Sex, or the lack thereof...

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icefishinglady
icefishinglady Member Posts: 56
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I'm sure this is discussed somewhere here, and perhaps someone can guide me to the answers...

I was on estrogen for 8 years after losing my ovaries, which was discontinued as soon as I was diagnosed with breast cancer last February. Now I've been seeing a man for a while and yesterday, we attempted to be intimate. 

 Well, it didn't work. I have not had sex since I was diagnosed, so it's been over 7 months. Apparently in the interim my vagina has shrunk. It was incredibly painful for him to even attempt penetration, despite using lots of lubricant. As he said, "You're just too little" - 

What do I need to do? I suppose even vaginal estrogen is out - has anyone tried the dilators (and do I need a prescription for them, or ??). Should I see my doctor, or is this something that I can deal with myself? 

 HELP!

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  • snowflower
    snowflower Member Posts: 68
    edited September 2012

    Hi Icefishinglady,

    My doctors (ocologist and gyn) have told me it's o.k. to use some estrogen cream and the e-string for vaginal atrophy (from menopause). My DCIS was estrogen positive. I know there are varying opinions on the use of any estrogen but quality of life is important and my doctors agree. The e-string contains the estrogen to the vaginal area for the most part and I use a very small amount of cream once a day on the outside. It works very well and has made a huge improvement in my sex life. I am also using testostrone cream (compounded) and it has restored my interest in sex. The doctor checks the blood level every 6 months and it has stayed at a normal level. I am in a fairly new relationship (1 year) and that's helped a lot too! I'm having a good time which helps the immune system fight disease.

    Snowflower

      

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited September 2012

    ice, I think quite a few of us use vaginal estrogen.  Check with your onc, but mine, my PCP, my integrative doc, and anything I've ever read or heard suggests there's not enough estrogen in those products (i.e. suppositories) to affect anything other than the vaginal area, where they make a world of difference!  I get mine here:  http://www.askdrhelen.com/   I think there's at least one other site where they may be even less expensive.  And just fyi... you can also warm one in your hands and smear a bit on our face to help plump up the dryness there -- a trick I learned from another BCO member.  

    If for any reason you don't want to use vaginal estrogen, my second product of choice for that purpose is Emu Oil.  If you try that, just be sure it's ultra refined, to be sure it's not at all gritty.    Deanna

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  • TAB55
    TAB55 Member Posts: 198
    edited December 2012

    I had good luck with Scream Cream.  You can read about it in this discussion board:

    Topic: The solution to painful intercourse!!!!!! Yipeee!

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited December 2012

    I was told "use it or lose it". My "poor" husband ;-) But regular use seems to be working to keep things working.



    I assume if you don't have a man around, regular use of dilators or a vibrator would work equally well. Personally, I'd prefer a realistic looking substitute to medical dilators, but I also know I would be far too embarassed to buy one in person. That's where online shopping would probably be useful...



    Jenn

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