Vaginal laser therapy versus hyaluronic acid suppositories for women with symptoms of urogenital atrophy after treatment for breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Urogenital atrophy affects >50 % of women after breast cancer (BC) and there is reluctance to use local estrogen for this group. Hormone-free therapies like intravaginal laser therapy and hyaluronic acid suppositories have been shown to produce symptom relief in women with BC and urogenital atrophy, but have not been tested against each other. The aim of this study was to compare these nonhormonal modalities in women with urogenital atrophy after BC in a randomized fashion.

Study design: We randomly assigned 43 women (aged 49-58 years, mean age 54 years) with urogenital atrophy and a history of BC to receive intravaginal laser therapy (2 courses within 1 month) or hyaluronic acid suppositories (3 times/week continuously for three months). The primary endpoint was score on the Vaginal Health Index after 3 months. Secondary endpoints were subjective bother on a numeric rating scale for all urogenital atrophy domains, quality of life, sexual health and pelvic organ prolapse symptoms using validated questionnaires.

Results: Of the 43 women who participated, 22 were randomized to intravaginal laser therapy, and 21 to vaginal suppositories. At 3 months score on the Vaginal Health Index had improved significantly in both groups (p = 0.001), without a significant difference between treatment groups (p = 0.232). Significant improvement was also seen in both groups for subjective bother of urogenital atrophy, quality of life and sexual health, without significant differences between laser or hyaluronic acid therapy.

Conclusions: Both intravaginal laser therapy and hyaluronic acid suppositories are effective treatment options for women after BC suffering from urogenital atrophy. No difference was found between treatment regimens.

Clinicaltrials: gov identifier: NCT03816735, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03816735.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Genitourinary syndrome of menopause; Hyaluronic acid suppositories; Urogenital atrophy; Vaginal laser therapy.