Topical Hyaluronic Acid Vaginal Therapy as an Alternative to Standard of Care Estrogen Therapy in Treatment of Vaginal Dryness Among Cancer Survivors: An Integrative Review
摘要
Vaginal dryness is a common adverse effect from hormone suppression therapy in female breast cancer survivors. While vaginal estrogen cream is the first-line therapy for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), concerns about increasing recurrence risk make its use controversial among breast cancer patients. Hyaluronic acid (HA) vaginal therapy has shown comparable efficacy to topical estrogen therapy in managing GSM, but limited research exists on its use in cancer survivors. To address this lack in evidence, this review asks: among female patients who experience vaginal dryness associated with menopause, breast cancer treatment, or endometrial cancer treatment, does HA vaginal therapy alleviate vaginal dryness or improve sexual function?
Recent FindingsStudies demonstrated topical HA vaginal therapy to have comparable efficacy with estrogen therapy for managing GSM and supported HA vaginal therapy as a safe and effective treatment for vaginal dryness and dyspareunia among breast and endometrial cancer survivors.
SummaryTopical HA vaginal therapy is an effective alternative to estrogen therapy for managing vaginal atrophy and dyspareunia associated with menopause, breast cancer treatment, and endometrial cancer treatment, and is an appropriate alternative treatment for patients in whom hormonal therapy is contraindicated or not preferred. These conclusions highlight the potential of HA vaginal therapy in addressing oncology treatment-related vaginal dryness and support further research on its role in survivorship care and sexual health.