Gynecologic effects of tamoxifen: case reports and review of the literature.

The literature regarding the gynecologic effects of tamoxifen contains very little data on the vagina and lower urinary tract. The authors present two patients receiving tamoxifen who had gynecologic surgery complications that could be associated with tamoxifen use. Both patients had poor healing which improved when the tamoxifen was discontinued. Possible explanations are given for this observation based on what is known about this unusual drug. Owing to the success of tamoxifen in breast cancer patients, its use is currently being extended to include groups of healthy women at risk for the development of breast cancer. Because the number of women receiving tamoxifen may be increasing the authors include a review of its effects, with which all health care providers caring for women should be familiar.