Atrophic vaginitis from AI’s and of course post menopausal

Hi Candice -

We're so sorry to hear you're dealing with this unfortunate side effect. We're sure others will be by shortly to weigh in with their experiences and advice. In the meantime, you may find this page helpful from the main Breastcancer.org site on Menopause Symptoms: Vaginal Changes.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

Candice-303 -

Maybe this will be helpful: I attended an event for breast cancer patients and there was a presentation by a woman from A Woman's Touch Sexuality Resource Center that was really helpful. The women who run this place really know what they are talking about. Look it up on the internet. It's in Madison WI. On their website there are a number of brochures that are about sexuality after cancer, vaginal renewal, and lichen sclerosus. If you call them and leave a message they will call you back and answer questions. I followed their advice for my situation and am more comfortable now.

I have been suffering with this for a while but recently saw a sexologist and she recommended; vaginal moisturiser (daily for a week and then every second day), always use lubricant, kegel exercises- half my problem now is anxiety and muscles tensing up during penetration so been seeing physio to work out how to relax again. I have also used logocaine a numbing cream which works wonders but obviously stops feeling. Main thing perseverance. My libido is also pretty shot but my gyn said yesterday actually the more you do it, the more your libido can come back..will see I guess, good luck!

a new product called Intrarosa was recommended for me by 2 different OB/GYNs who will not write any of the estrogen creams for ER+ women. The Intrarosa is not systemic and delivers DHEA to the tissues locally and the tissues convert it to estrogen and use it locally to keep the tissue from atrophying. It's worth asking your OB/GYN if they have been inservicedon the product. If not, ask them to contact the rep for additional info before they reflexively say no.

Me, too - I also had atrophy way before bc, so I have a long way to go before I can get back into the swing of things. I've recently starting using Intrarosa and am having great success with that. I'm also working with dilators and PT. Talk to your team! Start with your oncologist as they must give the go-ahead with any of this stuff after cancer. The "I Want My Mojo Back" thread is very active.

Don't give up. There is hope!

My onc suggested https://www.hyalogyn.com/, and I find that it works better than vagifem did. (My previous onc ok-ed the vagifem, but my current onc is opposed). I also use coconut oil on the days without hyalogyn. (Let the coconut be cool enough to solidify, and insert about a 1/2 tsp)

Check out the mojo board, there are lots of suggestions there!

Another, is hyalogyn over the counter or prescription? It's effective if its better than vagifem.

Thank you Another. I'll check it out.

Thank you Lula73!