Estring Usage
Comments
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Ok, this might make you blush....
I am only 53, but had a total hysterectomy as part of the surgery for my 'other' cancer (rectal). I also had massive amounts (well, 25 days) of radiation to my pelvis. I had quite a time with dryness, to the point of pain during any penetration.
We tried the vaginal lubricants. They helped, but still it was uncomfortable.
Here comes the blushing part:
Now, over 3 years later, I still have trouble if I am not stimulated first by my beau. BUT, if I am, it works fairly well. I also am on top for the beginning, so I have control of the motion and depth.
I do not want to take any hormones, in any form, if not absolutely necessary. I, too, was ER/PR positive. I even watch my soy intake, for some of it contains natural estrogen.
Hope this helps, I don't know anything about the Estring...
Hugs, Kathi0 -
No Blushing RequiredKathiM said:Ok, this might make you blush....
I am only 53, but had a total hysterectomy as part of the surgery for my 'other' cancer (rectal). I also had massive amounts (well, 25 days) of radiation to my pelvis. I had quite a time with dryness, to the point of pain during any penetration.
We tried the vaginal lubricants. They helped, but still it was uncomfortable.
Here comes the blushing part:
Now, over 3 years later, I still have trouble if I am not stimulated first by my beau. BUT, if I am, it works fairly well. I also am on top for the beginning, so I have control of the motion and depth.
I do not want to take any hormones, in any form, if not absolutely necessary. I, too, was ER/PR positive. I even watch my soy intake, for some of it contains natural estrogen.
Hope this helps, I don't know anything about the Estring...
Hugs, Kathi
Thanks for your candor. I really appreciate it. Maybe a few of your tips may work for me. I don't know if this is a topic that is addressed too often on these boards. But, for those of us who have gone through menopause, either surgically or naturally, vaginal dryness and atrophy is a problem. I'll be very interested to see if someone out there knows something about the estring. It sounds wonderful, from what my doctor said. But, breast cancer is NOT wonderful and I don't want to do or take anything that might encourage its return. Thanks a bunch. Hugs, Marilynn0 -
I'll address it. I'llmgm42 said:No Blushing Required
Thanks for your candor. I really appreciate it. Maybe a few of your tips may work for me. I don't know if this is a topic that is addressed too often on these boards. But, for those of us who have gone through menopause, either surgically or naturally, vaginal dryness and atrophy is a problem. I'll be very interested to see if someone out there knows something about the estring. It sounds wonderful, from what my doctor said. But, breast cancer is NOT wonderful and I don't want to do or take anything that might encourage its return. Thanks a bunch. Hugs, Marilynn
I'll address it. I'll probably make the rest of you blush. As for estring, some oncologists are very comfortable with it because the estrogen you get from it stays local. Some women don't want to take the chance even if it's small. I totally understand that. However, everyone I know who uses it (and I know quite a few and they've all had bc) says that it works like nothing else. Lubricants are tricky, you have to keep trying until you find the right one and then use more than it says on the back of the bottle. LOL My personal favorite is Eros. My least favorite is KY. Did nothing for me. Have you thought about replens? Some say it works, some say not. I know a ob/gyn who had estrogen positive breast cancer who uses replens and it works for her.
So... who's reading my post and blushing?
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Blushing???? Us???
I dare say NONE of us is blushing~ and isn't it wonderful that we can actually address these issues here on the boards? We are indeed women, and sexual beings and we need to know what works, what doesn't and why!
I too shy away from anything soy~ tho the medical jury is still out on that. I say better safe than sorry, but as with everything else, it is a personal decision.
I have NO idea why this issue is actually not much an issue for me~ I am 59, post menopausal, was also estrogen positive, and take Arimidex, and rarely if ever am I too dry. Those time that I am, my sweetie ( ok, are you ready???) lubricates himself with his own saliva. He "moistens" his fingers with saliva, rubs himself , and presto! It is a perfect natural lubricant. Believe it or not, I told him about this when I saw an "interview" with some Porn-Star who says they ALL know it is the best lubricant!!!!! I thought, why not? If he's game, go for it! And he was, and it is, etc etc .
