Menopause is usually associated, and when it occurs naturally, with a varied group of symptoms such as hot flashes, irritability, insomnia and vaginal dryness.
In women treated for breast cancer there are special circumstances that make these symptoms even more difficult to tolerate:
- On the one hand, there are more and more cases diagnosed in young women who, after being subjected to chemotherapy or hormone therapy treatments, lose menstruation and, therefore, the influence of estrogens.
- On the other hand, being a tumor that is associated with the presence of estrogens, any of the therapies to improve menopausal symptoms that contain this hormone are contraindicated.
Vaginal dryness: a symptom that goes unnoticed
One of the symptoms that most affects the quality of life of patients, although it often goes unnoticed due to embarrassment or ignorance, is vaginal dryness.
Vaginal dryness is probably the most common symptom of women in the vital stage of menopause. It is striking that, despite being the most frequent, it is the least commented by women, probably because the symptoms begin to be noticed in the sexual sphere and, unfortunately, there are still many social taboos in this regard.
Besides being the most frequent symptom, vaginal dryness does not improve spontaneously. If left untreated, it evolves for the worse, causing symptoms of itching and discomfort in the long run, even without having sexual intercourse.
That is why it is essential for women to know that today there are multiple solutions for vaginal dryness. And, more interestingly, multiple non-hormonal solutions to treat it. This is especially important in the group of women treated for breast cancer.
Non-hormonal treatments for vaginal dryness
Within the new non-hormonal treatments for vaginal dryness we have a tool that is giving very good results, with virtually no side effects and no major complications published to date. It is the vaginal laser treatment.
In recent years several articles have been published showing that they are effective and safe treatments for this group of women. It is a treatment that is performed in consultation by the specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, without anesthesia, because it is not painful. It is only recommended to avoid sexual intercourse the week after applying the laser.
The complete treatment for vaginal dryness consists of three sessions of 10-15 minutes each and are separated between four-six weeks to give the vaginal tissue the possibility to regenerate and be able to receive a new stimulation, thus enhancing the effect of the previous one.
There is scientific evidence that shows that there is a significant improvement in the symptoms of vaginal dryness, pain with sexual intercourse and vaginal health, and that this improvement is maintained for about 12 months. If all the latest generation laser equipment is available, each woman can be offered the treatment that best suits her circumstances (age, years of menopause, condition of the vaginal mucosa).