I have a rather unique problem. I am a survivor of cervical cancer. I had 30 external radiation treatments and 4 internal treatments to eliminate a tumor.
This resulted in my vagina being schrunk as well, and I can't have intercourse.
My onchologist said that you would be able to advice me on how to stretch the vagina beack to normality.
Dr. Eve Replies:
I am not sure your problem is unique considering that cervical cancer is the number one cancer that causes death of women in South Africa. So you write on behalf of many many women. I thank you for this. Of course your situaiton is unique, I do not underestimate the traumatic experience you have had- and the trauma continues.
I assume you are on strong medication that removes estrogen , aromatase inhibitors, so together with the inevitable damage caused by the radiation , your vagina has taken a beating. In order to replenish and rehabilitate your vagina again, I need you to enquire from your oncologist if local estrogen vaginal replacement is at all possible. This would go a far way to getting rid of the atrophy. However if this is not possible then I suggest you begin to insert a Moisturizer, namel Replens. Thsi is available on my site and at every pharmacy. Replens will begin to replenish the inner lining of the vagina, the epithelium. I suggest you do this daily for 3 weeks- also it will give you a good indicator on what your vagina can tolerate in terms of insertables right now. I suggest you use a water based lubricant or Gelsea so insert the Replens is a smooth non painful experience. Use it at the entrance of your vagina, just a little, and then insert the Replens.
If after 3 weeks you are feeling that there is no pain when you insert the Replens applicator I suggest you begin to insert a very slim dilator. I recommend BSWISH BGEE as it is a slim insertor (that vibrates but no matter , you do not have to use it as a vibrator ) enusre you have the lube on entrance to your vagina and place soem on the dilator. see how far yuo cna manage to insert it comfortably.
Do this daily, leaving it in for a few minutes each time, so the vagina begins to stretch to its best capacity. One does not knwo what this is until you begin doing this process. There has been what is called "friablity" to the vagina as a reuslt of the radiation so you will have to work with the possibility of what your vagina can best be.
Once you can comfortably insert the BGEE you will then move onto a bigger dilate, namle the BSWISH BGOOD. and go through the same training program again.
I would love to hear back from you as to your progress and then I shall be happy to guide you to further. Please persist.
