Vaginal oxygen plus hyaluronic acid on genito-urinary symptoms of breast cancer survivors.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of vaginal oxygen and hyaluronic acid on genito-urinary symptoms of breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Patients were enrolled at the Menopause Outpatient Clinic of a university hospital. Breast cancer patients in a stable relationship, suffering from vaginal atrophy (VA) consequent to hypoestrogenism, were included. Natural oxygen was introduced into the vagina for 15 min, coupled in the last 5 min with a 2% solution of hyaluronic acid. Treatment was repeated five times, every 15 days. RESULTS: Out of the 40 breast cancer patients enrolled, 65% had no sexual intercourse due to pain. During treatment, the Vaginal Health Index Score gradually improved from 9.5 ± 2.2 to 16.8 ± 2.8 (p < 0.001), the visual analog scale score for dyspareunia decreased from 8.9 ± 1.3 to 3.4 ± 2.1 (p < 0.001) and the Female Sexual Function Index increased from 8.6 ± 6.3 to 15.2 ± 8.1 (p < 0.001). At the end of treatment, only 15% women (p = 0.001 vs. pretreatment) had no intercourse due to pain. Benefits remained 30 days after last treatment. CONCLUSION: Vaginal oxygenation coupled with hyaluronic acid every 15 days improves VA, sexuality and urinary symptoms of breast cancer patients. Beside data confirmation, additional studies are needed to determine the best interval between treatments, the optimal length of treatment and the long-term duration of the benefits.