Hi all, I have just gone through treatment for my breast cancer ER+ HER2- and am now on examestane and zolodex… (excuse the spellings)
Im now dealing with the side effects. Menopausal symptoms etc but my worst is the loss of sexual desire! It’s like my switch has been turned off. Spoken with my oncologist and the simple answer was “there’s nothing we can do” naturally that lead me down a rabbit hole on Google trying to find something that I can do!
MACA ROOT?
Some say it’s fine, some say it’s unsafe as it simulates estrogen…
I want to give it a try but I also dont want my cancer to grow back. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I’m not sure i want to carry on like this for the next 5 years. Neither does my husband! 
Hi kingsbreasts
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Lisa
Ask Our Nurses service co-ordinator
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Hi kingsbreasts
Thanks for your posts.
Many women experience loss of libido as a consequence of taking hormone therapies like exemestane and zoladex which they find emotionally devastating. As you mention, this can have an impact on both partners in an intimate relationship.
Many people ask us about vitamins and herbs, superfoods and supplements as they want to do as much as possible to be healthy and manage side effects of treatment for breast cancer including menopausal symptoms such as loss of libido.
There is often the belief that these products are safe as they are considered natural. However, there is much we don’t know about many of them as they don’t have to comply with the same regulations or rigorous testing that conventional medicines do.
We know that some can interfere with conventional medicines including cancer treatments and for many products, there is a lack of research to support their use.
You can search this American website, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, for information about individual supplement s such as Maca.
Each has sections on existing evidence and what known interaction there is with other medications. You may find that that some herbs have different names in America. You can also search herbal products and supplements on the European website Complementary and Alternative Medicine for cancer and on the American website Medicine Plus, however it’s always important to check with your breast care nurse or treatment team before taking any of them.
Finding help to manage side effects to maintain your quality of life is really important. You may find our information about loss of sexual desire in our booklet on Your body, intimacy and sex helpful to read (pages 22-27) to start with.
Many people find support from a psychosexual therapist or menopause specialist helpful in finding ways to manage loss of libido too. You may find it more helpful to talk with your breast care nurse, rather than your oncologist, about how you’re feeling and the impact that your treatment is having on your libido. They will know where you might be able to access professional help and should be able to refer you for further advice.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Out of hours you can leave a message and we will call you back when we next open.
Best wishes
Catherine
Breast Care Nurse
Please read the disclaimer Full details on how we collect and use your data can be found in our Privacy Policy
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