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The Journal of Sexual Medicine Dec 2022Besides experiencing vasomotor symptoms, after surgical menopause and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), women experience moderate to severe psychological and sexual... (Review)
Review
Surgical Menopause and Bilateral Oophorectomy: Effect of Estrogen-Progesterone and Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Psychological Well-being and Sexual Functioning; A Systematic Literature Review.
BACKGROUND
Besides experiencing vasomotor symptoms, after surgical menopause and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), women experience moderate to severe psychological and sexual symptoms.
AIMS
To systematically review and meta-analyze the effect of systemic hormone replacement therapy (sHRT) on psychological well-being and sexual functioning in women after surgical menopause and BSO.
METHODS
Medline/Pubmed, EMBASE and PsychInfo were systematically searched until November 2021. Randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of sHRT on psychological well-being and/or sexual functioning in surgically menopausal women and women after BSO were eligible for inclusion. Two independent authors performed study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated.
OUTCOMES
Primary outcomes for psychological well-being were defined as overall psychological well-being, depression, and anxiety. Primary outcomes for sexual functioning were defined as overall sexual functioning, sexual desire, and sexual satisfaction. All outcomes were assessed on short (≤12 weeks) or medium term (13-26 weeks).
RESULTS
Twelve studies were included. Estradiol had a beneficial effect on depressed mood on short term 3-6 years after surgery or 2 years (median) after surgery with high heterogeneity (SMD: -1.37, 95%CI: -2.38 to -0.37, P = .007, I 79%). Testosterone had a beneficial effect on overall sexual functioning on short to medium term 4.6 years (mean) after surgery (SMD 0.38, 95%CI 0.11-0.65, I 0%) and on sexual desire on medium term at least 3-12 months after surgery (SMD 0.38, 95%CI 0.19-0.56, I 54%). For most studies, risk of bias was uncertain.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
Estradiol may beneficially affect psychological symptoms after surgical menopause or BSO and testosterone might improve sexual desire and overall sexual functioning.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
This review only included patient-reported outcomes, thereby reflected perceived and not simply objective symptoms in surgically menopausal women and women after BSO. The small number of studies highly varied in nature and bias could not be excluded, therefore our results should be interpreted with great caution.
CONCLUSION
Independent randomized controlled clinical trials investigating the effects of estrogen-progesterone and testosterone on psychological and sexual symptoms after surgical menopause are needed.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42019136698. Stuursma A, Lanjouw L, Idema DL, et al. Surgical Menopause and Bilateral Oophorectomy: Effect of Estrogen-Progesterone and Testosterone Replacement Therapy on Psychological Well-being and Sexual Functioning: A Systematic Literature Review. J Sex Med 2022;19:1778-1789.
Topics: Humans; Female; Progesterone; Quality of Life; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Menopause; Ovariectomy; Estrogens; Testosterone; Estradiol
PubMed: 36175351
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.08.191 -
American Journal of Obstetrics and... Jan 2024This study aimed to provide an up-to-date systematic review of "the long-term outcomes of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy" and perform a... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to provide an up-to-date systematic review of "the long-term outcomes of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy at the time of hysterectomy" and perform a meta-analysis for the reported associations.
DATA SOURCES
Our study updated a previous systematic review by searching the literature using PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for publications between January 2015 and August 2022.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Our study included studies of women who had a hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy vs women who had a hysterectomy with ovarian conservation or no surgery.
METHODS
The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations. Adjusted hazard ratios were extracted and combined to obtain fixed effect estimates.
RESULTS
Compared with hysterectomy or no surgery, hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in young women was associated with decreased risk of breast cancer (hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-0.84) but with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.47). In addition, it was associated with an increased risk of total cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart disease, and stroke with hazard ratios of 1.18 (95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.25), 1.17 (95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.25), and 1.20 (95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.31), respectively. Compared with no surgery, hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy before the age of 50 years was associated with an increased risk of hyperlipidemia (hazard ratio, 1.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-1.65), diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.24), hypertension (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.20), dementia (hazard ratio, 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.69), and depression (hazard ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-1.60). The evidence on the association with all-cause mortality in young women showed substantial heterogeneity between the studies (I=85%; P<.01).
CONCLUSION
Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was associated with multiple long-term outcomes. The benefits of the addition of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy to hysterectomy should be balanced against the risks.
Topics: Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Salpingo-oophorectomy; Ovariectomy; Hysterectomy; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus
PubMed: 37364803
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.06.043 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Apr 2018Recent progress in understanding the genetic basis of breast cancer and widely publicized reports of celebrities undergoing risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) have increased... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Recent progress in understanding the genetic basis of breast cancer and widely publicized reports of celebrities undergoing risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) have increased interest in RRM as a method of preventing breast cancer. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2004 and previously updated in 2006 and 2010.
OBJECTIVES
(i) To determine whether risk-reducing mastectomy reduces death rates from any cause in women who have never had breast cancer and in women who have a history of breast cancer in one breast, and (ii) to examine the effect of risk-reducing mastectomy on other endpoints, including breast cancer incidence, breast cancer mortality, disease-free survival, physical morbidity, and psychosocial outcomes.
