Vagifem use and what helps vaginal dryness

Posted by colely @colely, Apr 13, 2023

Has anyone been told by their gynecologist that they can safely use this product? My oncologist told me to ask my Gyn. My gynecologist refused to prescribe it after my mastectomy. Nothing she recommended works. I've seen different views on the safety of this product. I am ER+ HER2-.

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@semurrey

I'm trying AH! Yes Vaginal Moist and Lubricant - handy little tubes - my onoc recommended. Helping maybe a little - But honestly still not easy to have intercourse as painful- at 57 yrs and kind of feel bad for my understanding hubby - Letrozole has just stripped me of any "interest" but only been on for 10 weeks - hoping for improvement.

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Tamoxifen does help with sexual feelings, but not vaginal problems. Dr. Kristi Funk says Organic soy products are fine, and block " bad estrogen " and allow some estrogen to help the woman's body.

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@semurrey

I'm trying AH! Yes Vaginal Moist and Lubricant - handy little tubes - my onoc recommended. Helping maybe a little - But honestly still not easy to have intercourse as painful- at 57 yrs and kind of feel bad for my understanding hubby - Letrozole has just stripped me of any "interest" but only been on for 10 weeks - hoping for improvement.

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I have been using Ah! Yes products. I use the vaginal moisturizer every 2-3 days . Then I use the lubricant also when my husband and I have intercourse. It is not perfect, but it has really helped.

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I am a breast cancer survivor and nothing seems to work. I presently am using the lowest dose of vaginal estrace that only helps with burning and itching. Has anyone tried Revaree vaginal inserts. I am on tamoxifen and have had a total hysterectomy. Nothing seems to work for me

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Well I visited my GYN this past Monday and she was quite upset that the oncologist told me to get off of Vagifem. My Dr. also said that ACOG says it's OK to use post breast cancer. For the record I've tried, Vitamin E suppositories, Hyaluronic acid, olive oil, coconut oil, and silicone lubricant.

Fast forward to today I got my PAP results back and they came back basically normal (Endocervical and/or squamous metaplastic cells)but noted blood and also the exam itself was painful something that has never happened before.
My vagina is so incredibly unhappy, 2 UTI"s one case of cystitis and a burning sensation when urinating that sometimes makes me want to throw ice on it.

At this point, I am asking for the RX and will begin taking it again. My thoughts are taking the estrogen cream and using tiny amounts. My sister uses a one month tube over a period of 4-6 months so I know I can use trace amounts and probably get the same results. Or using Vagifem (I have probably a 9 month supply here at home) once weekly instead of twice. I'm willing to experiment 🙂 but I however am not willing to deal with these issues in perpetuity and possibly getting worse.

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@frogjumper

Well I visited my GYN this past Monday and she was quite upset that the oncologist told me to get off of Vagifem. My Dr. also said that ACOG says it's OK to use post breast cancer. For the record I've tried, Vitamin E suppositories, Hyaluronic acid, olive oil, coconut oil, and silicone lubricant.

Fast forward to today I got my PAP results back and they came back basically normal (Endocervical and/or squamous metaplastic cells)but noted blood and also the exam itself was painful something that has never happened before.
My vagina is so incredibly unhappy, 2 UTI"s one case of cystitis and a burning sensation when urinating that sometimes makes me want to throw ice on it.

At this point, I am asking for the RX and will begin taking it again. My thoughts are taking the estrogen cream and using tiny amounts. My sister uses a one month tube over a period of 4-6 months so I know I can use trace amounts and probably get the same results. Or using Vagifem (I have probably a 9 month supply here at home) once weekly instead of twice. I'm willing to experiment 🙂 but I however am not willing to deal with these issues in perpetuity and possibly getting worse.

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Hi. Sounds good. Please keep me updated. I dread my Gynecological exam this month. 😫 It is going to be hell.

