Has anyone used Replens?

coffeelatte · October 2009

I don't know where to ask this question but my breast surgeon said no more estrogen because my pathology report came back estrogen positive (?). Anyway, I was only using Premarin cream, since my hysterectomy in 2003, but I have not used any since September 15. The breast surgeon's nurse said to try Replens. Has anyone tried it and what was your experience? I bought a box and need to get motivated to do it since I am very depressed.

Thanks.

dlrcpa · October 2009

Hi. I also had a hysterectomy (in 2004) and am now on Arimidex. Replens is a necessity!! I did not use it for a while and my OBGYN said my insides looked pretty dry & raw. I use it once or twice a week. I get the kind w/ reusable applicator since I find I don't really need a full dose as provided in the pre-filled applicator.

Beware of the comparable CVS store brand....I tried that once and got a very weird/unpleasant sensation when using that kind. I was not exactly allergic but if felt sort of comparable to that. So now I just stick to REPLENS. Good luck......

Leah_S · October 2009

I didn't like the Replens (found it hurt a bit at, shall we say, moments where pain was NOT the sensation otf choice) but found KY jelly to be very helpful & natural-feeling.

Leah

coffeelatte · October 2009

Thanks so much for the responses. I am going to give Replens a try because I have had back to back UTIs due to the dryness and atrophy. I did buy the 8 pre-filled applicators, but I plan to use only a bit more than half since reading Donna's comments. I bought this at CVS so I am so glad you mentioned what happened while using the off-brand. I am going to give it a try tonight. Like I said, I feel so depressed about all of this medical issues. I just got over my lumpectomy and now I am dealing with UTIs and feeling 100-years old rather than 52! I am also going through hormone withdrawls from stopping the Premarin cream (I used it about 3x per week) so that is not helping my mood. Thank you so much for the tips, this website has been my life-line since June.

LiniWD · November 2009

I find the combo of Replens a day or so ahead and KY jelly during helps a lot. Like Donne said, use the original, not the CVS store brand.

Lynn from Tampa (trying to keep life with hubby interesting)

sushanna1 · November 2009

I didn't like replens. It seemed to come out in clumps. I have had moderate success with the KY ovules used in combination with vagisil or similar vaginal moisturizer applied externally once or twice a day as a moisturizer. Good luck.

roseg · November 2009

I had the clump problem too. I thought using less than the full applicator helped. The KY Ovule is good also.

You might ask your Oncologist about other estorgen-moisturizers. Some are supposed to emit less estrogen. If you were using a lot of premarin cream you might be able to use less of something else. It can be a quality of life issue!

kayakgirl · December 2009

I find that Replens helps. I put it in at bedtime in bed after I have gone to the bathroom. It doesn't burn. I too tried the CVS brand and the Replens brands works better. The CVS brand is too watery. To help with the burning you may want to take (by mouth) a daily acidophilus probiotic. It helps to restore normal flora in your gut and vaginal tract.

kayakgirl · March 2010

I like Replens, it works well for me, But you can try different brand and you may find one that you like better just be careful was some of the other moisturizers and lubricants. Make sure you read labels. Some have parabans as a preservative in them. Parabans have been banned in Europe because they may be carcinogenic.

kayakgirl · March 2010

I like Replens, it works well for me, But you can try different brand and you may find one that you like better just be careful was some of the other moisturizers and lubricants. Make sure you read labels. Some have parabans as a preservative in them. Parabans have been banned in Europe because they may be carcinogenic.

Leah_S · March 2010

On another thread someone suggested using coconut oil. I tried it and it's very good. I use it every night, and it helps not just for intimacy but also for feeling "normal" the rest of the time. Since I've had these issues for about 5 - 6 years before bc (came with menopause), it was very nice to go back to normal.

Coconut oil is called "oil" but is actually a solid. I take a piece and insert it as I would a vaginal suppository.

Hope that helps.

Leah

chinablue · March 2010

Does it smell strongly of coconut?

Leah_S · March 2010

I didn't notice any odor at all.

