estrogen creams

Jen · 07-02-2007, 10:13 PM

Catherine I am glad to hear that you are going to do some research and seek solutions. I wish you the best of luck.

Jennifer

Patricia · 07-02-2007, 10:42 PM

I am also using Estring. My breast surgeon recommended it to me and both the onc and gyno approved it. It seemed to make a big difference initially, but it has felt less effective lately, so it is interesting hearing Debbie's experience with it. I have been on it about 9 mos now. For me it was so bad that even wiping would cause me to bleed so I needed to do something! As far as sex goes, I still rely on also using lubricants but it is doable and even enjoyable, whereas before it was literally impossible. I think the hard part for me was that it seemed to really affect my husband as well. He did not want to hurt me and between recovery from surgeries, being sick through chemo and healing from radiation burns he just felt every where he went he hurt me, so when the vaginal atrophy became apparent as well I thought our sex life was over - really over. I was concerned with the warnings but with all the docs telling me it was ok even after we discussed the risks, it really became a QOL decision for me. I hope you find something that works well for you too.

Hugs,
Patricia

harrie · 07-02-2007, 11:29 PM

I have a friend who will be going for a consultation at this facility called Sklar Center for Women's Wellness in Southern California. Web site is: sklarcenter.com
It is a team composed of a physician (Dr. Susan Sklar), therapist, psychologist, etc that deal with nothing but women's concerns such as menopause, sexual issues, cancer sexual issues plus other issues I don't quite remember.
My friend is only 34 yrs old and has been thrown into "chemo-menopause" and is looking for advice and recommendations. Her oncologist has recommended this center for her.

tricia keegan · 07-03-2007, 02:59 PM

Does everyone get this? I had my ooph last year and am on Arimidex and so far no dryness or vaginal atrophy signs at all. Should I relax or is just a question of time, ie when will I get it??

Becky · 07-03-2007, 07:34 PM

I am using the estring too. I am not that much ER+ and PR-. After the ooph and Arimidex, besides the vaginal atrophy and dryness, I had never ending bladder infections. My onc and surgeon were gun ho for the estring (which I am using now) but my gyne preferred the premarin cream. I opted for the estring due to lack of messiness.

For me this thread is extremely timely. I am nearing 5 months on the estring and the first estring (for those that don't know - they last 90 days), it was like a miracle. I wanted to call my onc St. Myron but it is not as effective as before. Until I read this thread, I thought I might have gotten a "bum" ring but now I don't think so. If it keeps up this way, maybe I will switch to the messier cream if it works better. However, my onc did say that the estring is the only "allowed" vaginal product to use if you are in clinical trials. Also, it is the only featured product in conferences for oncs on quality of life issues/topics. It is very safe (according to them).

I did have my estrogens measured before insertion (I asked to have this done) and I got them measured again after 2 months and got the exact same readings. This greatly reassured me. I am just a bit concerned as it doesn't seem as effective. I did have my "yearly" with the gyne and he said my vagina looked nice and healthy with lots of adult cells sloughing off and it was not that way before (as I was going there with the UTIs and some vaginal soreness/infections due to atrophy).

Oh well - at least no UTIs and that is a huge blessing.

dberg · 07-07-2007, 07:40 PM

OK, the latest. I spoke to my onc today and he said he prescribed estrogen cream ONLY for those who had tried EVERYTHING else because we just don't know how much is absorbed. He also said if I wanted to use the estrogen cream, I'd have to stay on tamoxifen and not switch to an AI, which actually makes sense given the estrogen absorption. But what about the crosstalk with her2??? Aaaarrgghh!

So I have vaginal atrophy, but I also ache in my bladder area. I asked for a consult to urology due to my constant "urinary tract infections" which don't always show up as such, but sure feel like one. Sometimes they are related to sex, sometimes they are not.

I'm a mess right now. I just hurt. Does this ever end? Will the premarin cream relieve me of all this?

Melinda · 07-07-2007, 08:54 PM

Has anyone read Dr Christiane Northrup's book titled THE WISDOM OF MENOPAUSE? Starting with perimenopause through menopause she focuses on HRT synthetic vs bioidentical,, food supplements, the mind body connection and much much more. She caught my attention on a PBS station, so I bought the book I have only just started reading it but what is interesting is that she supports her information from her experiences, both as a DR and a woman and through extensive research siting specific studies. Its just not for sisters with cancer, but for all women reaching "this new age". I hope you find it as interesting as I am.
Melinda