Tamoxifen causing cracks in labia.. ouch!

Cultures of the vagina/vulva area looking for common and unusual bacteria, viruses, and yeast may be wise given the non-resolution with Diflucan for presumed yeast in the setting of chronic low estrogen.



Of course, topical estrogen is what the body is crying out for, and when the skin thins and fissures occur and bleed and are open to allow superinfection with bacteria, perhaps a short low dose course is best discussed with your gynecologist. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen receptors so that imo is a tad different from other hormonals and estrogen use.



One idea, just an idea, you may try prior to the real estrogen, are phytoestrogens as in soy. When I first started here I wrote a post about Crisco, wondering if because it is a phytoestrogen, and not much if any gets absorbed systemically (unlike the topical or internal estrogen creams, rings, inserts, which result in low dose absorption), so questioned would it be a way to help keep the vulva vagina anal tissue moist and fissureless. I just don't know.



No studies done on the latter. Studies have been done using real estrogen, and shortest time period, in lowest dose if necessary is mostly advised.



Good luck,

Tender

wow -- Im glad I came across this thread !!!  I have been having this same issue since late March -- 2008 ...  I have been on Tamoxifen since late July 2007.  after calling my primary doc - he indicated to use hydrocortisone 1% at morn and nite - for only 4 days - of course this would heal this.................   what I experience are little - 'paper cuts ' ( as in a red line, not a true open wound "cut" but a PAPER CUT look)  --- ouch  --- and these occur at the top of me on the labia near the clitoris area ---  OUCH  again -- and yes I have to say its more noticeable after sex ------- doesn't hurt during but the aftermath its noticeable for a few days -----

But after having to use hydrocortisone after a few more occassions - I figured this isn't good in this delicate tissue area --- so called the ONCLOGIST to see if he would ' OK ' me getting a prescription from the primary doc (he said he would prescribe the following to me BUT I would need the onclogist's OK )  for  ESTRACE  -- topical estrogen cream......  been using a small amt of that like sushanna indicated -- I'm not sure if that has been relieving those  little  paper cuts -- as TENDER indicate as  ' FISSURES "  yes that is a better term !!!!  so at times I use the hydrocortisone to initially speed the healing of it BUT I also find the following product very helpful in keeping the area moist etc -  I got it from those typical vitamin stores  its called --- gosh what a simple name >>>  Personal Moisturizer with aloe and vitamin E  --- the maker of this is  EMERITA  if you pull up the website for EMERITA thay make other products as well ...hey  noticed on the bottle that this is a woman-owned company !!!  anyways the bottle read as follows: vaginal use as needed - water-based - unscented- flavorless and non-staining -- aloe Vera gel - Calendula Vit E and Ginseng creat a superior moisturizer that helps restore balance and comfort .................  I typically make sure I put some on esp b4 exercising  etc --  love the feel of it and it helps alot --- but also doesn't heal the fissure - just keeps the area silky wet and moisturized .............   but at time I do place a small dab of estrace in that area - to help restore some of that estrogen lost .....................     as TENDER mentioned  I have read on the  ' CRISCO " thread and haven't yet tried that -- but had tried the aquaphor that I still have since rads --- and I don't lik ethat greasy aftermath effect ---  I'll give crisco a try at bedtime ......

Hugs to all of u ----

Dx 11/20/2006, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 1, 1/21 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2-

Well I guess I didn't think this was related to my treatment and thought I was hurting myself when I was bathing and wiping. Go figure. ...another fun benefit!

Shortly after I started on Tamoxifen I experienced a horrible yeast infection which is unusual for me. Pretty much all yeast infections I've had in the past were directly related to antibiotic use, so I didn't recognize for what it was until I was quite miserable-itchiness gave way to scratchy, burning, inflamed cracked, vulva, etc.

I treat all yeast infections with a medicated tampon-smear coconut oil on the tip of a tampon and shake a couple drops of tea tree oil onto it (the coconut oil keeps the tampon from absorbing the tea tree oil). Relief is pretty fast-I use this method, changing the tampon every 6 hours or so for the first 24 hours then just inserting a medicated tampon at night for the next few days. You can also mix coconut oil and tea tree oil to apply externally to help relieve itching/burning but do not apply straight undiluted tea tree oil-it will sting too much. Diluted tea tree oil feels like a mentholated product-that kind of hot/cold sensation. I can't use Diflucan (makes me violently ill w vomiting and headache) and I hate the messiness of Monostat (and it doesn't really work well for me) so have used the tea tree oil several times in the past with a good response. Anyway, this yeast infeaction cleared up, but came back again about 10 days later, so I thought something is really out of balance (because having it come back isn't usual) and looked for more things I could do to prevent this since it looked like it could be an ongoing problem for me with Tamoxifen use.

