Breast Cancer and Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal dryness is a fact of life. Often affecting women going through menopause, it can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable issue. However, menopause is not the only reason a woman may be experiencing vaginal dryness. In fact, there are a handful of reasons behind this issue. One such cause of vaginal dryness is cancer treatment. It is important to understand what is causing your vaginal dryness so that you may know that you’re not alone and so that you may take the necessary steps to fix it! Replens wants you to know that there are ways to replenish moisture, such as with a vaginal moisturizer. Today we’re going to discuss what cancer has to do with vaginal dryness and what you can do to get back to feeling like yourself.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is defined by BreastCancer.org as “an uncontrolled growth of breast cells”. It can occur as a result of mutations in the genes responsible for regulating growth of cells. In the United States, about 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime (BreastCancer.org). This is an eye-opening stat that reveals just how present breast cancer is. Luckily, there are a lot of treatment options available.
With breast cancer treatment comes various side effects. Some are more well-known and talked about, while others are kept under wraps. Treatment side effects can range from abdominal pain and dizziness to hair loss and fatigue. Some side effects aren’t so embarrassing and others have been touted in mainstream media, making women more open about dealing with them. However, one side effect, vaginal dryness, is still a taboo topic.
Cancer Treatment and Vaginal Dryness
Cancer brings challenges that some never talk about, such as vaginal dryness. While the treatment options available can truly be life-saving, they come with side effects that can be difficult to cope with. Breast cancer treatments that can cause vaginal dryness include chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, and ovarian shutdown or removal (BreastCancer.org). As women age, “the vagina can naturally lose moisture and elasticity” and these treatments can actually hasten this process, causing premature menopause-like symptoms or worsen symptoms for menopausal and post-menopausal women (Cancer.org). Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate vaginal dryness, such as with vaginal moisturizers.
Vaginal Moisturizers Can Help
If you’re experiencing vaginal dryness as a result of breast cancer treatment, a vaginal moisturizer can help. Replens™ Long-Lasting Vaginal Moisturizer is estrogen-free and provides immediate and long lasting results. An estrogen-free option, like Replens, can be important to cancer patients and survivors whose treatment often restricts the use of hormone therapy. Since Replens is a vaginal moisturizer, and not a lubricant, its main goal is to deliver moisture for days, allowing you to be spontaneous making intimacy more enjoyable day or night. Whereas lubricants, like Replens™ Silky Smooth Personal Lubricant, are used immediately before sex, Replens vaginal moisturizer is used for ongoing comfort.
The makers of Replens™ Vaginal Moisturizer understand that breast cancer brings its own challenges and treatment does as well. We don’t want you to worry about side effects like vaginal dryness, so we recommend Replens vaginal moisturizer, one of the most effective ways to address vaginal dryness. We also strive to give cancer patients, survivors and supporters a place to share stories and information to improve quality of life through Celebrating Survivorship. Visit celebratingsurvivorship.com to share your experiences with survivorship.
The Vibrant Voice Ambassador’s mission is to collect interesting stories and useful articles that are relevant for mature women. Our goal is to help you maintain an active lifestyle - to Fifty and Beyond!
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