Hello Ladies,

I am new to this board.

I am 39 years old and in full menopause due to past cancer treatments. I was recently tested and have no detectable estrogen at all. I haven't had a period in two years. My sex life has been drastically affected by the lack of estrogen. I've tried Vagifem which had no effect at all on alleviating painful intercourse. I really couldn't tell any difference. I switched to an estrogen cream, three times weekly (Estrace) which has helped a little. I am still experiencing light bleeding after sex, which is distressing. Sex is far from normal.

I am worried that the bleeding will damage my tissues permanently. It seems like normal sex isn't possible without some kind of damage. I've tried KY jelly but there's no friction at all, which is the basis of sex, right?

Sex is a big part of a marriage and I just want to find some kind of normality. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

Hi Cheeky! Welcome to PS. I've used the Estrace as well and it did seem to help quite a lot. Then wonders of wonders, I stopped needing it. Can't explain that but now don't need anything and I'm not taking any hormones at all. I think the old adage "use it or lose it" might be an explanation of sorts. Anyway, maybe you could use some Vit. E oil just before sex...use it during foreplay if you like. It is very soothing and doesn't take much to smooth out and lubricate those delicate tissues. You can either buy it in a bottle or just buy some Vit. E capsules and insert one a few nights a week. Of course this won't work if you need it "right now" but that's what the bottle version is for. Try it and see if it helps you. It is WAY better than KY jelly and will help heal any irritation to the tissues (yours or his!).
xoxo
Jan

Hi Cheeky
I had endometrial cancer almost 4 years ago and had surgery which included removal of my ovaries. I was not allowed estrogen replacement of any kind at first-not even Vagifem but I managed my dryness and atrophy with regular applications of Replens inserted vaginally and vitamin E massaged around the outside every day. I never bled after sex-not once!

I am unsure as to why you are having a problem if you are using a hormonal preparation as I understand that it is the first line and best treatment for vaginal atrophy. Vagifem is quite strong and contains the same level of estrogen as a low dose patch. It is far too strong for me as it goes into my bloodstream. Were you prescribed it as an every day treatment at first? Usually it has to be used every day for two weeks to fix the atrophy and then it can be used just twice a week.

I have never used Estrace which I believe is estradiol in a cream form, but again, it is one of the strongest estrogens so it should fix things for you really. Would you be able to use it every day for a while instead of just three times a week? It is important to get a real good foundation dose in that area to start with before cutting it down.

That said, if you do not wish or are not permitted to use it more often, then the non hormonal treatments I have mentioned above would really help in addition to the hormones.

I, myself still use the Replens three times a week vaginally but now I use Estriol cream to help with dryness and soreness externally.
Estriol is the weakest hormone of all but it is actually one of the best for fixing vaginal atrophy and is very safe for women who have cancer concerns. You may like to look into that?

It is very unusual to hear of any woman complaining of ongoing vaginal problems after local hormone treatments, so I can't help wondering if you have been give enough on a regular basis to fix your problem?

By the way although I do not take systemic estrogen I do use a little vaginal testosterone, which can also help with vaginal dryness. Testosterone does in part convert to estrogen so I don't know if you would want to raise your estrogen levels any more than you are doing already but it wouldl definitely help.

I hope our suggestions have been helpful. do let us know how you are getting on.

janet c