Tamoxifen And Discharge

Hi Footballnut,

Thanks for posting -- we're sure someone will be by shortly to weigh in with their advice and experience with this unpleasant side effect. In the meantime, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's pages on Vaginal Changes for some tips and information on how to manage this effect.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

I had a ridiculous amount of vaginal discharge while taking Tamoxifen - and for about 2 months after stopping it. It was clear, although sometimes looked yellowish or brownish when dried. It would cause me to feel like I was walking around in wet underpants. There was no odor, though.

After being SO dry from being plunged into menopause by chemo - at first it made for easier (better) sex. Then it got to be a real pain. I can't wear pantiliners every day because my skin gets irritated. I don't like being glued to my underwear, either.

So I quit the Tamoxifen and now get to worry about that choice.

I have been on Tamoxifen sine June 1, 2017. I have had mild and very sporadic hot flashes, but the worst of the side effects are the vaginal discharge, weight gain and a bruised feeling on the bottoms of my feet. Just wondering if anyone else is having the same se's, what they are doing about them (if anything) and whether these are precursors to some more intense side effects.

I have this same discharge problem, and it is caused by lack of hormones because of the tamoxifen. Basically it's a symptom of vaginal atrophy. I have had the Mona Lisa Touch procedure done, and that has helped my discharge problem a lot. It's still there but it's more manageable. Before I had the procedure my discharge problem was TERRIBLE. Constant panty liners and just a wet sticky crotch all day. My vaginal area is still not right, but it's better now after Mona Lisa Touch.

I am now 3 months off Tamoxifen and am having a real issue with discharge. I had it mildly for the 5 years I was on Tamoxifen but about a month after quitting it got quite heavy. I just finished up a round of Diflucan and I don't think it worked! No change for the first pill. Then second pill on Thursday. Yesterday (Friday) I saw it mostly go away but now today it seems to be back. Grrr.....This is driving me nuts! No real itching, just a very damp feeling because of all the discharge. I'd really love to figure out a cause. Did anyone have this issue and have it eventually go away after stopping Tamoxifen?

what is the Mona Lisa Touch and how does it help exactly? Thanks

Thank goodness I found this site and your posting! I just started the Tamoxifen Aug 28 and the vaginal discharge started Sep 7. I asked my med onc and she thought I had a UTI. So I went to check it and of course it was negative for UTI and I don't need antibiotics. Goodness. When the results were negative, I thought I was incontinent! The discharge is bright yellow. Thank you for educating me. Sometimes the docs don't know all the answers.

I would be concerned about any discharge that isn't normal in color or odor. Normal is clear or white or yellow - not green or brown or bloody. It sometimes has a faint odor but not fishy or rotten.

Mona Lisa Touch is an in office procedure using a laser to reshape the vaginal opening. It is purported to improve the condition of the tissue and lessen discomfort and painful sex. Most of what I've read here is that it's somewhat helpful. It's generally not covered by insurance.