TAH - burning during intercourse

I had a TAH 3 1/2 years ago due to endometrial cancer. Without estrogen, I have terrible burning during intercourse. Does anyone who has had this problem have a remedy that works for them that doesn't contain hormones?

(((eraymond))) I've moved your thread over here to our Sexual Dysfunction forum, where you're more likely to find others in a similar situation.

I understand you have decided not to use HRT, but many, if not most, oncologists (including mine) routinely prescribe vaginal estrogen products like Estring and Vagifem for their patients with vaginal dryness and atrophy issues.

If your oncologist won't allow even vaginal estrogen (and that would surprise me), you might consider trying vitamin E. There is a company called Carlson that makes a product called Key-e suppositories that are quite soothing... if you google them you'll find them for sale online.

I hope this helps!
s,
-Linda

Thanks so much for the information. I'm going to try the product you recommended (with vit E). My oncologist actually prescribed a product with estrogen, but when I read the label warning on the prescription, it cautioned against women with a history of cancers such as mine using it. I made the decision myself to not use it. Enough worries post-cancer without introducing a new one. Best, eraymond

Ahh... that warning is required by the FDA on any product that contains any form of estrogen (and, in California, even progesterone). It doesn't have anything to do with whether or not you might actually experience any of the side effects they list, and it doesn't discriminate between a higher dose birth control pill, oral HRT, low-dose patches or even the very tiny dose vaginal products. However, if you feel better not using them, the Vitamin E would be my next choice.

s,
-Linda

I have the same problem. I had a total hysterectomy in Sept. 2003 and not only did my libido go out the window, when we do have intercourse, it is so painful. We go months without having intercourse because I can't handle the pain. I feel horrible for my hubby. I can't take hormone replacements as I am very prone to bloodclots. I am trying to think of how I can describe the pain without being too descriptive...imagine a tunnel that has been scraped raw with sand paper and then salt continually gets pumped into it. It's that bad. Sorry if I got too descriptive.......

Hello, Sisters. I'm happy to report that I ordered Carlson's vitamin E suppositories - and they work! Simply insert one prior to intercourse - 10 to 15 minutes is best - and voila! No more burning. They're not messy or drippy. In fact, my husband loved the sensation - very much pre-TAH. While my libido is fairly much intact, I realized that I was putting off sex prior to utilizing vitamin E in anticipation of the nasty burning. I encourage all of you who feel, as a friend said to me, "like my vagina is gray and dried up," to try this very natural and neat antidote.

I totally relate to your post. It sucks......more so at my young age 35 and still a newly wed. We also go months.......so frustrating.

This is the thread that I found when I found this site! I can't have anything with estrogen or any other hormones because of my breast cancer so I am going to def look into the vit e stuff!! The burning is unbearable and and in 2years we have only "tried" 2 times. I feel awful for my hubby. Thankfully he is so wonderful.