Using Oestrogen Cream after HER2 Positive Breast Cancer

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Hi everyone

This is my first time posting on here. I had HER2 breast cancer with mastectomy, lymph node clearance, 6 x chemo and 15 x radiotherapy and I have just had my last herceptin and pertuzamab injection

My hair has grown back like a curly mop, my nail still snap off in the slightest breeze and my eyebrows are growing back in ten different directions but I couldn't care!
However I am struggling with menopause symptoms which I believe come courtesy of Tamoxifen. I have chronic urges to go for a wee when I don't need to go, I've had countless UTIs and cystitis, have been hospitalised three times with haemorragic cystitis and am on antibiotics every few weeks. I rarely have more than 90 minutes sleep in one go each night as I am constantly woken by hot flushes and sex is so uncomfortable I'd rather clean the oven.

I know HRT is out of the question and don't want to even risk it even though I follow the menospause doctor Louise Newsome on instagram who says it's not.
I mentioned these symptoms to my lovely chemo nurse the other day and she rang me yesterday to say that thinking has now changed and I could try to use a low dose vaginal
oestrogen cream (Oveston?) to help with some symptoms. I could have jumped for joy but now today the worry wombles are kicking in and am thinking it could pose a risk.

So what I'm trying to ask in a very roundabout way is if anyone else has been HER2 positive but has any info/experience about using vaginal oestrogen cream.
Thanks so much everyone, much appreciated.
Keep smiling x

NanaBetty over 3 years ago in reply to SDee

Hi , i have been using YESS products which are also hormone free. My problem is the lack of sleep and i am hoping someone can come up with an alternative do staying on Aromasine ( which is the equivalent of Taxmoxafen for woman who are already in menapause) for more than 5 years!!!

Coddfish over 3 years ago in reply to SDee

Several people have mentioned Replens. I use internal moisturisers alongside Vagifem, I found over time the internal moisturisers weren’t enough on their own. I find Active Balance Moisture Plus to be the best one. It’s a bit messier but it doesn’t leave clumpy residue like Replens. Replens tends to make me itch.

Irishgirl16 over 3 years ago in reply to Coddfish

Vagifem, I think, contains estrogen, so I have to avoid that as my cancer was ER+.

Beatthebreast over 3 years ago in reply to SDee

Sylk is a lubricant to use during sex whereas as the moisturisers help to heal and moisturise you - they are only needed twice a week. Hope you find something that works for you, but definitely worth trying non-hormonal to see if it works.

Beatthebreast over 3 years ago in reply to Coddfish

Coddfish this is what I found too - Active Balance tended to just leave my body once it had warmed up (though i did like the fact no applicator was needed) and replens had a bit of a residue. I have found regelle to be the best so far as it has neither of those issues. I liked Active Balance for healing, but I don't think you can get it on prescription.

It's good that there are so many non-hormonal ones that work, when it feels like there isn't much do be done about many of the other menopause issues.

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Using Oestrogen Cream after HER2 Positive Breast Cancer