Sexual quality of life assessment in young women with breast cancer during adjuvant endocrine therapy and patient-reported supportive measures

Purpose Sexual quality of life (QoL) is affected during and after breast cancer (BC) treatment. The purpose was to investigate sexual and global QoL and patient-reported measures to address this issue in young women (< 51 years) with BC after the acute treatment phase, during adjuvant endocrine therapy. Methods Three EORTC questionnaires and an additional specific questionnaire, developed for the study, were used to assess sexual and global QoL and patient-reported supportive measures in BC patients who had received their endocrine therapy for at least 24 months. Among the 54 eligible patients, 45 (83%) agreed to participate in the study. Results We showed a deterioration in sexual QoL and poor communication with healthcare professionals. Most patients (88.9%) declared that it was important that sexuality should be discussed with caregivers and that the partner should also be involved. Most patients (60%) had taken at least one action to overcome their sexual problems. Most of these interventions (63%) originated from the patient herself. Conclusions Sexual QoL is a major issue in young BC patients and is poorly addressed by healthcare professionals. Most of the supportive methods used by the patients to overcome these side effects were on their own initiative. Communication and counseling on sexuality by healthcare professionals need to be improved during BC treatment. Patients suggested supportive measures they would find useful and appropriate to develop in the clinic. The final goal is to improve the sexual QoL of BC patients with the appropriate intervention and support.

Vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: diagnosis and modern-day treatments

Статья посвящена изучению современных методов диагностики и лечения доброкачественных заболеваний вульвы и влагалища у женщин постменопаузального возраста. Проведен анализ этиологии, клинической картины, методов диагностики и лечения вульвовагинальной атрофии как наиболее часто встречающегося доброкачественного заболевания вульвы и влагалища в постменопаузе. Установлено, что основной фактор, приводящий к вульвовагинальной атрофии, — климактерический гормональный дисбаланс с постепенно нарастающим дефицитом эстрогенов. Женщины в постменопаузе отмечают такие признаки вульвовагинальной атрофии, как сухость влагалища, жжение и зуд, диспареуния, повышенная чувствительность к инфекционным болезням органов малого таза, что существенно усугубляет плохое самочувствие и отрицательное влияние на общее и сексуальное качество жизни. Диагностика вульвовагинальной атрофии основывается на данных осмотра, лабораторных и инструментальных исследованиях. Основная терапевтическая цель при лечении вульвовагинальной атрофии – облегчение симптомов и восстановление среды влагалища до здорового пременопаузального состояния. Золотым стандартом лечения вульвовагинальной атрофии является местная и системная терапия эстрогенами. Препараты заместительной гормональной терапии содействуют увеличению пролиферативных процессов, улучшению кровоснабжения, стремительной нормализации микрофлоры влагалища и могут назначаться с лечебной и профилактической целью. Для лечения вульвовагинальной атрофии у женщин, которым противопоказаны препараты эстрогена, используют селективные модуляторы рецепторов эстрогена. Препараты этой группы – оспемифеном и ласофоксифен способствуют облегчению симптомов атрофии влагалища и диспареунии, улучшению вагинального эпителия и pH влагалища. Также при маловыраженных симптомах улучшение состояния наступает при использовании негормональных вагинальных лубрикантов. Кроме того, существуют экспериментальные варианты вульвовагинального омоложения у женщин с симптомами, которым не подходят или которые не переносят местной или системной терапии эстрогенами: инъекции богатой тромбоцитами плазмы, гиалуроновая кислота или жировые имплантаты, фракционный лазер на диоксиде углерода, диодный лазер и монополярные радиочастотные устройства, вагинопластика. The article is devoted to the study of modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of benign diseases of the vulva and vagina in postmenopausal women. The analysis of the etiology, clinical picture, methods of diagnosis and treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy, as the most common benign disease of the vulva and vagina in postmenopausal women, has been carried out. It has been established that the main factor leading to vulvovaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women is climacteric hormonal imbalance with a gradually increasing estrogen deficiency. Postmenopausal women note such signs of vulvovaginal atrophy as vaginal dryness, burning and itching, dyspareunia, hypersensitivity to infectious diseases of the pelvic organs, which significantly aggravates the state of health, a negative effect on the general and sexual quality of life. Diagnosis of vulvovaginal atrophy is based on examination data, laboratory and instrumental studies. The main therapeutic goal in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy is to relieve symptoms and restore the vaginal environment to a healthy premenopausal state. The «gold standard» for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy is local and systemic estrogen therapy. HRT drugs contribute to an increase in proliferative processes, an improvement in blood supply, a rapid normalization of the vaginal microflora and can be prescribed for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. For the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy in women for whom estrogen preparations are contraindicated, selective estrogen receptor modulators are used. The drugs in this group, ospemifen and lasofoxifene, help to alleviate the symptoms of vaginal atrophy and dyspareunia, improve vaginal epithelium and vaginal pH. Also, with mild symptoms, an improvement in the condition occurs with the use of non-hormonal vaginal lubricants. In addition, there are experimental options for vulvovaginal rejuvenation in women with symptoms that do not fit or tolerate local or systemic estrogen therapy: platelet-rich plasma injections, hyaluronic acid or fat implants, fractional carbon dioxide laser, diode laser and monopolar radiofrequency devices, vaginoplasty.

