Libido & Tamoxifen

Yeah Michelle you are so right about the scary stories. At one stage last year I was considering not taking it because I was so worried about all the reported side effects. I think because it's been around for a long time and is widely used, heaps has been written about it. But I think people tend to put stuff up on line when they are having a problem so there are probably lots of people out there, like me, that are pretty much okay with it. I have had some mild hot flushes on it, mainly at night, and sometimes I wonder whether it interferes with my sleep a bit when I wake up really really early. But then I used to do that occasionally before so it's hard to know.  The other thing to keep in mind is that is very effective in preventing recurrence of BC so I'm grateful in a way that it's available to us. Good luck, I hope you don't get any side effects. Janet.

Yeah Michelle you are so right about the scary stories. At one stage last year I was considering not taking it because I was so worried about all the reported side effects. I think because it's been around for a long time and is widely used, heaps has been written about it. But I think people tend to put stuff up on line when they are having a problem so there are probably lots of people out there, like me, that are pretty much okay with it. I have had some mild hot flushes on it, mainly at night, and sometimes I wonder whether it interferes with my sleep a bit when I wake up really really early. But then I used to do that occasionally before so it's hard to know.  The other thing to keep in mind is that is very effective in preventing recurrence of BC so I'm grateful in a way that it's available to us. Good luck, I hope you don't get any side effects. Janet.

Thanks for your comments. It seems with Tamoxifen (or any of the other treatments) you just have to see what the impacts are for you as an individual as the responses seem so individual. Janet I've read a couple of your other posts and it seems that you haven't experienced too many side effects from Tamoxifen?? If so that's good news - there are a few scary stories out there. I'm 48 so I'm hoping I have a similar experience. Michelle

I've been on tamoxifen about 4 months and to be honest I don't think it has made a difference in terms of libido.  Mind you I think mine had dropped away anyway in the past year after all the BC traumas so I'm coming from a low starting point anyway (compared to a few years ago).I think Adean is right in that it's hard to put your finger on exactly what my be the cause of low libido but having a breast chopped off or even just chopped into doesn't exactly make you feel sexy, nor does being bald or feeling like crap because of chemo. I'm getting older too though, 47 now, so maybe my libido would have dropped away anyway at this age with menopause looming.Don't despair though, I think you can rev it up a bit by staying fit and healthy, looking after yourself, setting the mood etc. I'm sure you have your own ideas. Also from what I've read, I think tamoxifen is a lot less likely to kill off libido than the aromatase inhibitors. At least with tamoxifen we still get to retain some estrogen circulating in our bodies. Good luck, Janet.

I've been on tamoxifen about 4 months and to be honest I don't think it has made a difference in terms of libido.  Mind you I think mine had dropped away anyway in the past year after all the BC traumas so I'm coming from a low starting point anyway (compared to a few years ago).I think Adean is right in that it's hard to put your finger on exactly what my be the cause of low libido but having a breast chopped off or even just chopped into doesn't exactly make you feel sexy, nor does being bald or feeling like crap because of chemo. I'm getting older too though, 47 now, so maybe my libido would have dropped away anyway at this age with menopause looming.Don't despair though, I think you can rev it up a bit by staying fit and healthy, looking after yourself, setting the mood etc. I'm sure you have your own ideas. Also from what I've read, I think tamoxifen is a lot less likely to kill off libido than the aromatase inhibitors. At least with tamoxifen we still get to retain some estrogen circulating in our bodies. Good luck, Janet.

I've been on tamoxifen about 4 months and to be honest I don't think it has made a difference in terms of libido.  Mind you I think mine had dropped away anyway in the past year after all the BC traumas so I'm coming from a low starting point anyway (compared to a few years ago).I think Adean is right in that it's hard to put your finger on exactly what my be the cause of low libido but having a breast chopped off or even just chopped into doesn't exactly make you feel sexy, nor does being bald or feeling like crap because of chemo. I'm getting older too though, 47 now, so maybe my libido would have dropped away anyway at this age with menopause looming.Don't despair though, I think you can rev it up a bit by staying fit and healthy, looking after yourself, setting the mood etc. I'm sure you have your own ideas. Also from what I've read, I think tamoxifen is a lot less likely to kill off libido than the aromatase inhibitors. At least with tamoxifen we still get to retain some estrogen circulating in our bodies. Good luck, Janet.

Well if its not a side affect from the tamoxifin i dont know where mine has gone! I love bed for sleeping only .Maybe flew out the door when they did the surgery, If a naked young man {im 52} stood in front of me l  wouldnt bat an eyelid. Id say put on ypur clothes you silly boy.  Now seriously my Dr said it could be the tamoxifen it could be the bog year youve had or your age or who knows. S o you and I are none the wiser, but I thought it was great I wasnt the only oneRegards adean