Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is more prevalent in breast cancer survivors yet is often undiagnosed and untreated. The lack of safety evidence for vaginal hormone therapies in women with or at high risk for breast cancer often results in the lack of treatment, which can adversely affect quality of life and intimate relationships. A consensus panel of 16 experts from the North American Menopause Society and the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health therefore undertook an iterative process which included literature reviews, presentations, debate, and discussion of divergent opinions to develop consensus recommendations for clinicians. The recommendations were published in June (2018) in Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society.
The panel concluded that nonhormonal treatments are generally first-line therapies for treating GSM in women with or at high risk for breast cancer. The article provides recommendations for specific patient populations including women with a high risk for breast cancer, women with ER-positive breast cancers, women with triple-negative breast cancers, and women with metastatic disease.
Faubion S, Larkin L, Stuenkel C, Bachmann G et al. Management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in women with or at high risk for breast cancer. Consensus recommendations from The North American Menopause Society and The International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. Menopause. 2018;25(6):596-608.