OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate sexual function in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among postmenopausal breast cancer patients on adjuvant endocrine treatment and age-matched controls with and without estrogen treatment. Sexual function was assessed with a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: In all, 42.4% of aromatase inhibitor-treated breast cancer patients were dissatisfied with their sex life in general, and 50.0% reported low sexual interest; this was significantly more common than in tamoxifen-treated patients and controls (P < 0.05). Aromatase inhibitor-treated patients reported insufficient lubrication in 73.9% and dyspareunia in 56.5% of cases, which were significantly more common than in controls, irrespective of hormonal use (P < 0.05). Tamoxifen-treated patients reported significantly more dyspareunia (31.3%; P < 0.05) but resembled controls in all other concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that sexual dysfunction in aromatase inhibitor-treated women is a greatly underestimated problem.
OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate sexual function in postmenopausal breast cancerpatients treated with aromatase inhibitors. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among postmenopausal breast cancerpatients on adjuvant endocrine treatment and age-matched controls with and without estrogen treatment. Sexual function was assessed with a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: In all, 42.4% of aromatase inhibitor-treated breast cancerpatients were dissatisfied with their sex life in general, and 50.0% reported low sexual interest; this was significantly more common than in tamoxifen-treated patients and controls (P < 0.05). Aromatase inhibitor-treated patients reported insufficient lubrication in 73.9% and dyspareunia in 56.5% of cases, which were significantly more common than in controls, irrespective of hormonal use (P < 0.05). Tamoxifen-treated patients reported significantly more dyspareunia (31.3%; P < 0.05) but resembled controls in all other concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that sexual dysfunction in aromatase inhibitor-treated women is a greatly underestimated problem.
Authors: Adele Duimering; Lauren M Walker; Jill Turner; Elisha Andrews-Lepine; Amy Driga; Ashley Ayume; John W Robinson; Ericka Wiebe Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-08-19 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Leslie R Schover; George P Baum; Lisa A Fuson; Abenaa Brewster; Amal Melhem-Bertrandt Journal: J Sex Med Date: 2014-08-21 Impact factor: 3.802
Authors: Juliane Farthmann; A Hanjalic-Beck; J Veit; B Rautenberg; E Stickeler; T Erbes; M Földi; A Hasenburg Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2016-01-04 Impact factor: 3.603