Surviving breast cancer is a remarkable feat. But it can also signal the start of a new chapter, one that often includes silent struggles with intimate health. Drawing on my background as a scientist and my own experiences with my own intimate health challenges, I founded P.Happi® to shine a light on these women health issues and offer real, science-backed solutions.
When we talk about ‘beating cancer’, we often focus on remission. But for many women, the journey after breast cancer includes persistent health challenges that are rarely discussed in clinical settings. At P.Happi®, we hear from women every day who are dealing with vaginal dryness, discomfort during intimacy, and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs).These symptoms are not just inconvenient – they impact their quality of life, relationships, and emotional wellbeing, as Darlaine explains:
“In 2016, I was diagnosed with lobular breast cancer, which spreads in a diffuse pattern, making it harder to detect. After multiple surgeries, including a mastectomy, things escalated after a salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of ovaries and fallopian tubes).
“It was like being pushed off a cliff into menopause – no gradual shift, just cold turkey. My body hated it: joint pain, headaches, weak grip, brain fog, mood swings, hair loss and thinning skin, plus vaginal and genital changes no one really prepares you for.
“A gynecologist explained that lack of oestrogen causes atrophy and dryness. I tried various treatments, but my current routine includes a small dose of oestrogen cream, gentle washing, and probiotics.
“This isn’t just about comfort. It’s about quality of life, relationships, dignity, and reducing unnecessary antibiotic use. Too often, we’re dismissed or told nothing can be done. That needs to change.”
Find out more about Darlaine’s story and her journey to navigate menopause and intimate health with confidence over on P.Happi’s® website.
Hearing from women like Darlaine, and after suffering from my own intimate health challenges and my research in Synthetic Biology, I was inspired me to set up P.Happi®, a biotech start-up dedicated to women’s intimate health across all life stages – from menopause to postnatal recovery, and during and after breast cancer treatment.
Our flagship product is a topical serum powered by B.Y.M.® 1405 (Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus), a microbiome-protective ingredient that targets harmful bacteria like E. coli while supporting beneficial flora. Most importantly, it’s antibiotic and hormone-free.
Health Innovation East has been instrumental in supporting P.Happi®’s journey, providing mentorship support through the Accelerating FemTech programme, networking opportunities, facilitating conversations with commissioners, and providing guidance around routes to market. Their support has been crucial in helping us bring our innovation closer to patient and improve women’s intimate health outcomes.
We were also proud to exhibit our work at the East of England All Party Parliamentary Group, led by Health Innovation East in July 2025, where we shared our mission to improve intimate health outcomes for women, during all stages in their lives, including post-cancer. The physiological impact of cancer treatments are well understood, but the intimate health consequences are less well known. Hormone therapies, chemotherapy, and radiation can disrupt the vaginal microbiome, reduce natural lubrication, and increase susceptibility to infections, as Sharon experience:
“In February 2021, I had a mastectomy for invasive lobular breast cancer, followed by chemotherapy and Letrozole, a hormone therapy used after breast cancer to lower the risk of recurrence. These hormones can cause side effects such as joint pain, fatigue, or vaginal dryness, and after several months, I experienced increased discomfort and recurrent urinary tract infections.
“Various moisturisers didn’t help, and my consultant suggested switching to another hormone treatment, Tamoxifen, combined with a low-dose oestrogen pessary. Although there was a risk of cancer returning, it worked for two years with no UTIs.
“However, the side effects of Tamoxifen became unbearable, so I took a six-week break and started using P.Happi® twice a day. I’ve now resumed Letrozole with no discomfort so far. It’s early days, but the signs are promising with no UTIs and no cancer return.”
Sharon isn’t alone in reporting the benefits they’ve experienced with P.Happi®. Recent studies have shown promising results, with 93% of users saying dry intimate skin felt moisturised, and 78% noting better results compared to other solutions (1).
Across different life stages, including menopause, postnatal recovery, and post-cancer intimate health deserves more attention. If you’re a healthcare professional working with breast cancer patients, please consider intimate health as part of your post-treatment care. Let’s move towards the restoration of women’s comfort, confidence, and quality of life.
Anyone with symptoms like the ones discussed should talk to their doctor about microbiome-protective, topical solutions. To find out more about P.Happi®, visit the website.
Clinicians can request further information, samples and resources from this web page or contact P.Happi® at hello@p-happi.com.
Reference
(1) https://p-happi.com/products/daily-intimate-serum-15ml?variant=55563303190905
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