Previously I had tried many different brands of lubricants but they did not help and my local pharmacy did not stock any vaginal moisturisers. I complained to my GP’s nurse and she suggested that I try Anne Summers, and this was not something I had expected.”I was recovering from vulval cancer and my vaginal area was burnt and dry due to my surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. I love walking but was finding it very uncomfortable and I needed to use vaginal moisturisers. Sounds simple enough; have a problem, and there’s the solution, all done. This was not the case. Trying to buy vaginal moisturisers was a real problem.
I went and thankfully was greeted by a wonderful assistant who recommended me a silicone based product to use on the sensitive areas. I couldn’t believe the results so I decided to email the company letting them know how pleased I was with their product but how I was disappointed I could not find it in any pharmacies.
I could not be the only women recovering from a gynae cancer needing a vaginal moisturiser.
After a few emails they kindly sent the Gynaecology Out Patient Department in Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital some samples and brochures so they could give them to their patients. Hopefully those women won’t have to go through what I did.
What irritates me the most is that anything for rectums is fine, shelves full of products, anything vaginal ends up hidden at the back of the shop on a dusty bottom shelf!
Vagina is not a dirty word and health care products relating to it should not be banished to the bottom shelf. Let’s open up about gynaecological cancers – it’s not something to be embarrassed about!”
This September is Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month; so if you, like Kay, would like to spread the message about all forms of gynaecological cancers then please share this amongst your friends and family on social media using the #TimeToOpenUp.