Hormone vaginal meds?

Posted by frogjumper @frogjumper, Jun 21, 2023

So, I am very strong staining ER/PR + HER2 negative breast cancer. Stage 1 Grade 1 chose to not use hormones and radiation and had a lumpectomy alone as treatment.
For years before my diagnosis in November I used Vagifem and had no problems. Was told I had to quit using it so I did and since January I have had 2 UTI's and now off and on burning and itching. I believe my vagina is screaming it's unhappy. I've OTC tried Hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin E suppositories, and silicone lubricant and so far none have worked like Vagifem.
So my question is I know Vagifem has a breast cancer link but what about Premarin or Estring or some of the other RX meds.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

I am not a doctor so you should vet this recommendation with a professional, but for lubrication and overall comfort from dryness, organic coconut oil seems to be a possible solution. It comes in a jar and is usually fairly solid unless stored in a warm room. It would not alter anything hormonally, just provide relief from dryness. Ask your gynecologist please.

Best Wishes,
Cindy

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I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 1, grade 1, ER/PR+, HER2 negative. I am 71 years old and used HRT for 20 years. I did my research way back when I started taking HRT and a lot of the research was small groups and went both ways as to whether it caused cancer or not so I chose to take it. I alternated between compounded & pharmaceuticals for 20 years & got regular mammograms & gyno appointments. This last mamo showed a tiny spot that was cancerous (after biopsy). I had a lumpectomy & 5 small targeted radiation treatments since mine was invasive (outside the duct). I am not going to do the pill protocol as my cancer is very slow growing & I am weaning off of the HRT which fueled my ER/PR tumor…my choice due to the side effects. These decisions we have to make for ourselves are extremely hard and mentally taxing to say the least and depending on your age…we’ll, it’s just hard to know if you have chosen the right door. It’s all subjective and such a personal decision. Research, research, research and keep questioning & questioning and hopefully you will reach a decision that fits YOU. I think we all continue to question our decisions no matter what direction we take and talk with other women like you are doing. I made my decision after much research and then had to shut my mind off of it. I wish you the best of luck in making your decision. I read & wrap my loving arms around everyone that posts on this site. Sending out healing vibes to all ❤️

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I had the same issue a few months back , had consulted my gynecologist and he suggested me V Gel on the lip of vagina and a dusting powder to be put in surrounding groin areas.
I got very good relief within a week.
I am attaching an image of the medicines , its an Ayurvedic formulation, dont know whether these are avaialable in your country.

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Well since I'm not sure what to do, I've made an appointment with my Gyn. to discuss my options and to be examined. Maybe it's something else? But I have to say my once happy vagina is like screaming HELP!!! My appointment is not until 7/31 but whatever I find out I will make sure to come back and share any pearls of wisdom she has for me.

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@queenofjacks

I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 1, grade 1, ER/PR+, HER2 negative. I am 71 years old and used HRT for 20 years. I did my research way back when I started taking HRT and a lot of the research was small groups and went both ways as to whether it caused cancer or not so I chose to take it. I alternated between compounded & pharmaceuticals for 20 years & got regular mammograms & gyno appointments. This last mamo showed a tiny spot that was cancerous (after biopsy). I had a lumpectomy & 5 small targeted radiation treatments since mine was invasive (outside the duct). I am not going to do the pill protocol as my cancer is very slow growing & I am weaning off of the HRT which fueled my ER/PR tumor…my choice due to the side effects. These decisions we have to make for ourselves are extremely hard and mentally taxing to say the least and depending on your age…we’ll, it’s just hard to know if you have chosen the right door. It’s all subjective and such a personal decision. Research, research, research and keep questioning & questioning and hopefully you will reach a decision that fits YOU. I think we all continue to question our decisions no matter what direction we take and talk with other women like you are doing. I made my decision after much research and then had to shut my mind off of it. I wish you the best of luck in making your decision. I read & wrap my loving arms around everyone that posts on this site. Sending out healing vibes to all ❤️

