Vaginal Dialators after Pelvic Radiation for anal cancer

geneviasue said:

Barb and Others - My Experience and What has Helped Me

Hello ladies,

I was a Sept 2012 diagnosis, Oct, Nov, Dec treatment. I had the worst time with the labia sticking too. I also have the 6 size dialator set that I use but not as often as I should. Two things that really helped me. I went to a female urologist because of a bladder issue and she connected me with a doctor specializing in female sexual wellness and is nothing like a GYN. That doctor recommended womens health physical therapy which has been such a blessing. It's not like any other physical therapy you've ever expericenced. The therapist worked 45 min a week on my vaginal walls and vaginal opening..stretching it, holding pressure in key areas and really helped me understand what my body had just experienced with the radiation treatments. I learned that my muscles were basically dealing with post traumatic stress. When I would sit too long, or use the dialator, or even think about sex those same muscles would tighten up as a reflex or fear of possible trauma. Just understanding my muscle structure and tissue problems really helped me so much. Plus, the therapy itself was amazing. I'm done now after 8 weeks but so grateful. Sex? My husband and I finally did last month on our anniversary, 5 months post treatment. It did hurt but it had been so long that it didn't last too long (hehe..thank goodness ) I didn't have any pain afterwards though which I was thankful for. My female wellness doctor also prescribed a susp that is basically a vaginal valium. I've not used one yet but I have them just in case. The other thing that has really helped is coconut oil, pressed. You find it in the cooking oil section at most grogery stores. My female wellness doctor said I should have never used Aquaphor (that's just me though..not a statement for the general public) because it contains petroleium which is a drying agent and she assured me that I was never able to get it all off during my treatments so it acted as a skillet for the radiation to burn me even more. I deal with lots of hip pain now and quick "got to go now" bowels. I still have the vaginal opening stiffness too but its improving. Oh, and my 6 month follow up appointments show I'm still cancer free. Praise the Lord!! Take care everyone and hope this helps someone.

I have not had sex since trying to in January. We have only had the nerve twice in two years. I use my dilators without discomfort but I think the vaginal valium may be something I will inquire about. Evidently there is still a lot of "fight or flight" going on in my vaginal walls and I have had to cope with genital lymphedema, which I have gathered some confidence in my skill the therapists taught me to control.

My regimine is this. I use my dilator every night. I use Vagifem twice per week, vitamin E suppositories every night, I use coconut oil and vitamin e oil and cover those oils with aquaphor to seal them in all over my private parts and back to the peri anal area. My skin is doing much, much better. I also use a vaginal moisturizer lubricant suppository every night. This is in addition to giving myself a Manual Lymphatic drainage massage all over my whole body! I never dreamed it would ever take so much time to take care of myself. I still don't floss every day, but I have learned to do these things.

My husband and I have some personal issues to work through but I am hoping there will still be a chance for more starry nights.

Thanks again for your information.

Sincerely,

Sandy