Forum Discussion
Everything is shrinking!
I haven't been here for a while and thought this would be a good place for advice. Its 4 years since diagnosed with BC and 2.5 years post treatment.
I have been so focused on my general health, resuming work and looking after sick elderly parents that I have neglected my sexual health.
Basically everything is shrinking (except for my waistline). 56 and post menopause, sex is very painful. I've been using Yes moisturiser and lubricant and not able to use any hormone treatments.
My question is does anyone have experience using vaginal dilator therapy and physio?
I think I'll need to see a gynaecologist at some point after the holiday period.
Thanks in advance.
CB
I have been so focused on my general health, resuming work and looking after sick elderly parents that I have neglected my sexual health.
Basically everything is shrinking (except for my waistline). 56 and post menopause, sex is very painful. I've been using Yes moisturiser and lubricant and not able to use any hormone treatments.
My question is does anyone have experience using vaginal dilator therapy and physio?
I think I'll need to see a gynaecologist at some point after the holiday period.
Thanks in advance.
CB
34 Replies
- I am aware of the change and will look into it but not sure how relevant it is - knowing I have HPV may not be helpful (if I have, 80% of women may have it - and may have it clear naturally - over their lives!) if we still have to do the same tests on collected cells to see if I actually have cancer or not. Sexually transmitted anything is less likely over the past few years also!! : )
- Always good to be prepared @primek! @Afraser - do you know that they are changing the pap smear as they are now looking for evidence of the virus - not sure if that will change things for you and how the test is done.
- I am using aci-gel. Saw similar products on American BC website and they were saying it was safe but I havent actually checked. active ingredients are
acetic acid + hydroxyquinoline + ricinoleic acid
It has been a godsend for me as I was beginning to feel washed up and disheartened. I had no chemo, but serious natural menopause problems and i had ER+ bc. Apparently restores acid balance working well so far. :) :) - Apart from sex, vaginal atrophy makes it pretty impossible for me to have a pap smear - inconclusive readings. I have been having ultrasounds instead, but of course that can't track any cell changes. "At my age" I am not supposed to need pap smears any more, but it's been a comforting thing to have the all clear in the past. "At my age" atrophy could have happened anyway, but going from normal to extremely painful vaginal intercourse in 6 months seems relatively conclusive to me. My partner and I are OK and adapting, but like Marg I find lotions and such irredeemably messy, and personally I'm not having laser treatment without some extremely good results about efficacy and safety first!
- Once I'd recovered from taxol I haven't found any difference in dryness from aramatose inhibitor than menopause caused. @Sister. I take my lube on every trip just in case.
- Natural menopause is hard enough to deal with - not sure if I'm ready for what follows treatment. I would be interested to hear about anything, too.
- If you qualify for the clinical trial and live in Sydney it shouldn't cost you anything.
- Thanks for the link. Sounds expensive. I'll try the less invasive treatment first. Xx
- Also they were doing some clinical trials to see if this helped. Not sure if you saw this.
http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/17608/new-australian-monalisa-touchtm-clinical-trial#latest - I had a feeling it might've been but nobody talks about it! Not one of my doctors have mentioned anything about sexual health to me over the years.