Leah

Caya · March 2010

I use coconut oil, I suggested it on another thread. I also use it daily, it is very soothing - I also pop in a Vitamin E capsule (prick open one end with a manicure scissors before inserting) - finding this all helps. I had tried Replens, but I found it to be irritating, rather than helping. It is also very expensive, I wouldn't care if it actually worked, but for me it didn't.

I find the coconut oil can initially smell of coconut, but almost immediately fade. Make sure you get the 100% virgin organic coconut oil - it costs a bit more, but is totally free of anything. A big jar may cost $10 or so, but it can last for months.

I use the coconut oil on my whole body for moisturizing - also have been basically "snorting" it up my nostrils for chronic sinus stuffiness I have every winter. Along with using a netipot this has really helped.

Leah_S · March 2010

Caya, I didn't remember who suggested it, but since it was you I want to thank you. It helped immensely.

Leah

roadybe · July 2010

I have used replens too and it does not wow me either. Will try the coconut oil. Where do you buy it? Vitamin shop?? Intimacy is not what it was before B/C and menopause! The want is there, but not the comfort.

Anonymous · April 2011

Try "OH YES" personal lub. its water base. I am allergic to every over the counter (they caused UT's over and over...tried them all. Oh Yes is water base....It is absolutely the best hands down. I order over the net. Its not sold in the U.S. Stores.

Lezza13 · August 2012

I use Astroglide. I like it much better than Replens. I like it better than KY

dlrcpa · August 2012

Thanks for the suggestion. They actually have free samples (Astroglide) at their web site.

Anonymous · September 2012

Hi coffeelatte, I use Replense and other types of vaginal lubricants, but none of these helped with the vaginal pain during sexual penitration. I learned that the painful sex and thinning vaginal tissues were the result of vaginal atrophy caused by the estrogen blocker meds our oncs prescribe for us. My GYNO told me to take Vagifem to help plump up the vaginal tissues again and restore the suppleness and to also use the replense. What a difference the Vagifem made for me and DH.

Barb

She · September 2012

Do a search on "scream Cream". I think the recipe is on the Stage IV girls thread. Not cheap and I think has to be mixed at a pharmacy but there are definitely women raving about it!

ck55 · September 2012

Barg, a couple of questions about Vagifem. Are you using the 10 or 25 dose? How often do you use it and how long before you noticed an improvement in the comfort area?

I just finished 5 years of Femara and it definitely did a number on that area. Yell My onc. and I decided to switch to Tamoxifen for the next ? years so that I could start usingVagifem and not worry about any absorption into my system as the Tamoxifen would block that.

Are you on any anti hormonals now? I just started with the 10 ug(?) Vagifem a week ago using it 3 times a week and have not noticed a huge difference yet?

Thanks, Cyndi

Blessings2011 · September 2012

Depends on what you are using it for.

If just for lubrication, Replens is o.k.

But dryness and atrophy were causing my fragile tissues to tear and bleed. The OB/GYN said that in some women, their tissues were so thin from lack of estrogen, even just walking would cause microscopic tears and bleeding.

I had been using Premarin cream, but stopped with my BC dx.

Because I am 100% ER+, I asked my oncologist what to do. She said to go ahead and keep using the Premarin cream, in small amounts, just inside the vaginal opening.

She said that the Replens was a good moisturizer for intimate times, but that it would not plump up and prevent tissue tearing like Premarin would...and that Premarin remained in the tissues instead of being systemic like an oral HRT would be.

cinnamonsmiles · November 2012

I was allergic to Replens last year when I tried them.I wasn't surprised because years and years ago I had tried some kind of cream for sex and was allergic to that too. We don't have sex anymore anyway. I have not gotten any sex drive back from the oophorectomy in November 2011, and he has erectile dysfunction. I think there is a thread somehere on here called I want my mojo back and they talk about something called scream cream for sex.

TAB55 · December 2012

cinnamonsmile: I had a very good result with Scream Cream. My RO wrote the prescription after I read about it on this discussion Topic: The solution to painful intercourse!!!!!! Yipeee! It might work for you too.

Has anyone used Replens?

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