CO2 Laser Therapy Improves Sex life in postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer

Fractional CO2 laser therapy is a nonhormone treatment approach for GSM that remodels vulvar and vaginal tissues. Early results indicate that the procedure is safe and effective. In this newest study, CO2 laser therapy appears to have reduced sexual function problems at the 4-week follow-up visit. Specifically, improvements were noted in sexual function in the areas of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain. At the 4-week follow-up visit, additional improvements occurred with regard to a woman's interest in sex and her level of sexual activity. Although sexual function scores were lower at 1 year than at 4 weeks and indicated that women continued to experience sexual problems, they remained significantly improved compared with baseline. Follow-up will be conducted again in 2 years to better identify the long-term effectiveness of laser therapy.

Although this new study was small, it provides valuable insights for healthcare providers treating postmenopausal women, especially postmenopausal women who are survivors of breast cancer. Additional, larger-scale studies will be needed to fully explore the long-term potential of fractional CO2 laser therapy for the treatment of GSM and associated sexual problems.

Study results appear in the article "Patient-reported sexual function of breast cancer survivors with genitourinary syndrome of menopause after fractional CO2 laser therapy."

"This study highlights the issue of sexual dysfunction affecting most survivors of breast cancer and the potential role for CO2 laser therapy in the treatment of GSM and related sexual problems. Additional study is needed to better understand the long-term safety and efficacy of this therapy," says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director and one of the authors of the study.