Hi everyone, not been on for ages. Hope you are all doing well. I suprise myself everyday at how well I am now, barring the odd little hiccup! Posting this query here as I still consider I am young at 44!
Very briefly I was diag. Jan 06. Left side mast. with immediate Lat.Dors. & implant recon. No RADS or Chemo. Allergic to Tamoxifen so was on monthly Zoladex inj. until Dec 07 then ovaries removed. Recently I have started to bleed after intercourse even though we use LOTS of lube! GP tests have ruled out any infections and smear test is clear. GP said they could see area of bleed caused by membrane thinning due to lack of oestrogen/ovaries. GP writing to Oncologist to see if I can use an oestrogen gel safely to help prevent the bleeds.
My questions are…
what will happen if I don’t take any action, use the gel etc? Will the bleeds just get worse? Could they become dangerous or do I risk infection etc. ( I have been married for 24 years so not a question of STi’s etc!) I had oestrogen receptive BC so will an oestrogen gel increase my risk from the lowest it is without ovaries?
I know I need to speak to my GP again when she has a reply from the Onc. but I am desperate for some info now.
Hi Dawn, i hope you dont mind me replying as i am young at heart! although i have just turned 50.
I was prog *** and had same problem as you though without the bleeding. For me it was imposible to have sex at all because my skin was so thin. Hubby examined me and he said the skin was bright red and look like tissue paper. Too much info i know!
Not only could i not have any kind of penetration but could bear him to even touch the outside area - it was agony. Like someone cutting me with a knife.
I went to my gp and he said he couldnt prescribe these hormone pesaries without the oncs say so because of my circumstances. So he wrote a letter for me to give my onc, which i did. She read it and said yes of course you can have it, its an excellent treatment and the hormones dont pass over into the blood stream from down there. Or somehting like this as i am in France and she has an heavy accent.
I had to ue the pessarie everynight for a month then just once or twice a week. I can honestly say i am completely back to normal. It hasnt helped my libido but if i make the effort there is not pain or discomfort.
I panicked as i thought i would never be able to have sex again but this treatment is brilliant.
I hope you get the same.
The name of the stuff is Colpotrophine
Hi Pineapple
I have found your comment on colpotrophine VERY helpful. It has been prescribed [in France] to replace Vagifem which was prescribed in UK. I was a bit concerned when trying to identify it’s uses in english, on-line, that it didn’t mention the lubrication aspect (vaginal atrophication?) in the sites I was finding - more that it helps with urinary difficulties! The ingredients are also quite different in the two products. You have set my mind at rest and I’ll start using it now.
