Can't take hrt. Best moisturiser for atrophy?

[Babysharkdoodoodood]

Had hormone receptive breast cancer in 2012. Still on exemestane until 2022; so can't have hrt.

My vagina is now like a wizened, atrophied (hollow) prune and it's making me prone to pain on peeing. Nothing really medical so don't need to see the gp (yet). Haven't had penetrative sex for a while as it gets sore, so have decided to sort it out.

Have decided to treat it like my face and moisturise it regularly, don't know why that hasn't registered with me really. Should take a bit more care with sensitive areas rather than just keeping it clean.

Anyway just wanted to know what the best moisturiser for the V is really, don't want a lubricant, just something to restore it and stop it getting more dried up. I'm only 54 but it feels like 70 down there! And to be able to get without a prescription. My monthly goodie bag from the chemist is already big enough.

Have you seen a specialist menopause gynaecologist about this?

Many will prescribe vaginal estrogen for women like you. The uptake if any is only in the first week or two they say, and a year's use is the equivalent of ONE 1mg estrogen pill.

You might find this interview interesting where Nick Panay discusses this and the use of DHEA. Being really serious, you ought to be referred to a menopause expert.

lizearlewellbeing.com/making-sense-of-hrt-nick-panay/

On the same site- liz earle- you can also see a podcast with Kirsty Lang who has gone back on HRT (starting with vaginal estrogen) after BC.

lizearlewellbeing.com/breast-cancer-and-hrt-with-kirsty-lang/

Not pushing it- your choice and so forth- but it's helpful to know what other women are doing and your options.

The moisturiser gynaes advise is YES but to be honest nothing will reverse the changes properly except weak estrogen cream.

You should see genie as you may need to start using dilators.