I have been on tamoxifen for 2.5 years. I have experienced bad UTI and herpes and wondered if this is linked to lower oestrogen levels. Should I be on a oestrogen pessary to combat it?
I have been on tamoxifen for 2.5 years. I have experienced bad UTI and herpes and wondered if this is linked to lower oestrogen levels. Should I be on a oestrogen pessary to combat it?
Thanks for contacting us here at Macmillan Cancer Support. My name’s Donna and I’m one of the cancer information nurse specialists on the Macmillan support line.
Welcome to our online community, I hope you’re finding it a helpful place to visit.
Tamoxifen works by blocking oestrogen receptors on ER positive breast cancers. However, as well as blocking oestrogen in the cancer cells, it also blocks oestrogen in heathy cells too. The lack of oestrogen to healthy cells like the vaginal tissue and urinary tract, can lead to unwanted side effects such as vaginal dryness and urinary problems. This may be a contributing factor to your bad UTI’s.
Herpes is a virus that once triggered, can remain in the body for life. While I find no evidence of Tamoxifen itself directly causing a herpes outbreak, a decrease in hormone levels may play a factor in reactivating the virus again.
As we are a charity separate from the NHS and without access to your medical records, we would encourage you to speak to your breast care nurse specialist (if you have one) to talk this through.
They are best placed to assess you (if needed) and give advice on how to manage these symptoms.
I hope this information is helpful. Please know you can give us a call to talk things through further.
Best wishes,
Donna,
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.
Ref: DW/AON
