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Does pH-Balanced Vaginal Gel Improve Dyspareunia in Breast Cancer Survivors? 

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

  • Dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction often occur in breast cancer survivors following adjuvant therapy
  • Vaginal gels can be used as treatment for dyspareunia
  • This study by Kim et al. (Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2017) sought to determine if pH-balanced vaginal gel using allayed the symptoms of dyspareunia in breast cancer survivors who were premenopausal at the time of diagnosis

METHODS:

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Breast cancer survivors, who were diagnosed when they were premenopausal, and who experienced dyspareunia, were included in the study
    • 69 women were randomized to receive pH-balanced gel containing lactic acid
    • 67 women were randomized to receive a lactate-free placebo gel
  • The gel was applied 3 times weekly before bed, as well as before intercourse, for eight weeks

RESULTS:

  • Both groups demonstrated the following benefits although there were no differences between groups
    • Significant decrease in pain during intercourse
    • Significant improvement in overall Female Sexual Function Index score
    • Improvement in sexual dysfunction
  • In the pH-balanced group but not the placebo group:
    • Vaginal pH (indicator strip) decreased slightly (median from 6.5 to 5.5; P<.01)
    • Vaginal maturation index (sum of percentages of superficial cells, intermediate cells, and parabasal cells on smear) increased slightly (from 46.0 to 48.5; P<.01).
  • Neither group experienced severe adverse events

CONCLUSION:

  • pH-balanced vaginal gel is no better than a placebo gel for improving sexual function and dyspareunia in breast cancer survivors who were premenopausal at time of diagnosis

Learn More – Primary Sources:

Effect of a pH-Balanced Vaginal Gel on Dyspareunia and Sexual Function in Breast Cancer Survivors Who Were Premenopausal at Diagnosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

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