I WANT MY MOJO BACK!

I tried replens and still use it- but I also suffered from some vaginal atrophy-did alot of pelvic floor therapy and try to stay on top of it... I just use replens to keep myself lubricated, but I did not find it enough lubrication for intercourse. I think it is a good place to start- see how you do.

good luck

Georgia1

I think I'm going to be in the same situation as you, same % er+. As I understand it, the Tamoxifen blocks the receptors then using the hormone cream wouldn't even work anyways? I wonder if there is a way to test how much hormone from the cream is getting into the body and whether it's going systemic? Today was my first meeting with the MO and she didn't say anything to me about stopping the Estrace. If there's no evidence topical estrogen increases the risk then I wonder if the doctors are going over board with restricting topicals? I'm new to this stuff, only thinking about it since my app't today.

Georgia1, I like that your doctor admits to not knowing if estrogen is good or bad. That's right, they don't. Why do testing on something so cheap where making big bucks is not an option. My problem with Replens is that it contains glycerin. That encourages yeast for me. Some people can use it and not have a problem with yeast. I need to have something with an acid once in a while to balance pH.

The idea of topical estrogen "once in a while" is not going to work. When I was first dx with vaginal atrophy, I used Vagifem for four months before noticing a change. It needs to be used consistently over time to work.

My new gyn had a few suggestions. Something called Wet Platinum Premium Lube which she says she also uses on her skin. I haven't looked it up yet. I make a distinction between moisturizers and lubricants. I want moisturizers. I'll check it out, though. She also gave me info on RepHresh Pro-B Probiotic capsules. I've heard of these before. I don't usually like oral supplements because my stomach reacts badly to everything. I will check these out, too. I take oral probiotics for my GI system so why not. The info she gave me on RepHresh showed $27.99 for 30 capsules. No price info on the lube.

Yes, very funny and useful article

I use the Wet Platinum for lube, not sticky, doesn’t dry up. Too much can make it too slick. Luckily my gyn and MO are on the same page so I use Estrace cream a couple of times a week. I do not know if I could be having sex without pain without it. I was 98% ER+. And I moisturize daily with coconut oil. But I want to continue a fairly active sex life for many more years

Has anyone tried Hyalo Gyn? My MO suggested it when I told her I was somewhat uncomfortable during sex. She said she would prescribe Vagifem as well but I told her I’d like to try other things first so she suggested Hyalo Gyn. It’s a bit pricey at $25 for a 30 day supply, it would definetly be worth it if it works though.

Thanks AnotherNYCGirl:)

What's in the probiotic, Stephanie? What is the product called? OTC or prescription? You could ask the mods to add it to the list at the top.

my probiotic is called gynophilus but it's a french product and it's not available here. according to the manufacturer, it combines probiotics naturally present in the vagina (Lactobacillus casei and rhamnosus) and prebiotics. it comes in gel caps that you insert directly into the vagina.

a more healthful vaginal ecosystem means more moisture and fewer UTIs.

i am sorry i am recommending a product that is not available in this country, but i am sure there are equivalents. maybe ask your ob/gyns? here is some research on the vaginal microbiota:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC26623...

Amazon is out of stock. eBay has a 2 pack (2 suppositories) for $39.99. Yikes.

I suspect you could use almost any good probiotic as a suppository? Thats what I started doing with buying supplements of coconut oil/vitamin e and using as suppositories. Huge cost savings. I think you could do the same with a probiotic (and if you used it with the vitamin e or coconut oiI would think it would get good coverage? I can't tell from the ingredients that there is anything special about the suppository version.

Thanks for the information about probiotics, Jaycee and Stephanie. I just had to use an antibiotic for bacterial vaginosis and was wondering if I should use probiotics next. That journal article was very helpful. It says probiotics augment the antibiotic treatment. The bottom line seems to be that restoring lactobacilli, in particular L. Rhamnosus and L reuteri, is important. Both oral and vaginal administration probably work. Also lowering pH is important. My gynecologist told me to use RepHresh after sex. The box for the one I bought says the gel maintains healthy pH, but it is full of parabens which I dont want. I wonder if there is a “home remedy” to use instead. I see that same company sells a RepHresh probiotic supplement that Jaycee mentions. The depletion of lactobacilli and the elevation of pH happens more after menopause and contributes to VB. Gee, do ya think cancer treatment plays a role here? I need to clarify with my gyn and also do some shopping at the health food store.

Just started Hyalogyn last week, so far it has been helpful. I would only consider myself mildly uncomfortable before I started using it though. No infections or anything like that just slightly dryer than before BC treatments.

I have also just started using hyalagyn, thanks to the recommendation in this thread. It’s definately helping with moisture already. I also had 4 Mona Lisa treatments. Here is the kicker. After three treatments I was doing great, and on Xeloda. I switched treatments to Afinitor and Faslodex and it starts hurting again. So I go back to my gyn for a touch up treatment, which she rexommmends yearly anyway, but it didn’t help. It actually kept getting worse. So I think its the meds. During the the time on x i did much better in this arena. Now, not so much. Damned anti hormonals.

Sunset