Libido and Vagifem

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BrushJanus50T
BrushJanus50T Member Posts: 11
edited December 2021 in Sex & Relationship Matters

Unfortunately I had to give up using estrogen replacement therapy due to DCIS. I just started the Tamoxifen low dose 5mg daily for three years therapy. Today I asked my oncologist to prescribe Vagifem which she did. My question is about libido. I’ve been researching Vagifem effects on women’s libidos and all I can find is information on vaginal atrophy. Why is libido not addressed? Having been on ERT for 11 years due to what turned out to be an totally unnecessary full hysterectomy (it was unnecessary because no cancer was found), the ERT covered all my bases regarding sexuality. I have never experienced the unpleasure of menopause nor experienced dryness or loss of libido. I want and need a libido and want to know if Vagifem works for one’s libido? I would more than appreciate positive comments about maintaining libido while using Vagifem. I can get a moist vagina from lubricants and want more than that. Thank you

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  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited November 2021

    I'm not sure I understand. Are you looking for an aphrodisiac? Something to increase your libido? Or just want to make sure you don't dampen it?

    I've been using Yuvafem for years. I had a good sex drive before I started using it and I still do.

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  • BrushJanus50T
    BrushJanus50T Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2021

    Thank you for writing that you still have a good sex drive. I am not searching for an aphrodisiac but something that will counteract what medications like Tamoxifen seemingly rob from women: their sexuality. So thank you, your experience is encouraging.

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited November 2021

    My libido was through the roof pre-cancer (most guys I dated were intimidated by it; thankfully, I met my DH). Tamoxifen killed it. Arimidex killed it further. I am using vagifem and/or Estring and I am sad to say, it has done nothing for my libido. Sexual desire is, as you pointed out, more than just being and staying lubricated. In men, testosterone increases their libido. In women, "they" still don't know. A lot is psychological/mental attitude, but there are hormones involved too. Since we aren't "allowed" systemic hormones, it's a tough nut to crack. I heard some ladies use a tiny amount of testosterone and that that helps, but I don't know how safe it is for breast cancer issues. Best to you.

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  • MountainMia
    MountainMia Member Posts: 1,307
    edited November 2021

    Yes, and to be clear, I'm not using tamoxifen or other systemic hormones. I don't have any idea if it will counteract them. I'm only saying, for me, it didn't make anything worse.

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  • Waves2Stars
    Waves2Stars Member Posts: 158
    edited November 2021

    My MO recommended Ristel from Hellobonafide for libido. In addition, weight lifting could help raise testosterone levels, even in women, which helps with libido and mood. More importantly, you can raise levels of dopamine to help your drive, simply by exercising, listening to energetic music or dancing! There are other ways to raise dopamine that are pretty simple and part of basic healthy self care.

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  • BrushJanus50T
    BrushJanus50T Member Posts: 11
    edited December 2021

    Thank you so much for your comments. I am going to push this issue.
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  • BrushJanus50T
    BrushJanus50T Member Posts: 11
    edited December 2021
    Thank you for your recommendations!
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  • Jons_girl
    Jons_girl Member Posts: 696
    edited December 2021

    waves: what do you think about ristela?

    Brushjanus: I am completely on the same page. Living like this isn’t real life. I’m not on hormone blockers by choice. But I went through menopause post breast cancer and life isn’t the same. It doesn’t have to be that way.

    Someone mentioned testosterone. I used testosterone cream for awhile. It helped some I think. But I think I got headaches as I recall? So stopped. It’s supposedly safe to use tho just so you know My MO wanted to check my hormone levels tho which is fine

    I plan to chat with dr about this again. I agree we don’t have to live this way.

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