Hello, I am post menopausal and have been taking Anastrozole for 5 weeks (following a lumpectomy and recent radiotherapy) I have noticed a small amount of vaginal bleeding today. Is this a common side effect from Anastrozole?
I don’t have any other symptoms and I have recently had a smear - with normal result. I am 62 and had been on HRT until my diagnosis in January. Many thanks.
I have been experiencing lower middle back strain for a couple of months now after being on same medication since June. Almost a year and the back strain is more or less an everyday occurrence. My feet and ankles were the in pain from the beginning. But that simmered down only to lead me to to this new discomfort. I have also built up a belly I have never had my entire life. I have never been overweight till this medication came into my regimen. Every time I bring up these ackes, I am always told it’s not from the medication….lol and what can be the trigger. Older age? Or maybe estrogen decreases and joints hurt? Well, then it’s the medication pushing all these issues forward into old age issues. Idk. Does anyone else’s have pains in the back, legs, it’s more like stiffness not pain. Lots of stiffness. Especially when I get out of the car. My body is tight and stiff for several minutes.
Hello I have been on Anastrazol
For a year. My whole body aches since taking it I have never felt so old. Plus now taking sleeping tablets for insomnia & anxiety. All side effects to this drug. Only 4 years to go. I’m looking forward to when I can stop taking it it as I think I will feel so much better & years younger lol I am 64. I do fight the effects as I think well it’s keeping the cancer away so I swim & walk when I can. I find being active helps relieve the aches & stiffness. Hope yours eases for you x
I went on Anastrezole several months ago as problems on Tamoxifen, but I feel I’ve aged overnight can hardly walk when get up not sleeping as so much pain in neck arms pelvis and legs, spoke to Doctor and surgeon last wk who just advised I could change to another but you then wonder what u are doing yet again to your body, but this I can’t imagine for another four yrs
Normally I’m an Active young minded sixties lady.
It’s not easy at all is it. My oncologist said it’s only for 5 years by which time I will be nearly 70! When did that happen lol. I just always think it could be a lot worse I guess & lucky mine was caught early & they have these meds to try & prevent it coming back. I’ve been going through the menopause since I was 48 & here we go again symptom wise. But a positive mindset works & exercise & getting out & about & being kind to yourself x
So agree Bonfox I’m going to be 69y this year you really do have to push yourself and be thankful they have caught it and treating it
xx
The anastrozol was giving me insomnia & 4am anxiety I still work full time & could not carry on like that. GP prescribed Mirtazapine to help with sleep. It’s a very mild dose but it was so lovely to sleep again & also helped with the anxiety. It’s like a have a super power now lol. It’s also a mild antidepressant but they use it as it works better than traditional sleeping tabs 
xxx
Hi @rosierose1 vaginal atrophy (VA) is a reasonably common side effect of AIs. I had a dose within two months of starting Letrozole as the lack of oestrogen thins the membranes of the vaginal walls. It’s worth checking in with your BC nurse or even your GP about it. It’s unlikely to be anything more sinister but it can be quite uncomfortable. If it is VA then the treatment is usually a topical oestrogen pessary like Vagirux or cream like Ovestin. These treatments are a tad controversial for women who have, or have had, Er+ breast cancer as some oncologists stick to the view that any hormonal replacement would be detrimental but there has been a lot of research to say that topical HR doesn’t have any impact as it doesn’t enter the bloodstream. So it depends on how your oncologist views things. Mine would not prescribe topical HR with an AI but would allow it if I changed to Tamoxifen. At 66, I did not want to do that and now control it with Hyalofemme which is obtainable without prescription as it does not contain estriol or estradiol. Have a chat with your BC nurse as it’s the sort of thing they deal with regularly.
Hi @rosierose1,
Thanks for posting.
Anastrozole is a hormone therapy drug used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through a natural menopause (when periods stop).
It is reassuring that you have had a recent normal smear test.
Vaginal bleeding can happen in the first few weeks after starting anastrozole. If the bleeding continues for more than a few days, it is important to report this to your treatment team.
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