1. < Breast Cancer

Estradiol For vaginal atrophy after breast cancer. Is it safe?

Posted by tres77 @tres77, Mar 10 8:51pm

I have developed severe atrophy 25 years after estrogen receptive breast cancer. Did chemo, radiation and 5 years of Tamoxifen. I was always told NO estrogen. I am experiencing extreme pain and bleeding so sexual intimacy is impossible. I also have been diagnosed with Lichen sclerosus. I am 65 years old. My gyno has prescribed Estradiol vaginal cream 0.01%. I am told the new view and trials say is it is safe for breast cancer survivors. Anyone been down this route or had their gynecologist say this? I really want to try this for quality of life with my husband but I am also very scared.

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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Jun 1 11:48am
In reply to @roch "@tres77 I saw my gyn provider Friday (at Mayo) and she was eager to talk about..." + (show)
@roch

@tres77
I saw my gyn provider Friday (at Mayo) and she was eager to talk about this subject.

Here is JAMA article about study:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2811413
She wrote a prescription and I will be starting. Also mentioned Mona Lisa treatment. I said will try Estrogen Therapy first. Mona Lisa is not covered my insurance.

Tress77, I scan the comments and can not tell if tried the Estradiol, if so did it help?

Jump to this post

I wonder if there also good studies that use DFS, disease free survival, instead of mortality.

I’m really worried that estradiol will cause a recurrence. I may not lose my life to cancer, most of us wont’t. But I don’t like the idea of going through treatment again for a recurrence.

REPLY
1 reply
sue417 | @sue417 | Jun 1 5:33pm

Hi
I have dcis stage 0 er/pr + her2 -lumpectomy radiation my doctor recently put me on vagifem . Not doing tamoxifen or any AIs way to much risk I feel they do more harm than good

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kstar077 | @kstar077 | Jun 11 6:54am
In reply to @triciaot "I wonder if there also good studies that use DFS, disease free survival, instead of mortality...." + (show)
@triciaot

I wonder if there also good studies that use DFS, disease free survival, instead of mortality.

I’m really worried that estradiol will cause a recurrence. I may not lose my life to cancer, most of us wont’t. But I don’t like the idea of going through treatment again for a recurrence.

Jump to this post

I use replens and it works fine for vaginally dryness. No hormones in it.

REPLY
1 reply
sue417 | @sue417 | Jun 12 6:58am
In reply to @roch "@tres77 I saw my gyn provider Friday (at Mayo) and she was eager to talk about..." + (show)
@roch

@tres77
I saw my gyn provider Friday (at Mayo) and she was eager to talk about this subject.

Here is JAMA article about study:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2811413
She wrote a prescription and I will be starting. Also mentioned Mona Lisa treatment. I said will try Estrogen Therapy first. Mona Lisa is not covered my insurance.

Tress77, I scan the comments and can not tell if tried the Estradiol, if so did it help?

Jump to this post

Hi
I was diagnosed with DCI s hormone Positive Her2 negative.Last december I had a lumpectomy and a sentinal node surgery. Stage 0. My oncologist put me on vagifem. I do it twice a week it has helped immensely. I was having chronic UTIs. I am 66 Good Luck

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1 reply
lindajoananderson | @lindajoananderson | Jun 13 1:46pm
In reply to @sue417 "Hi I was diagnosed with DCI s hormone Positive Her2 negative.Last december I had a lumpectomy..." + (show)
@sue417

Hi
I was diagnosed with DCI s hormone Positive Her2 negative.Last december I had a lumpectomy and a sentinal node surgery. Stage 0. My oncologist put me on vagifem. I do it twice a week it has helped immensely. I was having chronic UTIs. I am 66 Good Luck

Jump to this post

Fwd: ACOG Supports the Use of Estrogen for Breast Cancer Survivors - ACOG.
Discovered this research and my oncologist and family doctor agreed

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2 replies
sue417 | @sue417 | Jun 13 2:32pm
In reply to @lindajoananderson "Fwd: ACOG Supports the Use of Estrogen for Breast Cancer Survivors - ACOG. Discovered this research..." + (show)
@lindajoananderson

Fwd: ACOG Supports the Use of Estrogen for Breast Cancer Survivors - ACOG.
Discovered this research and my oncologist and family doctor agreed

Jump to this post

Hi
Whats ACOG? Are you saying vaginally

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Rubyslippers | @triciaot | Jun 13 2:55pm
In reply to @lindajoananderson "Fwd: ACOG Supports the Use of Estrogen for Breast Cancer Survivors - ACOG. Discovered this research..." + (show)
@lindajoananderson

Fwd: ACOG Supports the Use of Estrogen for Breast Cancer Survivors - ACOG.
Discovered this research and my oncologist and family doctor agreed

Jump to this post

This is the recommendation of my oncologist as well - but it’s for low dose vaginal estradiol. I found the vaginal application not helpful as it didn’t trickle down and get enough on the vaginal opening or clitoris. It may help the mucous type cells in the vaginal canal, and improve moisture, but I was looking for more than that.
I was told I should not apply the cream directly onto the clitoris and vaginal opening because it is not approved for breast cancer survivors. It’s unfortunate because that is what worked before being diagnosed.

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chaya242424 | @chaya242424 | Jun 13 5:39pm

Try Premarin. It rebuilds the area.

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chaya242424 | @chaya242424 | Jun 13 5:41pm
In reply to @kstar077 "I use replens and it works fine for vaginally dryness. No hormones in it." + (show)
@kstar077

I use replens and it works fine for vaginally dryness. No hormones in it.

Jump to this post

Reopens doesn't rebuild anything. Doesn't really help the edge of the uterus. Also, one has to watch the type of condom used if applicable.

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2 replies
chaya242424 | @chaya242424 | Jun 13 5:44pm

I use it. My oncologist recommended it.

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