Luvena was prescribed to me by my Nurse Practitioner at my last office visit when I thought I had a vaginal yeast infection among other problems. After discussing my symptoms, she disagreed with my diagnosis and told me that my symptoms were more in line with vaginal atrophy and dryness. With a smile on her face, she was about to share with me the name of a new product on the market which would solve all of those problems – Luvena. It is an over the counter medication and she has seen it at Walgreens and CVS.
Upon the nurse practitioner’s advice, I ended up buying two packages at Walmart where they were four or five dollars cheaper than CVS. I couldn’t wait to get some relief!
First problem – the applicator (that green thing in the picture to the left.) It does not work! I don’t know who in hell designed this piece of crap, it wasn’t someone with a vagina, or anyone who has even been intimate with a vagina! I am not going into further detail other than to state that trying to deliver the creamy product to its destination is nearly IMPOSSIBLE with the provided applicator! Unfu*#ing believable!!
Since I have two packages, I decided that rather than waste the product, I would try to transfer the “cream” to an old, plastic applicator I found in our medicine chest, of course after washing it. That was even a challenge to transfer the cream to the tube I held in my hand! I ended up with the cream all over the kitchen counter.
On to my 2nd try, I did succeed, but, I will guarantee you this, I will NEVER purchase this product again! It is not worth it, plus, they are being sued for false advertising. Gheez!
Doing more research on this condition, vaginal atrophy/dryness, which is exacerbated by the hormone blocker I take, I found this information from Breast Cancer.org:
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- Question fromErika: I’m taking Femara and have severe problems with vaginal dryness. I have tried various lubricants but have been unsuccessful. Any advice would be appreciated.
- Answers –Kara Nakisbendi I think it’s a good time to experiment with different products for lubricant. Some people use almond oil, coconut oil, or Crisco [oil] if you’re not worried about condoms. There are many items you can try. Open communication is the most important so you don’t feel that you’re trying to hide the symptoms you have or handle them all on your own.
- Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D. I think it’s crucial, and I wish all women had easy access to a gynecologist as knowledgeable and sympathetic as Dr. Nakisbendi. Women often have a hard time getting their gynecologist or oncologist really to pay attention to the problems that they’re having in this area.
- Kara Nakisbendi Another important point is that a lot of times having pain or discomfort or not having the pleasure can lead to avoidance. And that brings on a whole host of other problems, one of which is worsening of vaginal atrophy, or thinning of the vaginal tissue. From there, intercourse can be more painful. Sometimes, in addition to lubricants, the use of vaginal dilators can help a woman understand her anatomy and become comfortable with penetration again in a controlled, safe way.
On Wednesday, February 20, 2008, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Sex, Intimacy, and Breast Cancer.Leslie R. Schover, Ph.D. and Kara Nakisbendi, M.D. answered your questions about sexual side effects of breast cancer and breast cancer treatment, and what you can do about them.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved
Cancer Isn't Pink 
When you combine hormone suppressing medication with menopause, well. You have a world of discomfort and “personal lubricants” that promise to be “gentle and light” are useless. Crisco sounds more like it to me. And even that may not be enough. I’ve been thinking 3-in-1 oil.
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Oh my GOSH!! Hey, I’ll try anything at this point, maybe some WD40 and it can help with arthritis too? 😀 And if that doesn’t work, I think my hubby has some 30W oil in the garage… just kidding 😉
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I’d go with the motor oil.
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Hahaha, the comments got me laughing out loud. Sorry this product didn’t work. Hope you find a suitable alternative. I wouldn’t ask that nurse for another recommendation, though.
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Sometimes, we just have to laugh at idiotic things. I like the comments here! Thanks for stopping by! 😀
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Crisco, huh? I bet that didn’t make the Loretta Lynn cookbook… http://youtu.be/c2rT4UQfaqg
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Hahahaha, you are hysterical! 😀
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Sometimes I think it would be worth it to have 5 great years with estrogen than all these side effects without it! Then I get over it. I use estriol cream vaginally, which is used commonly in Europe for menopausal symptoms. It is the weakest of the three estrogens, and some (i.e. Jonathan Wright, MD) believe it acts as a more beneficial Tamoxifen. It does help, although it’s not perfect. I think non-use is also part of the problem here:)
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I have used pure virgin coconut oil as a personal lubricant since 2007, with no issues and no side effects. I had a horrific side effect when I tried using a his and hers product, I ended up with a chemical burn in my vaginal canal that caused a secondary infection. The infection was so bad that my nurse practitioner thought I had an STD, and she tested me for a whe slew I them. She talked to me and suggested I not talk to my husband until the labs came back in case he was cheating, and she have me a huge shot and some condoms. No joke. I told her what had happened not even a week easier and she said the burning sensation may have irritated the lining of my vaginal canal, but the infection was just massive. Either way, she told me
To just use plain KY jelly for a while. I went home mad as hell. I did a lot of research and found out about coconut oil and have used it ever since. I have even had times where I could not afford the expensive jar from the health food store, and did more research, and switched to LouAnn’s coconut oil in the cooking aisle of the local grocery. It is 100% coconut oil. Now I use Carrington’s Farm coconut oil from Costco. Coconut oil has great medicinal benefits as well, and I don’t even have vaginal yeast infections anymore. Hubby and I are happy and have had 7 years of great intimacy using coconut oil. This is my two cents worth anyway…just sayin’:)
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I will give the coconut oil a try, I actually have a jar of 100% virgin coconut oil in the kitchen. Thank you so much for all of your information! I truly appreciate it. The more I read, the more endorsements I find for the coconut oil. Thank you again! 😀
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Definitely go coconut oil. It’s also great for lubing up your back door, if you’re into that sort of thing. 🙂
I learned this listening to the Tiffany Granath Show that used to be on Playboy Radio on SiriusXM. 🙂
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After at least a year of back and forth to to gyn with recurring bv and round after round of antibiotics that only caused more problems, my obgyn mentioned this product and his other patients having success with it. I keep it on hand for whenever I feel anything coming on, even a UTI. I haven’t had to take an antibiotic in years thanks to this product.
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I’m so glad this worked for you, Haley. My biggest problem was being able to “apply” the product. I am in my 60’s and have severe motor-control problems with my hands. I’ve been using Replens http://www.replens.com/?gclid=CJv2t9SBgM8CFYJ8fgodRxQIMA and have been happy with the results. However, when my package is finished, I am going to try the 100% virgin coconut oil because I think it will probably be cheaper in the long run.
Thanks again for your comment!
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Someone recommended solid coconut oil to me, but to be solid it has to be in the refrigerator. Here in the tropics the trip between the refrigerator and the bathroom might be an impossible flight–impossible to keep the coconut oil solid at least. Frustrations can mount.
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