Aromatase Inhibitors and Urethra Problems

Vaginal dryness and atrophy is a s/e of AIs.  My onc is very responsive to QOL issues, and even though I am ER/PR+, I have been using an estring for over a year.  It's made a world of difference!  It's not without risk and controversy because it does place some estrogen into the body, but there have been some studies that seemed to indicate that when it's first used, more estrogen gets into the body, but after several weeks when the vaginal tissues "plump up" very little is absorbed into the system beyond the vagina.  After discussion with my onc, I decided to accept that calculated risk based on the large QOL issues I was having.  Other women have not felt comfortable accepting that risk, and unfortunately there have not been a lot of studies done on this issue, at least not when I was researching this a year or so ago.

I didn't have URIs but like you I did have some urethral irritation, and once I got on the estring that hasn't been an issue at all. 

You may want to discuss the risk/benefits of vaginal estrogen like an estring with your onc.  Good luck - your problem is extremely common - it's just that people and doctors are uncomfortable discussion such personal issues, and I think it's very underreported.  We all think we're the only ones, and we are not by far!

drink tons and tons of cranberry juice and water for the urethra irritation

Have you tried using 100% virgin coconut oil?  I use it religiously every day, morning and night.  You can buy it a health food store, in the jar it is solid, but when you put it on your finger it becomes softer.  I wear a pantyliner because it can leak a bit, depending on how much you put in.  I had a "cysto" as well - nothing.  I think it's just the AI atrophy (Femara) for me, chemo also causes this, so it's a double whammy.

My onc. is totally against me using any kind of vaginal estrogen, mainly because I was 90% ER+.  Using the coconut oil has been a big help for me, but you have to be diligent and use it all the time.

Ouch, a cyst.  I'm sure you'll feel better when that is removed. 

I am with Caya - I swear by the 100% virgin coconut oil - use the Whole Food "generic" 365 brand.  I've tried about everything else - and morning & night - this has been the best.  I too wear a "paty liner" every day - but it's ore than worth it, to have the relief from that awful drying.

 I also now use the coconut oil as my night cream on my face!  Fantastic- really as made such a difference.

AZO makes a cranberry extract pill that I take every night. I used Huggies gentle care wet wipes after regular toilet paper to keep the area super clean.

I found this thread by accident. I am in my upper 60’s and never had a UTI until after I had a recent cystoscopy. I have had three cystoscopies in the past year due to a possible growth in my bladder. I took the antibiotics but still feel sore. I have small, unseen amounts of blood in my urine all the time (hematuria). I have been on Letrozole for almost 6 months. I have a lot of urethral pain/discomfort now that I didn’t have before I was on the AI but I never made the connection.

Thank you for reviving this thread!