[hutchibk]

I attended an MDAnderson Living Fully With & Beyond Cancer Conference last Sept. This was a subject that was covered in one of the Breast Cancer break-out sessions. We talked pretty in depth about a few things to do to recover from atrophy and loss of sensation. Here's what I learned, but have yet to fully implement... but I plan to.

First, one thing my Gyn told me early on was to "continue to have sex after chemo induced menopause, even when you don't feel like it" - my partner was thrilled to hear her say this and he asked if she could write a prescription stating that. LOL. She said that continuing sex would be the best way to keep the vagina in shape and avoid atrophy. Well, that didn't happen in my world, as I am sure it doesn't happen in the lives of many of us.

I also learned... get this...I did not know this...that Taxol can also cause numbness and neuropathy not only in the hands and feet, but guess where else? Boy was I happy to learn that and know that it should self correct for the most part once I was done with Taxol.

So, I learned a "get back in shape plan" at the conference last year. Basically they suggested that we have to take this on as we would a training program.

First, talk to your doctor about using an estrogen cream or medication (Estrace, Estring, Premarin {which personally I don't like because of what it's made from and problems from it... google it}) Check this site for good info about using the creams: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dru...ation/DR202227
My onc does not feel that Estrace is strong enough percentage wise to have a systemic effect. Ask your doc about this before you proceed.

Second, acquire a good lubricant and a "personal massager." They suggested that using the cream and gently using the massager a couple to a few times a week in conjunction with the estrogen would slowly toughen and build back the vaginal walls, decrease pain and increase sensation. It might take several weeks or a few months to feel noticible results, but basically it is a training program for the female parts. Put yourself in training, they said. We all had a great laugh at that, but it made sense.

Third, slowly add in a "real partner" as you see fit and reap the benefits of your training...

I personally have used Estrace cream for a couple of years to stem the recurrance of UTIs and it has worked very well for me in mitigating the UTIs and restoring sensation. The UTIs were caused by dry, sensitive urinary track tissue being irritated to the point of infection by different caustic chemo drugs on their way out of the body. I also saw a urologist who echoed this and agreed with our plan.