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I had DCIS EST+/PR+ last November and had a lumpectomy and 5 days of radiation. The doctors told me to stop my HRT which I did reluctantly and take Tamoxifen which I refused. I am frustrated because I can't sleep anymore and really miss my hormones. I am thinking about taking them again because it has not been proven that HRT causes DCIS.
I would love to talk to you and discuss how you are doing. Any chance that you could call me? Thank you!! Carole

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@carolelegrain

I had DCIS EST+/PR+ last November and had a lumpectomy and 5 days of radiation. The doctors told me to stop my HRT which I did reluctantly and take Tamoxifen which I refused. I am frustrated because I can't sleep anymore and really miss my hormones. I am thinking about taking them again because it has not been proven that HRT causes DCIS.
I would love to talk to you and discuss how you are doing. Any chance that you could call me? Thank you!! Carole

Jump to this post

Carole, I miss my HRT too. I don’t know if that’s what caused my cancer, but since it was ER/PR+ the hormones will fuel this type of cancer. I’m am weening off my hormones gradually instead of cold turkey & started doing water aerobics & stretching exercises along with a cold plunge and all of this seems to be helping me along. It seems like there is not a one size fits all remedy. I actually originally did not want to do anything since my cancer was so tiny & slow growing but since it was invasive & not in situ I did the 5 radiation treatments. I go back for my oncologist appointment next month & will see what she says & go from there. Best of luck or you & all of us. Just keep researching.

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@carolelegrain

I had DCIS EST+/PR+ last November and had a lumpectomy and 5 days of radiation. The doctors told me to stop my HRT which I did reluctantly and take Tamoxifen which I refused. I am frustrated because I can't sleep anymore and really miss my hormones. I am thinking about taking them again because it has not been proven that HRT causes DCIS.
I would love to talk to you and discuss how you are doing. Any chance that you could call me? Thank you!! Carole

Jump to this post

Hello @carolelegrain, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @queenofjacks and others. You will notice that we have removed your telephone number to protect your privacy since Connect is a public forum available to anyone on the Internet. Members who wish to share personal contact information can safely do that using the private message feature of Connect. Just click on the members name and go to their profile description. Then click the Send Private Message link at the bottom of their profile description. You can find more step by step help in the Help Center here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/

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@johnbishop

Hello @carolelegrain, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @queenofjacks and others. You will notice that we have removed your telephone number to protect your privacy since Connect is a public forum available to anyone on the Internet. Members who wish to share personal contact information can safely do that using the private message feature of Connect. Just click on the members name and go to their profile description. Then click the Send Private Message link at the bottom of their profile description. You can find more step by step help in the Help Center here - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/help-center/

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@carolelegrain @queenofjacks You may notice Carole that you cannot initiate private messages yet. Mayo Clinic Connect allows a person to post links in their messages and use private messaging after you’ve been here for a few days. This is done to prevent spam.

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@queenofjacks

Carole, I miss my HRT too. I don’t know if that’s what caused my cancer, but since it was ER/PR+ the hormones will fuel this type of cancer. I’m am weening off my hormones gradually instead of cold turkey & started doing water aerobics & stretching exercises along with a cold plunge and all of this seems to be helping me along. It seems like there is not a one size fits all remedy. I actually originally did not want to do anything since my cancer was so tiny & slow growing but since it was invasive & not in situ I did the 5 radiation treatments. I go back for my oncologist appointment next month & will see what she says & go from there. Best of luck or you & all of us. Just keep researching.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your response. It seems that everyone is a different case, I will continue to research. Carole

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I had a lot of difficulty with UTI due to vaginal dryness. Four years ago, my urologist prescribed rubbing a pea-sized portion of chemical-free coconut oil on my vagina several times a day . She also recommended taking 6 aloe vera capsules from Desert Harvest daily. It worked beautifully. Now I simply use the coconut oil each morning and take just 2 aloe vera capsules. I have not had a single UTI since. If you do go this route, be sure the coconut oil is clean enough to be used for cooking. Good luck!

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