Vaginal Estrogen after ER/PR +

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Krma
Krma Member Posts: 16
edited February 2021 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I’ve had a oomph and am taking AIs. I was 95% + for ER/ PR. My doctor gave me a prescription for vaginal estrogen. I’m concerned about the safety of use due to ER/ PR +. Has anyone used vaginal estrogens? Please let me know your experience

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  • macb04
    macb04 Member Posts: 1,433
    edited December 2017

    I am on a specially compounded Vaginal Estradiol Suppository for 14 days, with Vitamin E and Hyaluranic Acid, then I switch to 3 or 4 times per week of a Compounded Estriol plus Vitamin E and Hyaluranic Acid thereafter. I am also on oral Bioidentical Progesterone. I had the same ER/PR as you. I get those compounded RX's from my Naturopath. It has helped the terrible dryness and loss of stretch from that tamoxifen crap. The Progesterone is to help prevent overgrowth of my uterine lining that will otherwise be likely to occur with unopposed estrogen.

    It is helping. Sex had become painful, no matter what kind of lube. I also had very frequent UTI's.

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  • Krma
    Krma Member Posts: 16
    edited May 2020

    My doctor gave me a prescription for this but I was too afraid to take it. I am on AIs not Tamoxifen so it seemed very risky to me. In the end I decided it wasn’t worth the risk. I now use KY liquid beads before sex. They are very helpful

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  • Jons_girl
    Jons_girl Member Posts: 696
    edited May 2020

    Thank you for posting this. I just entered menopause and feel in some aspects that my body is falling apart. My gma had breast cancer and took tamoxifen for years. Then hit 7 yrs and dr said she could go off it. She too was miserable. Asked her gyn for hrt. I realize taking hrt is different. But I am scared to death to use anything even creams. Cause her cancer came back (Mets) and she’s died within about a year after that

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  • Jrzygrl0821
    Jrzygrl0821 Member Posts: 8
    edited May 2020

    I've been using vaginal estrogen for awhile now due to frequent UTI's. It helps but leaves me with a sticky vaginal discharge. I take it twice a week. My oncologist said there is a very low risk of this type of estrogen causing a problem with hormone positive breast cancer. I trust him.. My husband notices a difference too. I also use a water based lubricant for sex and sex has never been painful. I also take a probiotic formulated for urinary health.

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  • Jons_girl
    Jons_girl Member Posts: 696
    edited December 2020

    I had a special test done (urine) for hormone levels through a functional medicine doctor. Some of my medical team including my MO are supporting estrogen cream vaginally as well as testosterone cream vaginally for my symptoms and deficiencies. My MO stated there are studies that support the body doesn't uptake the estrogen cream. But because of the testosterone and just out of caution my doctor will be running blood tests to make sure my estrogen and testosterone levels don't go up. If they do then we change amount of med.

    I haven't started yet on this protocol yet. I want my breast doctors approval too. My MO has approved tho.

    I'm not telling anyone else to do the above info but I'm considering the advice of my functional medicine doctor.

    I’m wondering how many women who have had breast cancer safely use these products without recurrence

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  • ilana_lisa
    ilana_lisa Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2021

    I was already in menopause when I started chemo last year (I'm 50) and am now experiencing the vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse. The fun doesn't stop! I am considering the estrogen creams but am leaning more towards vaginal rejuvenation (Mona Lisa). Its a laser treatment that promotes collagen and I hear it is highly effective. Aside from being ER+ I am not sure i feel like messing with a cream if I can just fix it altogether.

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  • LaughingGull
    LaughingGull Member Posts: 560
    edited February 2021

    I am interested in this too -I am about to book an appointment with a gynecologist to talk estrogen creams, for which the MO gave me her "permission". Can someone share some evidence of efficacy for the Mona Lisa treatment? Who prescribes that? Gynecologist?

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  • Nsbrown54
    Nsbrown54 Member Posts: 908
    edited February 2021

    Hi ilana_lisa and LaughingGull - I had 3 Mona Lisa Touch treatments several years ago. My GYN suggested it. I had to be recommended to a GYN practice that had the equipment. I didn’t notice any improvement. I’m post menopausal and also had a hip replacement (which limits positions), so I don’t know if that made the difference or not. I moved, so I didn't follow up to see what else could be done or have additional MLT yearly treatment as is recommended.

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  • Krma
    Krma Member Posts: 16
    edited February 2021

    I decided I would go ahead and try the Estradol (vaginal suppository). I started it 2 weeks ago everyday. Now I am down to 2x per week. It worried me so I’ve been putting it off. I really neede something though so I’m trying it. I would like to know about reoccurrence after use. I asked my oncologist and my surgeon and they both told me the reoccurrence risk is low.

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  • amanda6
    amanda6 Member Posts: 121
    edited February 2021

    Ive been using a vaginal estrogen cream, currently estridol, for 10 years, pretty much ever since my treatment. My gyno said there was very little risk, my onco said there was some risk but it was my choice. I don't use a lot - a tube lasts me for several months...

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