Fertility, menopause and anal cancer

Hi Hayley

Welcome to the club. With regards to the narrowing of the vagina it is a potential side affect, but when you finish treatment they give you dilators to use. I finished my treatment on the 6th November and was dreading using them and kept putting it off due to things I'd read, I went for it on the 24th and it was fine.

Re creams I used E45 to start with as it was one of the creams recommended by my medical team. I used it everywhere downstairs not just my bum. Once treatment started I was given flamigel, flaminal hydro, flaminal forte and instillagel by the hospital. 

If you are having the chemo part of your treatment via a picc line I would buy a limbo sleeve for showering etc. Other things I found helpful were water wipes for wiping after the toilet and men's baggy boxer shorts ( more comfy than ladies pants ).

One thing that I think is important with regards to creams or anything else that you may put in contact with your skin is to check with your medical team first as different hospitals seem to say yes/no to different things also things change with time. For example i used epsom salts which some hospitals are ok with but when I mentioned it at the hospital I was told to stop immediately.

I'm sure some of the lovely people on here will give you some more tips and advice that worked for them.

Good luck for Monday. Xx

Hello Hayley

A warm welcome to the forum although I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis.  I am so glad you pressed ahead with all the investigations, sometimes a gut feeling is so overwhelming and you were right to keep going although it is such a pity that the cancer was found.  But treatment is only a week away and hopefully you won't need any more botox after this.

I am sorry I can't advise about fertility, I was way past the menopause when I had treatment but I am hoping that someone with more experience that me in this area picks up on your post.  I completely understand why you are feeling so upset about this, you are so young to be facing this at 39.  

Bungle has given some good advice about dilators and creams and I would just stress that at all times you keep in touch with your treating team about anything you are experiencing and need help with.  They have a wealth of creams, pain relief and dressings at their disposal and will do everything they can to minimise side effects.

Please remember we are here to help support you in the coming weeks should you need it.

Sending a big hug

Irene xx

Thank you so much. I’ve tried the e45 the last few days in preparation for Monday but it burns my bum. E45 was also recommended by my chemo nurse. X

Regarding the dilators my consultant hasn’t gone through this with me yet. Just so I am mentally prepared what are they actually for? Im assuming to widen the vagina? How does the radiotherapy affect the vagina? Does this happen to allot of women? Xx

Thank you so much! All becoming a bit real now. I keep saying I’m going into jail as I’ll be isolating over my treatment period. So many illnesses around atm. And I scared to get unwell on top of everything. How was your immune system afterwards? Before cancer I was hardly ever ill and would rarely even get a cold. I’m an air hostess so going back to work around all those people seems along way away unfortunately. Xx

The colo-rectal nurse told me to use the dilators at the end of treatment (waiting a while if very sore). Then start with the smallest and gently insert . Rotate it clockwise then anti-clockwise for 3 minutes, three times a week. Use with a lubricant! 

I was pleasantly surprised to find I could insert the dilator easily!

Hi

I was told by my hospital that I could use E45, aveeno or aloe vera gel 99.9, obviously check with your hospital but if E45 no good for you maybe one of the others would work for you. Xx

Hi

As I understand it your vagina can narrow and get scared up during the treatment as it is in the way and they can't move it. the dilators break down any potential scar tissue. I was told to use 3/4 times a week, 10 minutes a time for 18 months but the leaflet they gave says to use forever so I will check with them about that when I have further appointments. I put off using them as I read to much and was dreading it. Eventually started about 2.5 weeks post treatment and it's been fine so far. I would presume its like all the potential side affects some people get them to varying degrees and some don't. Xx

Hi 

I had blood tests every week during treatment to check immune system and other stuff. I don't know but would presume this is standard practice. X

Hi, 

I only used the E45 just to  wipe myself after having a wee as soothing and also so it wasn’t so harsh on your skin just using toilet paper. And then would apply Cavilon which is like a barrier cream after going a toilet my skin was fine. I was given a stoma before my treatment started.