What Kind of Radiation Did You Get for Your Gynecological Cancer?

I was told that the 2 brachytherapy I am suppose to have after chemo would close up my vagina since not sexual active at present. Just not sure how I feel about this, anyone have any info on this. Any info regarding.

A little research gave me this as it was also mentioned by my doctor-Vaginal stenosis is a recognised toxicity of brachytherapy for the treatment of gynaecological cancer. It can result in long-term sexual dysfunction and painful vaginal examinations; however, it is generally accepted that it may be prevented by regular sexual intercourse or the use of vaginal dilators.

Hi
I was told before my Brachytherapy I would be given a set of tools once I was done with Radiation to use, which would be 5 different sixes and start with the smallest to put in viginia while I was showering the use a different size the next time keep going, but my Radiation Doc said I would not need to use them. That’s all she said and I just finished Radiation and was not sent home with those tools. Wished I could help you out. I never asked her about my vaginia closing up! I go back in 4 months for first check up.

Oh, the guy I saw was who brought the subject up. Asked are you sexually active, when I said no he just plain stated there wasn't going to a vagina left , it would be gone. To be honest started to really bug me. First was told 8 external radiation and 3 brachytherapy and then be told 25 external and 2 brachytherapy. And, vagina not used is gone. Just bothered me greatly.
At least seems there is possibly ways around it. I will probably ask more questions re: when they finish first course of chemo and go on to radiation treatment. Will be requesting more info. I may not be or may never want to be sexually active again but do not think your rights should be gone because of their treatment they have come up with.

My radiation oncologist's team also told me that they would give me vaginal dilators after I have finished vaginal brachytherapy. I'm not sure whether this is out of concern for my future love life, or just because they want to be able to do pelvic exams to monitor for new problems in the future. But for both of those reasons, you're right to ask them about it.

@terradean Did you doctor tell you that "your vagina would close up"? I was told that my vagina would narrow (stenosis) after radiation therapy.

I was told by my doctor to use vaginal moisturizers and a dilator. Radiation does cause a narrowing of the vagina but it does not "close it up". There is some scarring that can occur where the brachytherapy was applied in the vagina. I have followed my doctor's instructions and over time I have used the vaginal moisturizer 2-3 times weekly and the dilator 1-2 times weekly. I can tell the difference over time as my vagina is less sore and I can use the largest dilator.

The reason to do this is that you will need to have pelvic examinations when you come for your followup appointments. You will want those appointments to be as comfortable as possible and to allow your doctor to be able to look at all of your vagina.

Think of this way. You are practicing good vagina health in the same way that you use moisturizers on a regular basis for your skin. I use a daily and nightly moisturizer for my face and use lotion after a shower. I figure now I am doing the same for my vagina.

Does this explanation help?

Thanks, for the thoughts, it just didn't seem right what I was told. Have something to go on now. Feel better with ideas that have been given

@terradean
You might like to check out this discussion. If you scroll down you will see a long post from me with the information on the moisturizers that work for me. These are non-estrogen as I cannot use that anymore because I am an endometrial cancer survivors.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/vaginal-atrophy/

Today, I will have my second brachytherapy treatment (1 more later this week and I will be done). The first one wasn't too bad. On my drive home I had several sharp cramps in my stomach and have had them much more regularly since. I have had stomach issues since beginning the external beam which improved in the 10 day break that I had in between finishing the external beam treatments and beginning the brachytherapy ones.

So today I saw the new radiation Dr., My son was with me so two set of ears. And, lucky me will have 25 external and 2 barchy still in between 3 more chemo. Surprises me chemo people say you could drop the radiation and radiation says could drop the last 3 chemo treatments. Radiation guy said they really do not know alot re: my
treatment plan so feel like guinea pig. He also said if I was younger there would be more to worry about radiation and what long term effects of radiation could cause. He even didn't think I have any worries about bone loss from the radiation.
So, 3rd chemo is Monday. It took longer 2nd time to recover than 1st time so makes me wonder how this time
will affect me. Days 3 & 4 are the worst, but this time bone pain lasted longer, seemed worse. Took Naproxen
3 times this last time to finally be bearable. Fingertips took longer to stop feeling numb also, still are numb at times. My nose seems to be having issues at night. Seems to have blood clot in morning in nostrils. Will see what they say Monday about that.