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[debq]

Hi

I finished treatment for breast cancer five years ago and have been on tamoxifen ever since (and for the next five years). Vaginal atrophy has been a big problem getting much worse over the last six months bringing constant embarrassing itching and bleeding. I have tried everything including stuff bought abroad to no avail. My oncologist has now suggested Vagifem with a start of every day for a week then just once a week which I have just started. Is anyone else here on similar please?  I am very nervous as my cancer was oestrogen led but I’m desperate to get some relief.

[Gnatty]

On IGTV if you look for Harley Street Emporium and then their video with Menopause Taylor there is a section where they talk about VA and vagifem. The gist of it is the molecules in vagifem are too large to escape the vaginal walls and so the argument is the treatment is completely localised. Also it is a very very small amount of the hormone. Menopause Doctor also has some great resources on their website. Pretty sure you will find the reassurance you are after there.

[pepperminty]

Hi

sorry to hear what you have been going through, have  look at the below. It is choice, and having the right information to make that choice. Also you may want to Read the book Estrogen Matters written by a specialist A Bluming who's wife and daughter had cancer I believe. Local estrogen is a very tiny ammount and it is also quality of life.

Peppermintyxx



https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/hrt-and-breast-cancer

https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/my-story-the-double-whammy-of-breast-cancer-and-menopause

https://d2931px9t312xa.cloudfront.net/menopausedoctor/files/information/579/GSM%20for%20BSSM%20FINAL%20version%20with%20links.pdf

[CLKD]

5 years is a long way from the diagnosis and treatment.  Quality of Life.  VA has to be treated! regardless.  'vagifem' and 'ovestin' are for a 2 weeks loading, every night.  Then twice a week with a few nights between each dose.  Unless symptoms persist, when every night is OK. 

Tamoxifen made me very ill  so as it was on an 'in case' basis - in that it may lessen the chances of recurrence - so I stopped in 1996 after 4-5 weeks of it.  Still here.

 

[Tinkerbell]

Meno specialist i saw had previous breat cancer and used Estradot patches and a Mirena herself she said as long as disease was not active it was fine. So i guess she would have approved Vagifem as that is topical treatment.

I hope you get it sorted VA is awful.

[Gnatty]

Do you have the Balance app? They have just posted an article about Vagifem and breast cancer. An extract from which states:

"There's no evidence to suggest that women who have a history of any type of cancer - including breast cancer - are at an increased risk of cancer recurrence if they use vaginal estrogen."

[jaypo]

I have only yesterday spoken to a top gynaecologist,he has been campaigning for years to have the patient info changed re vagifem,he said it is very safe and he himself prescribes it to women who have had breast cancer,there is no link at all,the amount of oestrogen is small and topical,so no risk of it in the blood stream.
Xx

[debq]

Thanks for your reassurance. I knew I would get some good information here! 😊 It doesn’t help that the vagifem information leaflet says not to use it! Crazy.

[jaypo]

The information leaflet is outdated,did you watch the Davina McColl programme? Really informative regarding  vagifem.

[pepperminty]

Yes as Jaypo says the leaflet is for HRT not local topical eatrogen for the Foof !  .  They just haven't changed it yet.  Loiuse Newson is campaigning for them to do so. Scares women needlessley .

PMX

[debq]

Yes I did see Davinas programme, but I was still a bit confused what with the leaflet and the letter from my oncologist still being somewhat hesitant about using anything. I just hope it will do something down there. The itching and burning is one thing but seeing my sex life disappear into history without a choice is another. Fingers crossed!

[jaypo]

Good luck,hope you get it sorted out x

[CLKD]

Very rarely, some ladies who don't get appropriate VA treatment, find that the vaginal lips fuse together which requires surgical intervention.  It is not common but it can happen due to extreme dryness.  Quality of Life.  Once the 2/3 weeks loading of either 'vagifem' or 'ovestin' the tissues should be well plumped and less sore/itchy.  It's a matter then of keeping the whole area, inside and out, supple and moist to stop dryness.

4 me it was like razor blades  up there with repeated urinary tract-type infection feelings but samples showed no growth.  My GP never hesitated about prescribing VA treatment.  My breast surgery was in 1996.  [I think]

[Nas]

BC survivor of 11 years here. On hrt patches, vagifem, ovestin and testogel. I am NOT putting up with VA, it is horrific! I asked GP for Ovestin on Thurday, She said "computer says no" I said quite politely, " I don't give a fig what computer says my body needs oestrogen. NOW will you prescribe the cream PLEASE". I have a tube in my bathroom now:-)

Seriously, there needs to be a national campaign re: HRT and BC, because frankly, too many women are being denied treatment for menopause, just because they have had breast cancer. I can appreciate that some will not want to take HRT and that is there choice. But there are some of us (myself included) who did not endure that hateful disease and all that went with it, to then suffer from a catalogue of debilitating menopause symtoms, only to be told "no" to any form of HRT over and over. It isn't good enough.

Best of luck xx

[jaypo]

Well said Nas and nice work re your Dr,a lot of women won't contradict what their dr says and sadly,the Dr is just WRONG