I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and have had the works: surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, Herceptin and now only Arimidex, the new aromatase inhibitor (generic name anastrozole). The Arimidex is to block estrogen synthesis. After several months of the latter I was finding sexual intercourse was becoming very painful. At first I tried Replens vaginal moisturizer three times a week for 4 months, but the feeling that my vagina had got much narrower (hence the pain) was not alleviated. I consulted my GP who referred me to a gynecologist who, realizing that my problem was not psycho-sexual, gave me a set of dilators. After a couple of weeks of twice-daily use things started to improve and after about a month I was nearly back to normal. A word of warning, though, the dilators are made of very hard plastic and I managed to give myself cystitis twice! As I believe that using a dilator 5/6 per week will be required to keep the vagina stretched I have bought a much more comfortable latex device from Anne Summers (that took some courage, but I did it on-line!)
Wouldn’t happen to be a Rabbit would it? lol
Not a rabbit—that looked too much! It was the Sinnflut, ghastly colour, but very natural texture.
Is there no end to the side affects this disease brings with it, I had heard of vaginal dryness but not narrowing, are you sure it’s not an excuss to you know what?! Sorry not trying to make fun of your condition or device, just astounded at what we have to put up with!
Irene