Intimacy after radiation

This may be waaay tooooo personal but I wanted to know if any of you ladies who have had external and internal rads experienced a VERY VERY SLIGHT pinkish (blood) after your first time resuming sexual relations after your treatments? I experienced this, nothing bad but it is just like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder if you know what I mean.

I used lubricant, but I don't think it was enough and I also started HRT last week and had my first exams last week with both my oncologists who gave the go ahead to resume my sex life.

I know this may be way too personal or TMI, but if I ever felt comfortable asking this question it is to this group of ladies.

THANKS!

Hi, While I have not had radiation, I understand that it can contribute to thinning of the vaginal wall which might account for the very slight bleeding you had. You might want to check this out with your doctor. There are estrogen creams that can be used but of course it depend upon ones dx and I also am not sure how having radiation may affect their use.
I hope someone comes along soon who has had radiation.
s

Yep, happened to me as well. In fact, it happened EVERY time for about 5 months after radiation. I kept asking my Dr. and he told me it was normal for some women. He told me the walls of the vagina had thinned from the rads and could take a while before it gets better. I also used lubricant and it didn't help that much. I am about 7 months out and have not noticed any bleeding for a while so I guess it just resolved on it's own, which I am VERY happy about. Nothing spoils the mood more than having to put a towel down to protect the sheets (sorry if that was ). It wasn't just very light spotting with me either, it was more, so don't alwaysworry, there are others who have experienced the same.

Thanks! I'm sorry that your's was so much more than light spotting. I'm using lubricant also (on myself and him as well, the first time there was no light spotting, the 2nd time there was a slight spotting, I think maybe I got a little to confident! LOL)

It does help to hear that others have experienced this. I find that since tx stopped almost 2 months ago, and getting the all clear last week, it is difficult to move on and not think every thing is cancer related. And it is also hard to believe I went through all of this. I think it is just now hitting me.

I am in menapause and start hormone therapy last week, and I thought my ovarian cyst would never come back because of the menapause, boy was I wrong. The nurse said I will probably still develop them and they are quite common in menapausal women. Oh joy.

I really do appreciate you guys sharing your experiences, it does help ease my mind!!!!!!!!!