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.

【摘要】

目的:本研究旨在评价阴道氧结合透明质酸对乳腺癌幸存者生殖泌尿系统症状的疗效。方法:患者均为登记在一所大学医院的更年期门诊。研究对象包括关系稳定、因雌激素不足而导致阴道萎缩(VA)的乳腺癌患者。自然氧进入阴道15分钟, 最后5分钟加入2%的透明质酸溶液。重复治疗5次, 每15天一次。结果:在40名乳腺癌患者中, 65%的患者因疼痛而没有发生性行为。治疗期间, 阴道健康指数由9.5±2.2分逐渐改善至16.8±2.8分(p<0.001), 性交困难视觉模拟量表评分由8.9±1.3分下降至3.4±2.1分(p<0.001), 女性性功能指数由8.6±6.3分上升至15.2±8.1分(p<0.001)。治疗结束时, 只有15%的女性(p=0.001比治疗前)因疼痛而没有性交。疗效在最后一次治疗后30天仍然有效。结论:阴道氧结合透明质酸每15天一次可改善乳腺癌患者VA、性、尿路症状。除了数据确认外, 还需要更多的研究来确定最佳治疗间隔、最佳治疗时间和长期受益持续时间。

Keywords:

• Vaginal atrophy
• genito-urinary syndrome of menopause
• breast cancer
• endocrine adjuvant therapy
• oxygen
• hyaluronic acid
• sexuality
• low urinary tract symptoms

Potential conflict of interest

The device was provided to the department by the producers (CaressFlow SRL). None of the investigators received personal financial support from CaressFlow SRL. The company was not involved in this study’s data analysis or in the manuscript preparation.

M. L. reports an advisory role for Roche, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Astrazeneca, MSD, Seagen and Gilead, and speaker honoraria from Roche, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, Ipsen, Libbs, Knight and Takeda, all outside the submitted work. L.D.M. reports non-financial support from Roche, Celgene and Pfizer, and personal fees from Genomic Health, Pfizer, Seattle Genetics, Pierre Fabre, Lilly, Roche, Novartis, MSD, Eisai, Ipsen and Takeda, all outside the submitted work. All other authors report no conflict of interest to declare.

Source of funding

Nil.

Data availability statement

There are no linked research data sets for this article. Data will be made available on request.