The solution to painful intercourse!!!!!! Yipeee!

My MO also said absolutely not on any kind of estrogen cream.

3jaysmom...please, please, keep us updated. I've been experiencing painful intercourse for years. To the point that we quit trying. Penetration was impossible. This was way before BC, but after menopause. It has nothing to do with lubrication ( I know how to fix that ) or arousal. Pap smears were always very painful for me, even when I was much younger. In fact, and this is embarrassing, but I haven't had a Pap smear since 99 for exactly that reason.



I've talked to my pcp, but she seemed embarrassed and brushed me off. I have a new pcp now who is easy to talk to, and suggested a ob-gyn, but I'm waiting for insurance to kick in. I know there has to be a way to fix this.



Blessings

Paula

I was sent to a physical therapist. I can do a legal, but I can't relax afterward. So she's being working with me so I can relax and I let penetration occur.

I used scream cream without the lidocaine. It did not work for me. :-(

I have started using the "vaginismus kit" from http://www.vaginismus.com/products/vaginismus_kit_dvd

I will report on how/if it works for me!

Dance, who knew flossing was THAT important?@? LOL

Dancetrance, thanks for the link, good info.

That link explains exactly what my physical therapist does, down to the tennis ball. I am working with a doctor to get my skin and tissue ready for the scream cream. My doc told me that I would be SCREAMING from the scream cream if I didn't get some type of hormones in my tissue. DHEA is used for strengthening the vaginal walls.

If you are ER/pr+ , then you can't use estrogen. I have testosterone and dhea.

I got the ok for estrace 2x a week when the MO switched me from femara to tamoxifen. It made a huge difference. I tried Scream cream & it didn't really help.

Okay. I may or may not have posted here before but I have read every post and want to add my experience(s). I am 52, 7 years post treatment, er+ & pr+. Went into chemopause then menopause. I tried every suggestion here except for the scream cream and nothing worked for the vaginal atrophy, pain and bleeding. My GP prescribed Estrace cream and I have to say even the smallest amount has helped. I no longer have any pain and have NO bleeding. I can actually enjoy sex once again and want to, I no longer avoid it. I will take the chance of what little estrogen (as he stated) is absorbed to have a better quality of life. This is my choice. I cannot believe how my life and sexual desire has taken a 180 degree turn since using the cream.

Hi 3jaysmom!

Well, my GP not my gyne or onc prescribed the estrace cream for me. I want to be clear on that. I don't have an onc since the 4 I've had over the years have left the 'system' (gone to other states, etc.). I am at odd with my gyne and have mentioned the issues I'm having and she recommended pure vit. E oil which did nothing at all.

I approached my GP about my "lack of desire and dryness and atrophy" and I asked about estring and he came back with trying the estrace cream. (he also gave me cialis for my "boyfriend" but I didn't have one at that time).

I didn't know how much to use so I asked at the pharmacy and they said "use as directed" but I wasn't directed! lol. I read the directions and it stated to use (if I recall correctly) a certainamount every day for a week then every other day or every few days and then to take a week off after so many weeks.

I found that this stuff worked right away! (for me) I used 2gm. the Max is 4 gm, the min. 1 gm.

Immediately (within a week I had sex) I noticed a difference. No pain, no bleeding. It was a 180 degree turn from what I was experiencing before using it. I actually LIKE and WANT sex again for the first time since chemo put me into chemopause, then menopause. I use it about 3x/week but don't exactly keep track since I travel often. I have a new partner and we maybe get together once a week. I try to use it the night before I see him and maybe the night after.

I still have hot flashes so I know the estrogen I get from estrace is not enough to erradicate menopause issues.

I know that many here will not use estrace. It is my choice for my QOL. I have no husband (trying to date!)  and want to try to enjoy my sexuality again as I feel I lost it with my BC dx and tx. I don't use it daily and feel that the (current) 3x/week (average) that I do use it is enough for me. It is so wonderful to actually WANT to have sex again and know that it won't be painful. I was avoiding it and no longer do. I have found also that my sexuality/sexual response has improved.

Again, this has been my experience for what is is worth.

Hi all. Originally, my GP suggested Scream Cream for orgasm, to be blunt. Like Viagra for us. Applied to clitoris 10 mins before fun.

For me, it also helps internally. But only when I'm patient and let it soak in.
(edited for tmi. )


Still, estrogen internally makes the most sense to me. I just never picked it up.

:@)

anyone know about using oils for lubricant? like baby oil, or olive oil, even coconut oil? I have heard these are fabulous and so much better that over the counter stuff, but I have always heard not to use anything on the vajayjay that is not water soluble for risk of infection and not good for natural flora, but if we don't have any natural flora then what are we messing with? lol!! I read on another board that BC survivors are using oils, but I am hesitant...no worries about destroying a condom...HAHA

I finally found a pharmacy that could fill my Scream Cream prescription, and I tried it for the first time today.  Wow!  This stuff really works!!  I want to give you a complete report, so I apologize in advance if this is too much information.

Just to clarify, I could still climax without the Scream Cream, but it would take a very long time.  The Scream Cream makes it fast and intense.  (Who doesn't like that?)