Vaginal atrophy in breast cancer survivors: role of vaginal estrogen therapy

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2013 Jan;29(1):25-9. doi: 10.3109/09513590.2012.705389. Epub 2012 Sep 21.

Abstract

Early menopause and related vaginal atrophy is a well known side-effect of hormone adjuvant treatment in breast cancer patients, particularly during aromatase-inhibitors therapy. Due to estrogens contra-indication, proper therapy for such symptom remains often an inadequately addressed clinical problem. After an accurate assessment of the risk/benefit ratio, vaginal low-dose estrogen treatment (better with estriol) [corrected] may have a role in controlling vaginal atrophy in selected and informed breast cancer women.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Intravaginal
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects
  • Aromatase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Aromatase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Atrophy / chemically induced
  • Atrophy / drug therapy
  • Atrophy / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Estriol / administration & dosage*
  • Estrogens / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Survivors
  • Tamoxifen / administration & dosage
  • Tamoxifen / adverse effects*
  • Vagina / drug effects
  • Vagina / pathology*
  • Vaginal Diseases* / chemically induced
  • Vaginal Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Vaginal Diseases* / pathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Aromatase Inhibitors
  • Estrogens
  • Tamoxifen
  • Estriol