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YES® Guide: Understanding Cancer & Vaginal DrynessUpdated 23 days ago
Navigating Intimate Health after Breast Cancer or Gynaecological Cancers
As you recover from cancer, you may experience one of the unwelcome and often undiscussed side effects of cancer treatment – vaginal dryness, vaginal atrophy, or atrophic vaginitis. A drop in oestrogen level often causes these uncomfortable symptoms, leading to itching, irritation, and painful intercourse.
Studies show that as many as 70% of postmenopausal breast cancer survivors are affected by atrophic vaginitis [1], which is a thinning of the walls of the vagina due to a drop in oestrogen levels causing dryness, pain, and increased risk of infection.
Treating vaginal dryness caused by cancer treatment
A recent study by the British Menopause Society [1] on the management of oestrogen deficiency symptoms in women treated for breast cancer advises that the first-line treatment for vaginal dryness should be a vaginal moisturiser or lubricant. This should be offered to patients before any other treatments are considered.
The BMS also recommends that the moisturiser or lubricant given should not contain parabens due to their weak oestrogenic activity.