Re: and Tamoxifen

[Guest guest]

,

This is a topic I am very interested in.

I was just reading in Dr. Love's Breast Book that " Replens " is pretty

good for this situation, and thus you might be able to sidestep using a

lubricant during, uh, you know, thingie.

Some of the dryness is a natural consequence of menopause. My

grandmother was prescribed the tiniest bit of topically applied

estrogen cream for the same situation - and she blushed bright red when

I found the stuff in her bathroom. She'd had a total hysterectomy when

she was 40. I don't know if I would go in that direction, even though

Dr. Love says it's OK for ER/PR+ women to use this. I am investigating

plant phytoestrogens, which have a different effect in the body than

our estrogen, and might be helpful in regaining supple tissues.

Hooray for you for having a willing spirit. My husband is starting to

get that desperate look. I'm right in the middle of chemo, and I am

really tired, and I do really have a headache.

Take care,

--- " H. McGill " wrote:

> Hi Janice,

> I'm new to this group but I joined because I was

> interested in women's responses to Tamoxifen (which

> I'm on), specifically sexually related side effects.

> I was single when I had my mastectomy in 2004, stayed

> single thru chemo, and wondered if there was ever

> going to be sex after mastectomy. As of this summer,

> I can say YES but not w/o some trepidation (on my

> part, not his). I'm still not over my own self

> consciousness and feel rather tentative about my body,

> not just the lack of breast (I opted not to have

> reconstructive surgery) but also because I'm convinced

> the Tamoxifen is affecting me in that department (too

> dry and sort of hmmm, how to explain, not supple or

> something, I feel too sensitive like I could just rip

> to shreds...). I found the hardest part to be the

> disclosure -- I really felt like I needed to explain

> what was going on but found it VERY hard to begin that

> conversation (which is completely ridiculous since I'd

> already told him I'd had breast cancer -- why such a

> big deal to tell him I'd had a mastectomy?!). Anyway,

> I'd love to hear your thoughts since I'm still really

> struggling with this...

> --

>

> --- Ms Janice Thornton wrote:

>

> > To anyone out there

> >

> > I am single and had a double mascetomy, I haven't

> > had

> > a relationship with an man since then, now I think I

> > may be ready. But I am shy about my tram flap, and

> > all

> > the resulting surgical scars on my abdomen and

> > chest.

> > My skin keloids and so they are not pretty. I am

> > wondering if the married couples out there are

> > anyone

> > with an man friend in their lives, how do they react

> > to them

> > Jan.

> >

> > __________________________________________________

> >