Sexual dysfunctions in breast cancer patients: evidence in context.
Sex Med Rev
; 11(3): 179-195, 2023 06 27.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37076125
INTRODUCTION: In breast cancer patients, endocrine therapy may exert a negative impact on sexual functioning in both genders, with potentially relevant consequences concerning quality of life and treatment adherence. The availability of effective interventions to maintain and/or restore sexual health in breast cancer patients is a key issue to a research agenda. OBJECTIVES: To summarize and critically discuss the most updated and qualitatively relevant literature on the therapeutic approach to sexual impairment in breast cancer patients, with a focus on patients treated with endocrine therapy. METHODS: We searched PubMed from its inception to February 2022 for observational and intervention trials including participants with sexual dysfunctions. We were particularly interested in studies of breast cancer patients with sexual dysfunctions while undergoing endocrine therapy. We developed a search strategy with the aim of maximizing the number of articles considered for screening and potential inclusion. RESULTS: Forty-five studies were selected: 3 observational and 42 intervention studies. Thirty-five studies were exclusively focused on female breast cancer populations. We could not identify studies exclusively focused on or also including male breast cancer patients. Overall, in female patients, the available armamentarium encompasses vaginal lubricants, moisturizers, estrogens, dehydroepiandrosterone, CO2 laser, ospemifene, and counseling. None of these interventions has been demonstrated to completely solve sexual dysfunctions when singularly considered. More favorable outcomes have come from the combination of different therapies. CONCLUSION: In female breast cancer, future research is oriented toward the gain of evidence on combined therapies and long-term data on safety issues on the most promising interventions. The lack of evidence on sexual disturbances in male breast cancer patients remains a major concern.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Disfunciones Sexuales Fisiológicas
/
Neoplasias de la Mama Masculina
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sex Med Rev
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia
Pais de publicación:
Países Bajos