Radiation Treatment

• By its_my_goliath
• Posted April 19, 2009 at 8:29 pm
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What size dilator have you been using? Um, not to be asking a weird question but what happens when you try to have sex? Sometimes this stuff is more mental than physical?

Are you able to get pelvic exams?

Have you tried anything herbal/natural?

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• By ocgal
• Posted April 19, 2009 at 8:41 pm
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Thank you for yur reply. I have all different sizes but I use the 2nd to smallest size. I am going to the doctor's and they do the pelvic exam but I am very tight and yes they hurt. I have not tried anything herbal, but if you have any suggestions I would appreciate them. Sex is mental but unforunately the physical is what hurts still and no penatration is possible.

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• By its_my_goliath
• Posted April 19, 2009 at 8:48 pm
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Ask your doctor of course, but combo of radiation and menopause often causes stenosis--shrinking.

Ginseng, black cohosh, dong quai, and evening primrose are a few herbal supplements that claim to help with menopause symptoms. Black cohosh is the one I hear the most.

Estrogen creams could be something you ask about. Estrogen is controversal, but I think in cream form it's different and could help.

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• By willtosurvive
• Posted April 20, 2009 at 1:42 pm
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I would also suggest trying to use a LOT of lubricant. That will help with pain from penetration.

My next suggestion is serious although it may come across as amusing. Maybe your partner is "above average" size wise. It may be helpfull to ask for him to start with minimal penetration (tip only) and slowly over time work at increasing "depth". It could also be that your "path" has shortened and the pain is also from stretching that way.

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• By ocgal
• Posted May 5, 2009 at 2:01 pm
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Thanks for your advice. Where would I be able to purchase these herbal remedies?

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• By Emkaytx
• Posted June 3, 2009 at 8:35 pm
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Herbal remedies can be purchased at health food stores, some GNCs and also look online. I just had a radical hysto, and about to start radiaiton/chemo. I plan to take Don Quai, becaused it helped with PMS many years ago.

I am nervous about the same issues you are experiencing, but there are alot of natural remedies to help with the mind and body.

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• By MISTYHOWELL
• Posted June 18, 2009 at 4:04 pm
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Hi....

My name is Misty and I finished treatments in 2000....chemo, external and internal radiation. I had a normal active sex life for about 3 years with no problems. Then I started experiencing severe pain after, not during, intercourse. I have been in and out of hospitals, with no answers. I have been a patient of MD Anderson for the entire time and they were not able to figure out why so much pain after. Most patients experience pain during intercourse. I just found out, after going to Methodist in the medical center in Houston, that my vagina is rapidly shortening. I have started the use of dialators. A normal vagina should be 10 cm in depth. Mine is about 4-5 cm. Radiation does damage. I have to say that my husband and I were told that sex was over for us. I have to continue the use of the dialators so I can be examined. They way they explained it to me was, "what you don't use, you lose." It has been another definite grieving for us. I hope this helps.

Best Wishes

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• By esca
• Posted June 18, 2009 at 9:46 pm
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were you using dialators prior to the pain? or/and how often were you having sex? I am asking this because I was told to use dialators 3 times a week or more times even when sexually active////

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