Arimidex and side effects

I recently started arimidex - three weeks in, no real side effects. I am watching myself carefully and hoping for the best for you

This is good info from ACOG, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
“Why does estrogen loss cause UTIs? Estrogen helps tissues in your vagina and urethra stay elastic and moist. Estrogen loss can thin these tissues and cause dryness, irritation, and other changes that set the stage for UTIs.

For example, estrogen loss weakens the muscles of your urethra. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter your urethra and move up to your bladder.

Estrogen also raises the level of healthy bacteria that normally live in your vagina and bladder. Healthy bacteria help fight off infection-causing bacteria. After menopause, low estrogen means you have less healthy bacteria to help prevent infections.”

AIs leave us with no, or almost none, estrogen. It is very unfortunate when specialists only look at the top, highest frequency, side effects that are listed by the manufacturer.

Link to article:
https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/utis-after-menopause-why-theyre-common-and-what-to-do-about-them#:~:text=Why%20does%20estrogen%20loss%20cause,the%20muscles%20of%20your%20urethra.

I had read this as well and mentioned this to my Oncologist but he laughed and said it had nothing to do with it.
Thank you for your reply.

I’m wondering if taking probiotics would help prevent these infections for those of us with low estrogen.

Did you use ARIMIDIX ( brand) or generics ? I had no UTI for 18 mos on generic but one since starting brand 2 mos ago. But the urine culture detected E. coli so I don’t think the medication was involved. All AI’s cause vaginal tissue thinning and drying so more susceptible to bacteria infiltration. I use a vaginal/vulvar moisturizer now.

I will continue to take the meds and I feel safer regarding possibility of recurrence.

Best to you.

I used the generic brand. I would take medication for my UTI’s and completed it and within a week or two, another UTI would start again.
It was never ending.

Stopping the Arimidex, stopped the UTI’s and having my Oncologist laughing at me when I mentioned the constant UTI’s and made me feel like an idiot so I had to find out myself and stopped the Arimidex.
It was awful and trying to get someone to listen but no one ever would.

Try non estrogen vaginal moisturizers and if that doesn’t help ask the oncologist if a VERY LOW estrogen vaginal cream might be ok for you. It generally stays local I’m told.

I am so sorry to hear of your awful experience with your doctor. Having an oncologist who laughs at your side effects from Arimidex is unfeeling, infuriating and highly unprofessional. Never let a doctor make you feel like an idiot. You know your body better than anyone else. Many studies have shown that lack of estrogen can cause UTIs.
I had MANY side effects from anastrozole causing a very poor quality of life. My oncologist only acknowledged 2 of them, one of which was severe depression. She said they were pre-existing conditions and not caused by the aromatase inhibitor. Interestingly, all of my side effects, including the depression, went away after stopping anastrozole. Needless to say, I am now seeing an oncologist who does not deny known side effects. He also listens and responds with insight and compassion. Breast cancer has taught me to get a second opinion and never stay with a doctor who dismisses my concerns.
I wish you well. 💕

Thank you much.
Hopefully this will be my last year seeing this Oncologist.
If it reoccurs, I will be switching to an oncologist that has a professional and caring heart.