I have not heard of anyone using Estring, tho Replense gets good reviews as well...0 -
Estring
I had my chemo at 42 and it stopped my period. I was having dryness and pain in that area. I used replens for months but it didn't help with the discomfort. My gynecologist(with my onc.'s ok) prescribed estring. I had been using it for about 6 months with great success. Then my onc. did bloodwork to test my estrogen(he assumed I was menopausal because I did not have a period in over 2 yrs). My estrogen came back through the roof(990). My gynecologist did an ultrasound and I had a huge mass on my ovary which eventually turned out to be a cyst. They think my ovaries started making estrogen again and combined with the estring, it caused my blood level of estrogen to skyrocket and this caused the cyst. As of now, my estrogen level is still premenopausal but no periods.
Long story short, make sure you are menopausal before using estring. I think that it jumpstarted my ovaries. Or maybe it is all a coincidence and my ovaries just started making estrogen again on their own. My docs say theres no way to know for sure but they say that when I eventually do become menopausal, Estring will not be appropriate for me.
I would suggest that if you do use estring, ask to have your estrogen checked after about 6 months. With that said, it is an amazing product and does eliminate all the annoying symptoms in that "area". Good luck.0 -
one more suggestion...mgm42 said:No Blushing Required
Thanks for your candor. I really appreciate it. Maybe a few of your tips may work for me. I don't know if this is a topic that is addressed too often on these boards. But, for those of us who have gone through menopause, either surgically or naturally, vaginal dryness and atrophy is a problem. I'll be very interested to see if someone out there knows something about the estring. It sounds wonderful, from what my doctor said. But, breast cancer is NOT wonderful and I don't want to do or take anything that might encourage its return. Thanks a bunch. Hugs, Marilynn
The old saying is "use it or lose it". And it's true. The more you do it the better your body will adjust and I am not talking about the dryness. I mean the tightness. Vaginal atrophy is the worst. Pencil it into your schedule as exercise. It is exercise. Just not something you buy a gym membership for. Or maybe it is. No judgement on my part. 0 -
Found a couple more optionsyoung_one said:I'll address it. I'll
I'll address it. I'll probably make the rest of you blush. As for estring, some oncologists are very comfortable with it because the estrogen you get from it stays local. Some women don't want to take the chance even if it's small. I totally understand that. However, everyone I know who uses it (and I know quite a few and they've all had bc) says that it works like nothing else. Lubricants are tricky, you have to keep trying until you find the right one and then use more than it says on the back of the bottle. LOL My personal favorite is Eros. My least favorite is KY. Did nothing for me. Have you thought about replens? Some say it works, some say not. I know a ob/gyn who had estrogen positive breast cancer who uses replens and it works for her.
So... who's reading my post and blushing?
Of course these are in addition to the spit suggestion. And that was Jenna Jamison that said spit was the best lube. However, it was said with the intent of...ahem...encouraging oral sex. LOL Where was I? Oh, Vagifem and Premarin(?) were two others that have been mentioned to me. Creams that you apply 2-3 times per week. Small amount of absorbtion into the system. It's arguable that it is not enough to cause any harm, plus, you can control the dosage. With estring it's inserted for three months at a time.
Back to lube... I would have to say that it is important to use a silicone based lube. A lot of them are sugar based and end up sticky. There is a very popular one out there called "Pink". It comes in a fancy glass pump bottle (disguised as perfume on the dresser),
it is hypo-allergenic, you can also use it like a moisturizer, too, without fear of yeast infections.
www.goodvibes.com has it...and yes, they deliver in nice plain packaging
(but you can still greet the UPS man with an enthusiastic "ALL RIGHT! my lube is here!" if ya wanna)0 -
Marilyn, thanks for writing
Marilyn, thanks for writing such a good post. I must tell you. You echoed my husband's sentiments exactly with your closing words - "Any input would be appreciated, Joyce!". LOL and ready to try some new things (thanks for the suggestions, Young one). love, Joyce0 -
Thanks for your candor
Thanks for your candor Marilynn. Some of us probably had the same issues but felt funny voicing them. It is natural for dryness to occur after menopause. I haven't had any experiences with Estring but will ask my gyno at my next visit. Hugs, Lili
Ps: I'm not blushing. LOL0 -
So funny!Joycelouise said:Marilyn, thanks for writing
Marilyn, thanks for writing such a good post. I must tell you. You echoed my husband's sentiments exactly with your closing words - "Any input would be appreciated, Joyce!". LOL and ready to try some new things (thanks for the suggestions, Young one). love, Joyce
That made me laugh too...but I thought I perhaps should just ignore the Freudian Slip~ or was it????
Hugs,
Claudia0 -
I am laughing soooooo hard...chenheart said:Blush.....
Probably not! I am thinking if I am ALONE in the woods, the advice would be moot, anyway!
Hugs, and thanks for the laughs!
Hugs,
Claudia
But, you do have a point, Claudia!!!
Hugs, Kathi
(note to self: These gals don't have much they blush about...but, then again, think how many times they have had to show nekked breasts to total strangers...)0 -
You're comments make me smileKathiM said:I am laughing soooooo hard...
But, you do have a point, Claudia!!!
Hugs, Kathi
(note to self: These gals don't have much they blush about...but, then again, think how many times they have had to show nekked breasts to total strangers...)
You have all hit the nail on the head (no pun intended). After years of going for yearly humiliation with our GYN's, having baby's and showing our boobies to total strangers during our cancer journey's what is there to be embarassed about??? I am glad I ran across this posting today because I have problems as well. Long story short, I was 38 when I was diagnosed, Lumpectomy (x2) 6 months chemo (ac, taxol) 7 1/2 weeks radiation then 52 weeks Herceptin. Husband and I had great sex life prior to cancer. Then came chemo induced menopause. ALL STOP on the LOVE BOAT...No period for 2 years then all of the sudden it came back. Menopause symptoms subsided but fear set in. Sex drive came back slightly but certainly not like before. Cycles continued for about six months then stopped again. Here comes hot flashes and no desire at all. Six months goes by, I start bleeding again. Now for the past 3 years I am in this cycle of every four months I have a cycle as normal then stop for four months. I am on a continual rollercoster here and I really wish I could jump off. I still do not have the desire I once had and when we do have sex it is uncomfortable for me. Don't get me wrong, my husband and I have a great relationship but it is just not as sexual as it once was. Doctor tells me that my overies are shutting down in this cycle and there really isn't anything we can do about it short of pulling everything out of there. I am afraid to use any kind of estrogen based lube so your other suggestions are good ones. I am very fortunate that I have a very understanding loving husband of 25 years however I think it is totally not fair at the ripe old age of 44 (me) and 46 (him) that this is happening to us. I HATE CANCER. Anyway thanks for listening and thanks for all the good advise I read on here from everyone.0 -
Nekked breastsKathiM said:I am laughing soooooo hard...
But, you do have a point, Claudia!!!
Hugs, Kathi
(note to self: These gals don't have much they blush about...but, then again, think how many times they have had to show nekked breasts to total strangers...)
Does showing our girls to strangers include the inadvertent displays when we do the naked dance??0 -
So, who here has shown them?NorcalJ said:Nekked breasts
Does showing our girls to strangers include the inadvertent displays when we do the naked dance??
So, who here has shown them? Well, I'll go first. I show them to anyone who wants to see. I also let anyone feel them that asks. I currently have expanders in. Most people don't understand the hardness of expanders. I'm not saying I do it in aisle nine of the local grocery store. I am saying that anyone who knows that I had cancer and asks in the right context can see or touch them as long as there is a bathroom available to duck into. Call it education. Someday, someone else will be in my position and they will be scared. If I show them, they will know what to expect if they are faced with this. Besides, the only reaction I have ever gotten was, "WOW, those are way better than I thought they'd be". This is not exactly the compliment I always hoped for regarding my chest but I'll take it. Wait til they're done. They'll really be impressed then. Also, it might be just that I don't even think of them as boobs. They're not really part of me so I am not shy. Don't know. But I have been thanked by many.0 -
Hummmmm....NorcalJ said:Nekked breasts
Does showing our girls to strangers include the inadvertent displays when we do the naked dance??
I don't know...THAT is by choice, the other 'peep shows' are not....this from the gal who left her bra, and her morals, in the Coyote Ugly bar in Nashville...
I am soooooo giggling!!!!!!!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
One of my doctors was impressed...young_one said:So, who here has shown them?
So, who here has shown them? Well, I'll go first. I show them to anyone who wants to see. I also let anyone feel them that asks. I currently have expanders in. Most people don't understand the hardness of expanders. I'm not saying I do it in aisle nine of the local grocery store. I am saying that anyone who knows that I had cancer and asks in the right context can see or touch them as long as there is a bathroom available to duck into. Call it education. Someday, someone else will be in my position and they will be scared. If I show them, they will know what to expect if they are faced with this. Besides, the only reaction I have ever gotten was, "WOW, those are way better than I thought they'd be". This is not exactly the compliment I always hoped for regarding my chest but I'll take it. Wait til they're done. They'll really be impressed then. Also, it might be just that I don't even think of them as boobs. They're not really part of me so I am not shy. Don't know. But I have been thanked by many.
He said "WOW! those are gorgeous!"
I had implants back 20 years ago...above muscle...double edged sword...the good news:the tumor's back margin was the capsule for the implant (it couldn't invade to the chest wall), the bad news: it made diagnosis a bit harder...few wanted to risk a needle biopsy that might puncture the implant...
This doctor was a breast surgeon I was referred to to check out my 9-year-old lump. He leaned toward doing nothing, since he said the only way to test the lump was to put a 2 inch incision in my breast and remove the lump. That was 2 YEARS before it was then diagnosed as cancerous...one of the decisions I regret, to this day....
Hugs, Kathi0 -
Prior to getting my own mas.young_one said:So, who here has shown them?
So, who here has shown them? Well, I'll go first. I show them to anyone who wants to see. I also let anyone feel them that asks. I currently have expanders in. Most people don't understand the hardness of expanders. I'm not saying I do it in aisle nine of the local grocery store. I am saying that anyone who knows that I had cancer and asks in the right context can see or touch them as long as there is a bathroom available to duck into. Call it education. Someday, someone else will be in my position and they will be scared. If I show them, they will know what to expect if they are faced with this. Besides, the only reaction I have ever gotten was, "WOW, those are way better than I thought they'd be". This is not exactly the compliment I always hoped for regarding my chest but I'll take it. Wait til they're done. They'll really be impressed then. Also, it might be just that I don't even think of them as boobs. They're not really part of me so I am not shy. Don't know. But I have been thanked by many.
Prior to getting my own mas. I thought that a mas. scar would look like a huge skinned knee on the chest. Like maybe they removed the breast with an earth scraper, or like a roast that is being sliced. So I show my scar to lots of people (and a few men!) I don't want people to be so afraid, and I don't want them to think I am grossly disfigured. Its just gone, thats all. Maybe its weird, but signing up as a poster girl makes me feel in control and in possession. When I get my expander and implant I will probably be showing that off too! Thanks for writing. Lets make mountains out of molehills! love, Joyce0 -
Bra-Humbug!KathiM said:Hummmmm....
I don't know...THAT is by choice, the other 'peep shows' are not....this from the gal who left her bra, and her morals, in the Coyote Ugly bar in Nashville...
I am soooooo giggling!!!!!!!
Hugs, Kathi
Showing my breasts??? Hmmmm, being as I didn't even KNOW about reconstruction~ no one ever mentioned it to me, neither my GP, nor my surgeon, nor my oncologist, the only ppl who now ever see me sans bra are these self same health-care professionals. And I don't give a hoot what they think about my scarred, sunken breast!!!! My sweetie doesn't make me feel anything but beautiful, but I am uncomfortable with how I look post surgery, so nope~ being as even I don't want to see the "evidence", no one else gets to either!
Hugs,
Claudia0
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