriped Vagifem.  I've been reading up on it a little and eventhough I'm TN, I'm worried it may cause cancer somewhere else in my body that is not TN.

He has prescribed it for two weeks, every day and then twice a week for 2 months.

Am I over reacting?  Is there any other way to increase estregen without taking these?  Its having a huge impact on my life not having an sexual intercourse with my newly married husband!!

Thanks a mil,

Paulsigrl

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  • MsBliss
    MsBliss Member Posts: 536
    edited October 2009

    Is the product derived from bioidentical sources or from horse estradiol?  What is the biology of this product?  You need to find this out.  I am learning that doctors get most of their post grad education from big pharma sponsored seminars and reps.  I no longer blindly trust many of these recommendations anymore.

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  • chumfry
    chumfry Member Posts: 642
    edited October 2009

    Well, I've been using Vagifem for several years and it really helps with the dryness, etc. When I talked about it with my onc, we decided in favor of it simply for quality of life issues. It's a pretty tiny dose and it's applied locally--meaning that it doesn't travel through your body.

    Everyone needs to make their own decisions on these things. Do you still have your ovaries? If so, you may only need the Vagifem temporarily. Another factor is that your lack of desire may be more to do with the traumatic experience (cancer and its treatment) that you just went through and less to do with estrogen.

    Give it some time and buy some nice lubricant. I highly recommend some stuff I bought at drugstore.com called Liquid Silk. Feels very natural and doesn't get sticky. At the risk of being too graphic, you might also try masturbation. It kind of wakes things up, so to speak. :D

    Hang in there. You've been through a lot and it will take time to heal, both physically and emotionally. I went to counseling for a while after treatment ended and it really helped me process my grief. I can promise you that it does get better, but it won't happen overnight.

    Be patient with yourself.

    --CindyMN 

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  • Shirlann
    Shirlann Member Posts: 3,302
    edited October 2009

    I have been using Vagifem, my ob/gyn told me it is the only med recommended for breast cancer patients for vaginal dryness, except, of course things like Replens.

    Hard decision, but we have to go on living.  And with husbands, they do like sex.  What a dillemma.

    Gentle hugs, Shirlann

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