You are not alone! Nothing to do with letrozole for me but the chemo from April to August. No interest, felt guilty and now taking it slowly. Things will get better. X
I use Active Balance moisturising pessaries 3 times a week and they really help, along with lubricant. It is not easy though. I finished chemo 2 years ago and radiotherapy 18 months ago. On hormone therapy and neither me nor my husband have our mojo back yet. W've both been through a huge thing and it is difficult for either of us to get in the mood, let alone at the same time!! I am very lucky that we're solid in our relationship and best friends as well as everything else, so we know it is just going to take a bit more time. We are still having sex, but it's not often just now and we are both accepting of that, if a little sad about it.
I did try regelle and replens (found regelle better) from my GP, hich were in gel/ cream form but I was still finding everything very tight and therefore sore. I had used the Active Balance before going to the doctor and remember things being better. I've just reduced the Active Balance to twice a week and use the regelle once a week to see if that keeps things OK.
Active Balance has hyaluronic acid in it and after doing a bit of research, it seems that it has the same effect as local oestrogen cream for keeping things flexible and moisturised.
I went through something very similar after chemotherapy and ongoing medication, and I know how upsetting it can be, but for me things did gradually stabilise with time. If you want to avoid hormones, I’d strongly suggest regular use of good-quality vaginal moisturisers (not just lubricants during sex), taking things very slowly with lots of communication, and considering pelvic floor physio, which can really help with pain. It may also be worth speaking to your oncology team or a menopause specialist about non-hormonal options, this is a common side effect, you’re not alone, and it can improve.
