Hi
In early February I had a lumpectomy a followed by radiotherapy for two tumours in left breast, nothing in lymph nodes . I have been taking Letrozole for 6 months , I was generally managing the side effects quite well until recently . I have developed vaginal dryness and it’s really really sore . I spoke to my GP who has been amazing , she prescribed YES cream and suggested a low estrogen cream if needed . The YES cream hasn’t helped much but I am very reluctant to use estrogen . It seems odd to take a tablet to reduce estrogen and then use a topical estrogen cream …… this is really having a huge effect on me, any suggestions or ideas much welcome
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@llanwinno123 I sympathise with your soreness - it is terrible I know. I have been on vaginal oestrogen cream for a couple of years following the menopause. After I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April I was advised to stop the oestrogen cream. Within 2 weeks I started to get sore etc… After doing some research and taking advice, which suggested that the amount of oestrogen absorbed is minimal, I restarted the cream. For me, the extremely small risk posed by the cream was vastly outweighed by the misery the dryness symptoms caused, on top of chemotherapy side effects, plus surgery and radiotherapy.
I agree that taking the cream, while taking tablets to reduce oestrogen seems counter intuitive but the vaginal cream is topical and hardly any is absorbed.
Sorry I have no non oestrogen solutions. I tried them all before starting the oestrogen cream and it was the only thing that worked.
Good luck.
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Thank you Pat , I might chat things through with my breast care nurse as to the pros and cons
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I suffered from this with zero help during my first bout of breast cancer. This time around, I’ve had no hesitation in using localised estrogen - I have vagifem suppositories and it makes a world of difference. Look at Dr Liz O Rhidions research on this - it’s so localised; it doesn’t increase any risk. I was getting repeated UTIs and atrophy and now even though things are still not 100% down there, those more serious issues have resolved and I’m not in pain constantly!
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Hi, sorry to read you’re having this issue. Totally understand concerns about vaginal oestrogen. My GP doesn’t recommend it. Two years after my BC diagnosis I mentioned it to my BC nurse as I was really struggling and a recent smear test had been agony. She sent me off with a handful of samples of YES products to try. They’re brilliant, organic and work. Check out the website. Some of it is also available on prescription.
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I was told by breast care nurse who checked for me that the oestrogen cream was okay to use but like you it didn’t sit right with me, as I’m also taking letrozole.
I now use hylaofemme which I get on prescription.
Hope you find something that helps you.
Take care
Xx
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I have the same issues and I use vagifem and some topical oestrogen cream for a small area .its made a huge difference and the risk I was informed is equivalent to taking 1 HRT tablet a year .the difference it’s made to me and my quality of life is huge . I’m a keen cyclist and before -well I leave you to image that .
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Hi
I wrote this. Hope it helps.
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Vaginal oestrogen pessaries or cream is not absorbed into your systemic circulation and is therefore considered safe for breast cancer survivors.
Believe me it makes a difference !!!
I use vaginal oestrogen pessaries twice weekly, plus YES moisturizer plus a good quality silicone lubricant. With all of that can just about manage SI without being in agony. I’m not prepared to give up my sex life BC or not 
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I also suffered from intense discomfort but have managed with the variety of products from YES. The WB moisturiser is available on prescription. As for topical estrogen, have a listen to this podcast by Dr. Louise Newson watch might be helpful:
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Thank you that is really interesting and informative
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Dr liz o’riordan has some good information on the subject ‘vaginal dryness’ for er+ patients . Worth checking out. She is a breast surgeon who had to retire after breast cancer.
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Hi, l too suffer with dryness and taking a AI’s as my hormone therapy- topical oestrogen l don’t think is suggested ( not enough evidence to show if it’s safe compared to tamoxifen )
I tried yes, but didn’t like the smell, or texture. I also spoke with a menopause specialist and she mentioned using E45 cream, I’ve found that much better and apply it a few times a day ( l use the tube) and l also use a gentle, sensitive face cleanser ( ceraphil) to wash down there because shower gel is too harsh, l have noticed a difference doing these two things, hasn’t gone completely but most of the time I’m not sore and not having as many UTI. Xxx
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See my post above if you click on my link there is a robust study using 100s of women on tamoxifen and AI’s using vaginal oestrogen.
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Hi there
I use Balance Active Moisture Plus pessaries which are hormone free and have really helped me. I am on Letrozole too and on chemo tablets. Highly recommend!
Harriett x
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