I’ve debated endlessly with myself about publishing this post. The truth is, this is an adult situation, and I’m going to discuss some delicate matters, so you’ve been warned. In the end, I thought that other women out there might be dealing with the same issues I’ve had and not to share would be wrong.
First some history. In 2007 I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and six weeks of radiation therapy. The lump was estrogen receptive, so I was placed on the drug tamoxifen, an estrogen inhibitor, for a period of five years. Everything went beautifully, but I continued menstruating heavily and in 2011 my doctors decided I needed to have an oophorectomy (hysterectomy plus removal of my ovaries, Fallopian tubes, the whole shebang.)
Shortly after that I realized that sexual intercourse, an act of which I was tremendously fond, had become unbearably painful. It was like one day a switch was shut off and my vagina ceased to be my friend.
Oh, we coaxed it, and lubricated it. I sent off to Europe for a product guaranteed to make my vagina a welcoming place again. My radiologist, Dr. Sapiente, sent me home with a set of dilators in Easter egg pastels. We tried lidocaine swabs. Nothing helped.
My gynecologist at the time prescribed the topical steroid, Premarin, and for one glorious month I was on speaking terms with my vagina. Unfortunately, when my oncologist found out I was taking it she put her foot down and took it away from me, and we were back to being frenemies.
Poor Studly was, and continues to be, so patient, and I must say I’ve been a trooper, too. Wine helps, lots and lots of wine. The act still hurts, but I don’t care as much.
When we moved to Florida I told our new family doctor about my problem and asked if there were any new treatments for women like me. He responded, “Is it still that important to you?” I wanted to slap him, but instead I began the search for another doctor.
My new doctor is female, and she referred me to a gynecologist who uses a relatively new procedure using lasers to stimulate the vagina to create its own collagen. I saw the specialist on Wednesday, and for the first time in six years I feel hopeful that we can be friends again.
The procedure isn’t covered by health insurance, and the initial package of three treatments can vary in price from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the part of the country in which one resides. Annual follow up treatments run about $500.
At my doctor’s office the procedure is known as the Mona Lisa Touch (they have a website: http://www.monalisatouch.com/), but I understand there are several other companies in the market with different monikers.
My first treatment is scheduled in early March. If I haven’t put everyone off I’ll provide updates, not to be confused with play by play. That would just be wrong. Send good thoughts. I will appreciate them.
Oh, my new gynecologist talked to me extensively about new research regarding Premarin and he’s started me on a new prescription. Things really are looking up down there.
Peace and friendship, people.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
This is undoubtedly an important post for which we are all grateful. Well done.
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Thanks. I came so close to deleting it this morning, but I slept late!
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I’m sending good thoughts. Early March is right around the corner. (I would have slapped the new family doctor, too, or at least wanted to!)
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Thank you. I just can’t believe there are doctors who still think that way! He is young and probably thinks that at 60 I have one foot in the grave!
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Once when I was away from home for a conference I made a comment about missing my husband and this 30-something woman said, “Old people still do it!?!” I was 60 at the time. Had to laugh.
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Oh, the innocence of youth!
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Courageous post, and composed adroitly with dignity and maturity, and rounded out with the robust humor and perspicacious understanding of the human condition that you bring to your blog, damn near, daily…
Regards
Doug
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Aw, shucks!
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Good luck. You’ll end up being a pioneer because in five years (I am not picking that time period randomly, btw) it’ll be covered by insurance. – Marty
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We can hope! I asked the gynecologist why it isn’t covered and he said mainly because no one knows why it works. It just works. Like Lasic surgery. The pioneers are those first guinea pigs who let someone use a laser on their privates! “You’re going to put that where???!!!”
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I don’t know anything about the particular medical treatment you mentioned, so I can’t add anything very helpful about that. I will say, though, that I’m glad you found a more sympathetic doctor. Having any kind of issue like this is difficult enough without the doctor’s attitude making matters worse.
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Here’s hoping that treatment does what it’s supposed to do. And, good on ya!
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That’s the big question–will it deliver the results? The percentages are in my favor.
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Thank you for sharing this post, very brave of you, the info shared is wonderful to know for future, and all good thoughts for March xx
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I appreciate your support. Hopefully, you’ll never have a need for this treatment, but it’s nice to know it exists, just in case.
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Oh Leslie!! I love your courage, to be able to open up in such a witty, humorous, and delicate way!!! Happy to hear you’re going to get your “friend” back!! lol!!
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Oh thank you! I appreciate your support.
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I am so glad you posted this! Even though I’m younger, I’m dealing with similar issues right now. It’s so important for women to know they’re not alone–this is a common problem, for women at every age, single or married, etc. I’ve been referred for pelvic floor physical therapy, which I had no idea even existed *gulp* Fingers crossed that it helps! (Especially since my boyfriend has been a saint about this situation as well.) Best of luck with your brave venture into the world of laser treatment!!
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I’m sorry to hear you’re going through this stuff. Dammit. We women kind of get screwed. Pun intended. Good luck with those exercises! No overlifting!
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LMAO at “no overlifting”! And thank you.
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Sending many, many good thoughts.
Isn’t premarin one of the hormone replacement thingies they offer to postpone the effects of menopause? (I say postpone because when you stop taking it, everything goes back to the way it was.)
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Thank you! Yes, Premarin is a hormone replacement. I’d been told they were verboten, but this gynecologist reassured me. It has already made a huge difference. My procedure is this week. Fingers crossed.
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Glorious!
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It has been!
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Great post, well done that woman for highlighting a problem many women in the same or similar stuations must be enduring, it’s not an easy one to disuss, but I am sure by doing so you’ll have helped others.
– Esme applauding and hoping it all works out in the end upon the Cloud
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Many thanks!
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Thanks for linking this post from your “Best of 2017” overview. So, inquiring minds want to know… did it work? (Asking for a friend 🙂 )
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It did work. I’m not going to say that I have the vagina of a 20-year-old, but it’s definitely made a difference for the better. I’m due for my “tuneup” in the next couple of months.
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I’d love to read a follow-up post… ummmm… for my friend.
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I’ll be sure and write an update! Honestly, I thought my sex life was pretty much over before these treatments.
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