Hi Plb and thank you for your post.

I am sorry to read that you have been treated for breast cancer, and continue to experience side effects from the treatment.

I appreciate this must be causing you some concern.

It’s not unusual for vaginal soreness, irritation, and urinary issues (urgency) to persist or emerge after stopping Arimidex. 

This is because Arimidex lowers your oestrogen levels, and can cause vaginal atrophy and thinning of tissues which hormones can make the skin around the vagina more dry and sensitive. This can also make water infections more likely.

The repeated use of antibiotics can also lead to secondary infections, such as yeast or bacterial infections.

It is always important to get checked if the symptoms keep coming back.

You might want to speak to your GP about treatments that can help, such as creams or gels that replace moisture. Low-dose vaginal oestrogen (if safe for you) which works only in the vagina, not the whole body).

I hope this information helps and you feel more comfortable soon.

It might help to talk things through with one of our nurses on the helpline. You can call for free on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Kind regards,

Tina