I had breast cancer June 2024. invasive ductal carcinoma ER8/8 PR 7/8 HER2 1+, wide local excision July. Nodes clear0/2. Radio therapy26Gy in 5 fractions October.
Anastrozole 1mg daily and Zoledronic acid infusions 6 monthly for 3 yrs.
I have ongoing urine urgency but not quite incontinence. I have been treated for UTI with no effect on the sensation of wanting to PU. I am wondering if the effect of the endocrine therapy is thinning and therefore hyper sensitivity of the urethral membranes. Is there anything I can do about it please?
Hi @Jan333 , I experienced the same thing on letrozole along with vaginal dryness. When I treated the dry vagina with a non hormonal pessary the stress and urge incontinence reduced considerably. X
Hi Jan333
Thanks for your post.
It sounds like you are having a difficult time with urinary urgency despite treatment for a UTI. Anastrozole can cause menopausal symptoms, which include bladder symptoms.
Bladder/urogenital problems are often due to the lack of oestrogen when you’re on hormone therapy. Oestrogen helps maintain the health and thickness of the urethra’s lining. With a lack of oestrogen the urethra lining can become thinner and less flexible/elastic, making it more susceptible to irritation and infection.
It’s important to rule out any other cause for the symptoms you are experiencing. You could discuss this with your breast care nurse. It may also be helpful to speak with your GP about a referral to a urologist. You may also want to ask to be referred to aa menopause specialist. As @Tulip29 says, urinary urgency is sometimes linked to vaginal dryness and treating this can help resolve both symptoms.
We also have a speakers live coming up in November with Dr Alison Macbeth who has a special interest in management of menopausal symptoms in breast cancer. You may also find this podcast episode of bladder health after cancer helpful.
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