Should I take vagirux (10mg estradiol) vaginal tablets?

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My GP has written me up for this to combat problems with a vaginal prolapse and UTIs. I mentioned that I had to stop hrt with my bc (grade 2 invasive ER+ HER2 neg), but was assured that this is used with women who have had bc. I’m reading the notes inside and it states that previous bc is a contraindication.  I would just mention that apart from my bc, I seem to be in a bc family…mother, grandmother, sister great aunt all had bc. And most recently and tragically my 39year old niece died from it six weeks after diagnosis. I’d appreciate some guidance on this.

  • Dear Bunty500,

    Thank you for getting in touch.  My name is Adele and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.  I hope you have found the breast cancer forum helpful and supportive.

    As Macmillan is a charity, separate to the NHS, we do not have access to your medical records.  We can therefore only give you general information and support.  To discuss whether Vagirux is appropriate for you, we would therefore suggest that you contact your breast cancer team.  Hopefully you have the contact details of your breast care nurses and they should be able to give you specific advice, based on your individual circumstances.

    Vagirux is a form of local oestrogen, which is used to relieve menopausal symptoms in the vagina, including dryness and irritation, which can increase the risk of UTIs (urinary tract infections).

    Many people experience vaginal changes as a result of treatment and the menopause.  NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) have produced guidelines for the management of menopausal symptoms, including for women who have had breast cancer (see section 1.5.13 to 1.5.18).  You may also find it helpful to read this information about vaginal dryness, as it includes a summary of the NICE guidance.

    Sometimes it can be helpful to consider other approaches to managing the symptoms you are experiencing and there are some non-hormonal treatments for vaginal dryness that you may want to explore.

    I am also sorry to hear about your family members who have been impacted by breast cancer. It can be particularly difficult to lose someone who is only 39, especially so soon after diagnosis.

    If you have a strong family history of certain cancers, there may be genetic changes that increase the risk of developing cancer.  I am sure that you have discussed this with your hospital team but if you have not had the opportunity, I would suggest that you have a conversation with your breast care nurses.  Having a family history of breast cancer can impact advice about the appropriateness of HRT, but the general advice is that it should be considered on a person-by-person basis, and is dependent on individual risk.

    I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

    Best wishes,

     

    Adele

    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), send us an email or contact us through webchat.

     

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