Intravaginal Testosterone Improves Sexual Satisfaction and Vaginal Symptoms Associated With Aromatase Inhibitors

The study from September 14, 2018, examined the impact of intravaginal testosterone (IVT) on sexual satisfaction and vaginal symptoms in postmenopausal women undergoing breast cancer treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AIs). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 44 women initially enrolled, resulted in 37 providing evaluable data. The participants were divided into two groups, with 21 receiving IVT cream (300 µg per dose) and 16 receiving a placebo over a 26-week period. The primary measure was the change in sexual satisfaction scores on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The findings indicated that the IVT group experienced a significant improvement in FSFI satisfaction scores, sexual concerns, responsiveness, vaginal dryness, and dyspareunia, without any change in serum sex steroid levels. There was no significant effect on urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms. The study concluded that IVT significantly improved sexual satisfaction and reduced dyspareunia in postmenopausal women on AI therapy, suggesting that low-dose IVT could be a beneficial treatment for these symptoms without estrogenic effects.