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@virginiae
Such an interesting question. I have an estrogen-related issue which may or may not be in the same boat, but may further enlighten the discussion.
Six years ago, as a clearly postmenopausal woman, I began having horrendous UTIs each month (something my mother and older sister also were plagued with). My PCP would give me antibiotics to which I would have strong adverse effects, and sent me to a urologist who said my bladder and kidneys were in great shape. After several months of the UTIs, I went to a gyno-oncologist on another issue and mentioned the UTIs. He said the solution to that was easy and prescribed 10 mcg. vaginal estradiol tablets twice a week (a tiny, tiny amount)... and the UTIs stopped. I haven't had one since. (I had no idea there was a connection, and apparently, neither did my PCP nor the urologist.)
When menopause occurs, estrogen production is reduced, which is the major cause of urogenital atrophy. Atrophy means a wasting away of muscle mass, and urogenital atrophy involves atrophy of the vagina as well as atrophy of the urinary tract. Potential issues include UTIs, stress and urge incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, vaginal bleeding, etc. There are various lifestyle changes (like reducing caffeine, specific exercises, maintaining a healthy weight, etc.) and medical procedures which can address these. Topical estradiol also is one.
As you likely know, anastrozole is a double-whammy for postmenopausal women... our ovaries are no longer making estrogen, and now the anastrozole is blocking the estrogen from our fat cells and adrenals.
At one time, it was thought that topical vaginal estradiol was contraindicated for HR+ breast cancer patients, as systemic estradiol (HRT) certainly is. More recently, however, studies indicate that postmenopausal breast cancer women who use vaginal estrogen have the same risks (for invasive breast cancer, stroke, blood clots, endometrial cancer, and colorectal cancer) as women who do not use vaginal estrogen.
https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/vaginal-estrogen-not-linked-to-high-risk
https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Gynecologic-Practice/The-Use-of-Vaginal-Estrogen-in-Women-With-a-History-of-Estrogen-Dependent-Breast-Cancer
https://www.medpagetoday.com/obgyn/breastcancer/56449
The controversy now is whether the tiny amounts of estradiol (10 mcg taken twice a week = 20 mcg.) which breast cancer survivors use for urogenital issues is enough to interfere with the work of anastrozole (1 mg. = 1,000 mcg. taken daily = 7,000 mcg) as to make it substantially less efficacious. The use of estradiol therefore becomes an informed decision as the experts have not come to a conclusion.
Here's hoping that your uro-gyn can assess what's going on with your bladder (due to a prolapsed uterus, for example) and that s/he can provide the relief you need and deserve.
Replies to "@virginiae Such an interesting question. I have an estrogen-related issue which may or may not be..."
virginiae @virginia It feels like a hug to read an email about the bladder issues related to estrogen and breast cancer! I totally understand everything you discussed. I will add this: The minute I started taking anastrozole for breast cancer, here came the vaginal and urogenital issues. As for the vaginal: I used Replens. It was not expensive, had zero estrogen, and worked very well for me. I have been on anastrozole for 2 1/2 years. Then for the UTIs, that's a whole 'nother issue. I have had many, many UTIs, almost one right after another, then a couple of months without, etc. I was with the same Urologist the entire time, and he NEVER solved the problem, and it made me angrier every month. Your post helps tremendously! You are not alone!
Just about 10 days ago, I had surgery for breast cancer. The cancer (4) had been invisible for about 6 months. The excellent surgeon I had said there is absolutely no cancer, We had planned 2 lumpectomies for the 4 locations of cancer. The path report says there is no residual carcinoma identified, and calls it AJCC Pathologic stage of ypTO, meaning that no residual tumor is found after therapy and surgery. You can't even tell by looking that I had surgery on the breast. Surgeon did such a beautiful job collecting tissue and removing clips and stitching me up, you can't even tell I ever had surgery. Such beautiful work, but I'm really sore.
So i have been off anastrozole for that 10 days. I await the onc's instructions about either starting it back up or not. My bones, sleep, vaginal issues, bladder, etc all feel so much better that I dread having to start it up again. As I understand, most docs want you to take it for 5 years, so I will probably be asked to do at least another year and up to an additional 2 1/2 years. I don't know what I will agree to. We're all so different ,really...being post menopausal, can I use that tiny amount of estrogen to help me out or no? We're addressing the bone density and a few other issues, but the side effects are so very ugly mostly.
I guess I just want people to know that the suffering through the side effects of anastrozole for 2 1/2 years paid off, big time, for me. But there are some things that need to be addressed, and just like now..I read where someone else has the UTI problems, so I am not alone and there seems to be a fix for that!
If anyone has anything else to offer, I'm all ears! I'm just so happy to be rid of that cancer for the moment and hopefully forever...I wish everyone the best, and I'm sorry any of us have to go through this! Hugs!
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This is helpful info! I have been on anastrozole for 3 years and have had 5 UTIs in just under 2 years. I'm going to ask my onco doc about estradiol.