A general look at female orgasm and anorgasmia

Sexual dysfunctions in breast cancer patients: evidence in context

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.

Female Sexual Dysfunction

Female sexual dysfunction can drastically diminish quality of life for many women. It is estimated that in the United States 40% of women have sexual complaints. These conditions are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Terminology and classification systems of female sexual dysfunction can be confusing and complicated, which hampers the process of clinical diagnosis, making accurate diagnosis difficult. There are few treatment options available for female sexual dysfunctions, however, some interventions may be of benefit and are described. Additional treatments are in development. The development of clear clinical categories and diagnostic guidelines for female sexual dysfunction are of utmost importance and can be of great benefit for clinical and public health uses and disease-related research.

Female Sexual Dysfunction

Female sexual dysfunction can drastically diminish quality of life for many women. It is estimated that in the United States 40% of women have sexual complaints. These conditions are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. Terminology and classification systems of female sexual dysfunction can be confusing and complicated, which hampers the process of clinical diagnosis, making accurate diagnosis difficult. There are few treatment options available for female sexual dysfunctions, however, some interventions may be of benefit and are described. Additional treatments are in development. The development of clear clinical categories and diagnostic guidelines for female sexual dysfunction are of utmost importance and can be of great benefit for clinical and public health uses and disease-related research.