I treated again with the tea tree oil and kept using plain coconut oil both internally and externally daily which has also helped with sexual matters, cracking of the labia, etc. Coconut oil, unlike something like Crisco, has anti-bacterial properties. I upped my probiotic use, switched to all cotton panties, blow dry my pubic area after showering (honest, I think it helps, yeast love trapped moisture), go commando whenever I can (at home with cotton jogging pants/shorts Joe Boxer flannel pajama bottoms, sans undies). Air flow is important. These things seem to be working for me, knock on wood.

Actually, underwear in general has not been my friend since being diagnosed with BC-bras don't fit right since I had the lumpectomy. I never would have thought I'd start going braless and commando at age 52! LOL.

I'm not on tamoxifen, I'm on Al but I have the same problem. It's caused by the lack of estrogen. I met with a gyn last week and she recommended regular moisturisers such as Replens or natural alternatives: coconut oil (as previously mentioned), olive oil and vit e.

I had terrible pain during intercourse caused by atrophy, for that I do regular kegel exercises, lubricants (silks) and an aesthetic cream called lidocaine, which numbs the area down there, so no pain. You can get it over the counter, no prescription required. The latter works wonders, in a recent trial it reduced pain by 90%.

Hi All,

I've just been diagnosed with the paper-cut-type fissures after being on tamoxifen for 6 months. My gyn took biopsies and she doesn't know what it is. Have to wait 10 days. I would so appreciate any reassurance that those of you who are suffering with this have found relief. I just can't see my way out of this.

Thank you.

Janey

Thank you, floaton. Maybe it is a yeast infection. You've given me hope that it is. That would make staying on the tamoxifen easier. I just can't sleep thinking about it.

It does make sense that we might be more prone to yeast infections while taking Tamoxifen. Lots of women develop yeast infections when their hormones are in flux, like when they start taking birth control pills or during the first month of pregnancy. Tamoxifen definitely messes with our hormones.

I started taking it again this week after a month off for a variety of things. Now I've got a big zit on my cheek (not normal at 53). I also broke out the first time I started taking Tamoxifen. Dang screwed up hormones! Hoping I don't get a repeat of the yeast infection too.

I remember a really bad yeast infection for the first few months after starting tamoxifen. I stopped using soap down there and bought feminine hygiene gentle cleaners and the problem cleared up. I also had those painful fissures. I washed with that gentle soap for a while and my body must have gotten acclimated or whatever because it all went away and now I'm back to regular soap and haven't had any issues. Sex is still painful but I chalk that up to going through menopause while on tamoxifen. I am going to look into that lidocaine mentioned above tho and may have to invest in some lubricants

I am going through what most of you are. I was diagnosed with breast cancer, January, 2014. I am frustrated and miserable. It seems as if I have been having membrane thinning vaginally, and also in the anus area. The little tears are painful. The itching on labia and clitoris does not feel good.

I have been taking tamoxifen for about 3 months and was on femara and anastrazole prior to tamoxifen which crippled me completely. I recently was diagnosed with a bladder infection, now a UTI. No intimacy for 2 years. Diagnosed HER2+++ stage 2. Had a lumpectomy on left with lymph node removal, radiation and chemo and then herceptin which caused a heart problem and osteoporosis.

After all of this, I am tired and want to stop all medication because my life is non existent and as strong as I wanted to be and have been..I am now exhausted and emotionally very weak. Just writing about my feelings make me sad.

? Tsidi, you mentioned Herceptin caused osteoporosis? I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and they put me on tamoxifen. I've been on it 28 days, and I can't stand it. Between the hot flashes, and the intestinal pains, I'm just about ready to give up. It has been 13 months from hell since first being told of my diagnosis. I was only given information in bits and pieces and only just recently learned how high my Oncotype test results are!! I swear these doctors don't tell you the horror of the side effects, because most of us probably wouldn't even start with these horrific meds and treatments. Sorry just being honest. I feel like my life ended 13 months ago, and I certainly haven't gotten it back. I live in fear and horror of this of dreaded disease.

I feel like it's true punishment having received this diagnosis, and I truly envy those that escape life without it. I have not ever been a jealous person, but I'm certainly jealous of those that don't suffer with cancer. It's the disease that keeps taking and taking and taking....

Hi Knitting9,

Welcome to the BCO community.

It's great to hear that you found this simple but effective solution so helpful.

We're sure many more members have the same problem so thank you for posting your advice on this issue here for others to try.

Warm wishes,

The Mods.

Hi Jesushealedme and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We're so sorry you're here and dealing with this terrible side effect of treatment. What an awful experience you're having!

While you wait for some advice from our other very supportive members here, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's section on Treatments for Vaginal Dryness and Irritation. There may be some things there you can try!

We hope this helps and that you find relief soon. We look forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods