Let's Talk about Sex, Babee (Salt N' Pepa)

Did your doctor give you a
Did your doctor give you a vaginal dilator? During radiation, the vagina can atrophy (or shrink) both in width and length. A vaginal dilator is used to open it back up, making sex possible again. Now, I have to be honest with you, I've used a vaginal dilator for almost 2 years now and have been able to go up a couple of sizes, but sex is still uncomfortable for me. Topical estrogen creams can help, along with OTC Replens, to make the vagina more elastic and less dry. The dilator, to be most effective, has to be used on a regular basis with plenty of lubricant. I would suggest you ask your doctor about one, or they can be ordered in a set online. If you need more info about where to order them, I'd be happy to provide. Resuming sex after this treatment can take some effort, but it's very possible, so please don't get discouraged.

cujuja4evr said:

So, it wasn't a dumb question afterall!
I thought for sure someone would think that I was crazy to even be thinking about sex especially after everything that I've been through. Believe me, sex is something I'm definitely not planning on having any time soon. My new skin is still real sensitive and skin is still forming so I'm not going to mess anything up. But, sorry if TMI, but when I put my finger right at the vaginal opening, I can't even get the tip of my finger in. It really feels as if it's closed pretty tight. Who do I talk to? My GYN? I went to her once before because the radiation had caused the labia to completely fuse together. My husband and I had the unpleasure of separating it ourselves and the only way I can describe it is unpeeling velcro. On top of everything else I was going through, this was awful! It's bad enough that I had to have emergency surgery to have my urethra dialated because it closed and I had to have a foley catheter in for 3 weeks. I'm really nervous now. My GYN had scheduled me to have a PAP in September. Do you think that maybe too soon? Should I speak to my radiologist or oncolist about this before I see the GYN. I tell you, if it's not one thing...it's something else.

There are no "dumb" ESPCIALLY on this site.
i WAS GIVE THE dILAOR YOU SPOKE AND THE CORRECT MANNER in which to use it.IN my case I did ) times. I am somewhat sexually active 1-2 wkly less if theres no preesure.....I do not aue my dialotor mostly I forget. I live in a Boardung House of sort.Men, women,a 2 yr old..so privacy is out of the question. What did help the most was inserting it before I shower or bathed.Moist body.... Hope this helps in some smll way.GOD will make A WAY. He always does Has so far, right? Till Then God Speed.I wouls
d welcome any response not use it (-

cujuja4evr said:

So, it wasn't a dumb question afterall!
I thought for sure someone would think that I was crazy to even be thinking about sex especially after everything that I've been through. Believe me, sex is something I'm definitely not planning on having any time soon. My new skin is still real sensitive and skin is still forming so I'm not going to mess anything up. But, sorry if TMI, but when I put my finger right at the vaginal opening, I can't even get the tip of my finger in. It really feels as if it's closed pretty tight. Who do I talk to? My GYN? I went to her once before because the radiation had caused the labia to completely fuse together. My husband and I had the unpleasure of separating it ourselves and the only way I can describe it is unpeeling velcro. On top of everything else I was going through, this was awful! It's bad enough that I had to have emergency surgery to have my urethra dialated because it closed and I had to have a foley catheter in for 3 weeks. I'm really nervous now. My GYN had scheduled me to have a PAP in September. Do you think that maybe too soon? Should I speak to my radiologist or oncolist about this before I see the GYN. I tell you, if it's not one thing...it's something else.

Certainly not a dumb question
I'm so glad you have an understanding husband to help you through this. I know how you feel about if it's not one thing it's something else. I'm a 61 year old who's 3 yrs out of treatment. I wish I had used the dilators earlier. No one told me about them until the damage was done. I think if you can use them during treatment you should. I got a normal Pap smear about a year ago. I went for one this March and they couldn't even do one and had to get a ultra sound instead. The GYN gave me Premarin and told me to use with dilators 2x a week. So far the opening is maybe 4". I wasn't too concerned right after treatment because I had no partner. But don't wait!!! Now I have one and at first sex was ok & didn't hurt. But last time it didn't hurt either but I bled all over. So do whatever you have to do to keep your vagina open. I'm guessing since anal cancer is rare that is why there is so much confusing and differing info. One doctor says one thing and another says totally the opposite.

Post pelvic radiation vaginal complications
I had a completely fused vagina and it happened within about 6-8 weeks after having a D&C about 6 months after treatment ended. The D&C was to check for any more "suspicious for cancer" cells which had been found as I started regimen for anal cancer. Fortunately, there was no evidence of problem but doc told me I might bleed a bit more than usual after the D&C because he had found a lot of adhesion. But then no one suggested use of dilators and when my husband finally was ready to try again (he has a fear of radiation), like Martha, you couldn't get a pinky in and there was no opening at all.

I have been using dilators also and made some progress though not exactly success. I would definitely get dilators and use them as soon as possible. I have rather angrily told all my doctors that this should be part of the regular protocol for women!!!!@!!! Please all women be sure to discuss this with your team of docs!

cujuja4evr said:

Great Advice
Well, I'm gonna have to get a dialator because when husband did a little probing down there (at my request just to see if things felt different) he said that it felt as if everything had closed up and nothing was going to fit in there. Would I need to check with my GYN? It almost sounds like it would be painful just using the dialator! I don't know if I'm looking forward to this or not. But, I have such a great husband and we have abstained from sex for almost 4 months now. He understands that I'm in recovery and he's extremely patient, but at the same time, I would want us to get back to as close to normal as possible.

Definitely see gyno and rad onc
They will get you started. I hope moving quickly will help you get better results faster!
Priscilla

cujuja4evr said:

Great Advice
Well, I'm gonna have to get a dialator because when husband did a little probing down there (at my request just to see if things felt different) he said that it felt as if everything had closed up and nothing was going to fit in there. Would I need to check with my GYN? It almost sounds like it would be painful just using the dialator! I don't know if I'm looking forward to this or not. But, I have such a great husband and we have abstained from sex for almost 4 months now. He understands that I'm in recovery and he's extremely patient, but at the same time, I would want us to get back to as close to normal as possible.

Gyn doctor
I would go to your gyn doctor - he/she will understand the situation. Mine prescribed the premarin cream. talked to me about types of lubricants (use the silicone - it doesn't dry out) and was very supportive of me.

cujuja4evr said:

Good Luck!
My GYN had me scheduled for a PAP in September and I know that she won't even be able to get a speculum in there. The tip of my finger can't even get in there - good luck! I may have to schedule an earlier appt with her to discuss the dialator and maybe I'll have to prepare before I get the PAP. I'll ask about the premarin cream, too. Thanks!

cujuja4evr
Hi, Could you see if you could get dialators from the radiologist. They come in small, med, and large, and you have to use a lubricant with them. I was given a medium by my radiologist, and initially I used it 2 times a week. Now I have'nt been consistant, but do try to use it when I think about it. I have had a pap smear and exam, and the PA had no problem feeling my ovarys, and it wasn't painful at all. I need to use it more consistantly and this is a good reminder for me. Lori

cujuja4evr said:

Good Luck!
My GYN had me scheduled for a PAP in September and I know that she won't even be able to get a speculum in there. The tip of my finger can't even get in there - good luck! I may have to schedule an earlier appt with her to discuss the dialator and maybe I'll have to prepare before I get the PAP. I'll ask about the premarin cream, too. Thanks!

dilators
My oncologist gave me my set of dilators. Just wish I had gotten them sooner. Does anyone know if there is an operation if these don't work? My GYN said my vagina is fused to my colon. So don't know if using these dilators are suppose to re open my vagina or just stretch what little I have. I go back in a couple of months and so far it isn't stretching. Sue I'm glad you are back to normal.

CharlotteW said:

dilators
My oncologist gave me my set of dilators. Just wish I had gotten them sooner. Does anyone know if there is an operation if these don't work? My GYN said my vagina is fused to my colon. So don't know if using these dilators are suppose to re open my vagina or just stretch what little I have. I go back in a couple of months and so far it isn't stretching. Sue I'm glad you are back to normal.

sex post treament
Just like treatment affects every body differently, so goes post sex. My husband and I actually prayed about this one alot throughout treatment because we are very close and didn't want to lose our sexual relationship, and a lot of what I read wasn't encouraging. I did get a dilator from my radiologist and used it about 5 times. In hindsight, I don't feel my gynecologist or radiologist really knew anything more than what we read on this board, again, everyone is different and they of course don't really know case to case, but one way of their tracking "what happened during our treatment" is their asking about our sex lives (anyway my doctors always ask). We didn't attempt intercourse until about 2 months post treatment. I had a lot of anxiety. In the beginning it was painful and we used a lubricant for awhile. My husband said he didn't feel anything different, but I sure did. It felt very tight and hurt. However I continue to persevere, and now it is not really painful, 3 months after first having sex again. I may be going thru early onset menopause from treatment (I'm 46), so until that is identified I may not be a great gauge as I note that I'm not always as "in the mood" as I used to be. However, like yours, my husband is awesome and he truly lived his marriage vow to love me in sickness and in health-he served me well and I want to serve him by persevering thru the pain - a glass of wine helps me relax. We don't need lubricant anymore but I do continue to bleed after and there is what feels and looks like scar tissue breaking down when I urinate. However, this is less and less. Going thru cancer was a fight, and I believe like another poster alluded, God will help our bodies fight through all the post issues like sex. All in all it has brought us closer. There will be "new norms" for all of us post cancer, and although sex may never entirely be what it used to be, I have all Hope things will work out for good in the end. On a positive note, I am entirely freer, more comfortable with my body and much much less obsessed with how I look, probably because I am just so dang glad to be Alive! Stay thankful for every day and try not to dwell or put on a pedestal "how it used to be". Embrace the changes for what they are today, remain hopeful and prayerful, and persevere even if its painful at first. God bless you!