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My vaginal dryness was painfully extreme, yet I was afraid to use any form of estrogen even in small amounts. Fortunately, I switched urologists. She recommended taking six Desert Harvest aloe vera capsules daily and rubbing pea-sized amounts of organic virgin coconut oil on my vagina several times a day. That was three years ago. I’ve now reduced the aloe vera capsules to 2 per day and I just use the coconut oil each morning before dressing, only repeating the usage if I’ve had sex. The results have been amazing. I’ve had no pain since and have not even seen a pink stain on my underwear. Be sure to use coconut oil that’s pure enough to be used in cooking. I use Kirkland.Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in the 84 fl oz size.

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@frogjumper

Well I visited my GYN this past Monday and she was quite upset that the oncologist told me to get off of Vagifem. My Dr. also said that ACOG says it's OK to use post breast cancer. For the record I've tried, Vitamin E suppositories, Hyaluronic acid, olive oil, coconut oil, and silicone lubricant.

Fast forward to today I got my PAP results back and they came back basically normal (Endocervical and/or squamous metaplastic cells)but noted blood and also the exam itself was painful something that has never happened before.
My vagina is so incredibly unhappy, 2 UTI"s one case of cystitis and a burning sensation when urinating that sometimes makes me want to throw ice on it.

At this point, I am asking for the RX and will begin taking it again. My thoughts are taking the estrogen cream and using tiny amounts. My sister uses a one month tube over a period of 4-6 months so I know I can use trace amounts and probably get the same results. Or using Vagifem (I have probably a 9 month supply here at home) once weekly instead of twice. I'm willing to experiment 🙂 but I however am not willing to deal with these issues in perpetuity and possibly getting worse.

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My GYN also told me estrogen cream would be helpful (even after lumpectomy, radiation for ILC, 58 yrs) with my horrible dryness not matter how many OTC moisturizers I use (Ah! did nothing but best was CVS Replens). I'm going back on it as intercourse so painful. Also soybeans etc I love but do very little for dryness. Kristi Funk is excellent resource, Pink Lotus.
Hang in there and keep sharing..xoox

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@semurrey

I'm trying AH! Yes Vaginal Moist and Lubricant - handy little tubes - my onoc recommended. Helping maybe a little - But honestly still not easy to have intercourse as painful- at 57 yrs and kind of feel bad for my understanding hubby - Letrozole has just stripped me of any "interest" but only been on for 10 weeks - hoping for improvement.

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@semurrey saw your post of Apr. Just wondering your results using Ah Yes. I just ordered moisturizer & lubricant. TIA

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@tapgirl

My vaginal dryness was painfully extreme, yet I was afraid to use any form of estrogen even in small amounts. Fortunately, I switched urologists. She recommended taking six Desert Harvest aloe vera capsules daily and rubbing pea-sized amounts of organic virgin coconut oil on my vagina several times a day. That was three years ago. I’ve now reduced the aloe vera capsules to 2 per day and I just use the coconut oil each morning before dressing, only repeating the usage if I’ve had sex. The results have been amazing. I’ve had no pain since and have not even seen a pink stain on my underwear. Be sure to use coconut oil that’s pure enough to be used in cooking. I use Kirkland.Organic Virgin Coconut Oil in the 84 fl oz size.

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@tapgirl just for clarification, the aloe Vera capsules help w/ vagina dryness as well as coconut oil? I’m sensitive in my vagina and some products (many that I’ve tried) cause burning sensation as well as uti sometimes.
What kind of timeframe did you start noticing improvement, if you recall. The capsules are spendy, but willing to try. You post sounds very positive. I just ordered Ah Yes! moisturizer & lubricant. I need some help. I have a very understanding husband but I’d love to get some enjoyment too. 😀. TIA

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Yes to both. I had been so dry that I found pools of blood in my urine. It's been a few years so my recall may not be quite accurate. I tried a new urologist - probably because I'd had another infection - so I probably had a round of antibiotics to start me off. For sure, the antibiotics gave me immediate relief, but, once I used the aloe vera and the coconut oil. As I said, I've cut back on the capsules now. For the record, my internist says there's no proof that aloe vera really contributes, but I'm afraid to give up a working combination! Good luck! There's nothing to lose by trying.

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