The effect of sexual counseling on depression, anxiety, stress, sexual knowledge and sexual quality of life in men who have undergone invasive coronary interventions: An RCT

Background: Sexual dysfunctions are common in men with ischemic heart disease, especially in men undergoing therapeutic interventions. Objective: This study intended to assess the effect of counseling on depression, anxiety, stress, sexual knowledge and sexual quality of life in men after invasive coronary interventions in the post catheterization department of Kashan Shahid Beheshti Hospital during 2018. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 54 male participants who had undergone an invasive coronary intervention. The intervention group received counseling and the control group underwent the standard ward routine. Data were collected using the depression anxiety stress scales, Abraham’s sexual quality of life, and the Yi-Hung Sexual Knowledge questionnaires before discharge and also two months later. Results: Within two months, the intervention group’s mean score of sexual knowledge significantly increased, compared with the control group, from 12.37 to 14.81 (p ≤ 0.001). The intervention group’s mean score of sexual quality of life also significantly increased, compared with the control group, from 48.2 to 60.7 (p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, the mean anxiety score changed in the intervention group from 11.18 to 5.25, again a significant difference compared with the control group (p = 0.01). But, the differences in the depression and stress scores were not significant. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that sexual counseling may improve sexual knowledge, sexual quality of life and anxiety in men following invasive coronary intervention, but might not reduce their stress or depression. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. Key words: Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, Coronary artery bypass graft, Life quality, Depression, Anxiety neuroses, Sex counseling.

Bothersome Hematospermia Following Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

BackgroundHematospermia following prostate radiation therapy is a benign and often self-limiting side effect. However, it may be bothersome to some men and their partners with a negative impact on sexual quality of life (QOL). This study sought to evaluate the incidence, duration, and resolution of hematospermia in patients following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for prostate cancer.Methods227 patients treated with SBRT from 2013 to 2019 at Georgetown University Hospital for localized prostate carcinoma with a minimum follow up of two years were included in this retrospective review of data that was prospectively collected. Patients who were greater than 70 years old and/or received hormonal therapy were excluded. Hematospermia was defined as bright red blood in the ejaculate. Time points for data collection included initial consultation, pre-treatment, 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 18-, 24-month. All patients were treated with the CyberKnife Radiosurgical System (Accuray). Data on hematospermia including duration, resolution and recurrence was collected. Utilization of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors was documented at each visit.Results227 patients (45 low-, 177 intermediate-, and 5 high-risk according to the D’Amico classification) at a median age of 65 years (range 47-70) received SBRT for their localized prostate cancer. The 2-year cumulative incidence of hematospermia was 5.6%(14 patients). For these patients, all but one patient (93%) saw resolution of their hematospermia by two years post-SBRT. The median time for hematospermia was 9 months post-treatment. Of the 14 patients who reported hematospermia, 70% were managed with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Hematospermia was transient in most patients with 70% of the men reporting resolution by the next follow-up visit.ConclusionThe incidence of bothersome hematospermia following SBRT was low. Hematospermia, as noted by other studies, often self-resolves. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may lead to quicker resolution of bothersome hematospermia.