Management of Genital Symptoms

Genitourinary symptoms including vaginal dryness, itch, and dyspareunia in peri- and postmenopausal women may be more common in breast cancer survivors. With increasing survival rates, survivorship issues such as the management of genitourinary symptoms are becoming increasingly important to improve quality of life after cancer. While vaginal estrogen is the most effective treatment for vaginal dryness in the general menopausal population, its safety and efficacy in the breast cancer population has not been established. Consequently, the management of genitourinary symptoms in these patients requires a multidisciplinary and patient-centered approach involving conservative and non-hormonal management and judicious consideration of hormonal treatments. This chapter will outline the physiology, assessment and management options for genital symptoms after breast cancer.