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

My oncologist suggested a vaginal ring. I wish you the best.

I am in the same boat as you. I have been using estradiol for two months now. It is the only thing that has helped with the vaginal dryness. Uber lube is very god during sex. Best of luck to all of us as we are in this very personal journey together.

I too am using Estradiol as I’ve tried every OTC vaginal moisturizer after being on Letrozole for only a year. Dana Farber recommended and I trust them!

Thank you for your response. How long did it take to work for you?

Thanks for the info. I have heard Dana Farber is very good. It’s so hard to know what to do.

There is other stuff to try that does not have hormones in it. I have tried and it is okay. My oncologist also ok'd me to use the estradiol .0l? Try the one without hormone first. You get at pharmacy no prescription. Run by your oncologist first

Mayo Clinic too
Seems it doesn't cause many issues

I used it for a month before we “tested” it. Not perfect yet but a HUGE improvement for me.

Hey there!
I’m a breast cancer survivor ( estrogen receptive) of 18 years. I also have severe atrophy . I Did chemo, radiation, 5 years of Tamoxifen snd 2 years of Famara.
I tried everything OTC, nothing worked for me. The Estradiol is the only med to give me relief. I’ve been using this cream for 15 years with no issues.
I use a 1/2 gram once every two weeks.
Every 6 months I go for labs to check that the level of estrogen in my body is well below my doctor’s expectation.
All the best🙏🏻

@tres77 I found some info that MIGHT be helpful about Lichen sclerosus. I was researching inflammatory causes for a family member. An article came up today in ScienceDirect, link below, about tryptophan and inflammation, including skin manifestations. I followed that topic down a rabbit hole . . . And came across info that might be helpful to you. However, I’m not a doctor - so please check with someone more knowledgeable than me!

Tryptophan, found in certain foods, is associated with developing eosinophilic fasciitis. Lichen sclerosus and eosinophilic fasciitis are related diseases.
See article:
Lichen sclerosus and eosinophilic fasciitis as manifestations of chronic graft-versus-host disease: expanding the sclerodermoid spectrum
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16198778/

In a quick search, I did not find research directly on tryptophan and lichen sclerosus - doesn’t mean it’s not out there. I just didn’t pursue it very far. But here is an article about a 62 yo female that was taking oral tryptophan and developed eosinophilic fasciitis (which appears to be in the same family as lichen sclerosus). “She received prednisone without benefit but improved after azathioprine treatment was started and L-tryptophan was discontinued.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1004327/#:~:text=As%20products%20containing%20L%2Dtryptophan,toxic%20oil%20syndrome%20are%20noted

I may be on the wrong track, but if it were me, I would check with my dermatologist or PCP about tryptophan’s inflammatory connection to lichen sclerosus. I’d ask about azathioprine treatment, which is used off-label for many skin issues. And, I would try a week of limiting food high in tryptophan.

Foods high in tryptophan:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002332.htm

For anyone else reading this post - there is a connection between arthritis and too much tryptophan. See link below.

ScienceDirect:
https://scitechdaily.com/how-a-common-food-ingredient-can-take-a-wrong-turn-leading-to-arthritis/