SEARCH METHODS
For this Review update, we searched Cochrane Breast Cancer's Specialized Register, MEDLINE, Embase and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) on 9 July 2016. We included studies in English.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Participants included women at risk for breast cancer in at least one breast. Interventions included all types of mastectomy performed for the purpose of preventing breast cancer.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
At least two review authors independently abstracted data from each report. We summarized data descriptively; quantitative meta-analysis was not feasible due to heterogeneity of study designs and insufficient reporting. We analyzed data separately for bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy (BRRM) and contralateral risk-reducing mastectomy (CRRM). Four review authors assessed the methodological quality to determine whether or not the methods used sufficiently minimized selection bias, performance bias, detection bias, and attrition bias.
MAIN RESULTS
All 61 included studies were observational studies with some methodological limitations; randomized trials were absent. The studies presented data on 15,077 women with a wide range of risk factors for breast cancer, who underwent RRM.Twenty-one BRRM studies looking at the incidence of breast cancer or disease-specific mortality, or both, reported reductions after BRRM, particularly for those women with BRCA1/2 mutations. Twenty-six CRRM studies consistently reported reductions in incidence of contralateral breast cancer but were inconsistent about improvements in disease-specific survival. Seven studies attempted to control for multiple differences between intervention groups and showed no overall survival advantage for CRRM. Another study showed significantly improved survival following CRRM, but after adjusting for bilateral risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (BRRSO), the CRRM effect on all-cause mortality was no longer significant.Twenty studies assessed psychosocial measures; most reported high levels of satisfaction with the decision to have RRM but greater variation in satisfaction with cosmetic results. Worry over breast cancer was significantly reduced after BRRM when compared both to baseline worry levels and to the groups who opted for surveillance rather than BRRM, but there was diminished satisfaction with body image and sexual feelings.Seventeen case series reporting on adverse events from RRM with or without reconstruction reported rates of unanticipated reoperations from 4% in those without reconstruction to 64% in participants with reconstruction.In women who have had cancer in one breast, removing the other breast may reduce the incidence of cancer in that other breast, but there is insufficient evidence that this improves survival because of the continuing risk of recurrence or metastases from the original cancer. Additionally, thought should be given to other options to reduce breast cancer risk, such as BRRSO and chemoprevention, when considering RRM.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
While published observational studies demonstrated that BRRM was effective in reducing both the incidence of, and death from, breast cancer, more rigorous prospective studies are suggested. BRRM should be considered only among those at high risk of disease, for example, BRCA1/2 carriers. CRRM was shown to reduce the incidence of contralateral breast cancer, but there is insufficient evidence that CRRM improves survival, and studies that control for multiple confounding variables are recommended. It is possible that selection bias in terms of healthier, younger women being recommended for or choosing CRRM produces better overall survival numbers for CRRM. Given the number of women who may be over-treated with BRRM/CRRM, it is critical that women and clinicians understand the true risk for each individual woman before considering surgery. Additionally, thought should be given to other options to reduce breast cancer risk, such as BRRSO and chemoprevention when considering RRM.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Female; Genes, BRCA1; Genes, BRCA2; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Humans; Observational Studies as Topic; Patient Satisfaction; Postoperative Complications; Prophylactic Mastectomy; Risk Assessment; Unilateral Breast Neoplasms
PubMed: 29620792
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002748.pub4 -
Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology May 2022To evaluate the efficacy of different hormone therapies in preventing postoperative endometrioma recurrence. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of different hormone therapies in preventing postoperative endometrioma recurrence.
DATA SOURCES
The MEDLINE, COCHRANE, and Embase electronic databases were searched from inception to 30 April 2021.
METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies including reproductive age women with endometriosis undergoing ovarian cystectomy or excision of endometriotic lesions compared the effects of postoperative adjuvant therapy (gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist [GnRHa]) and postoperative maintenance hormone interventions for more than 1 year (i.e., oral contraceptive pills [OCPs], dienogest [DNG], levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system [LNGIUS]) on endometrioma recurrence.
TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS
Data collection and analysis of the data were independently performed 2 two reviewers. A total of 11 studies were included, of which 2 were RCTs, and 9 were cohort studies. There were 2394 patients with 6 interventions (cases: 1665, 69.6%) and expectant management (cases: 729, 30.4%). Relative treatment effects were estimated using network meta-analysis and ranked in descending order. The clinical effectiveness of these drugs (vs expectant management) was as follows: GnRHa plus DNG (odds ratio [OR], 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.27), surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) = 94.0; DNG (OR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.04-0.32), SUCRA = 69.7; GnRHa plus OCP (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02-0.64), SUCRA = 63.4; GnRHa plus LNGIUS (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03-0.66), SUCRA = 59.4; and OCP (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.13-0.36), SUCRA = 43.6. The effectiveness of GnRHa (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.12-1.89), SUCRA = 17.3 was not significantly different from that of controls.
CONCLUSION
In network meta-analysis, combined postoperative adjuvant therapy and longer maintenance hormone treatment are better than a single agent in preventing postoperative endometrioma recurrence. GnRHa plus DNG maintenance treatment might be the most effective intervention. Large-scale RCTs of these agents are still required.
Topics: Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Network Meta-Analysis; Ovariectomy; Postoperative Period
PubMed: 35123042
DOI: 10.1016/j.jmig.2021.11.024 -
Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical... Jul 2021BRCA mutation carriers have an increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO) is associated with a decrease...
PURPOSE
BRCA mutation carriers have an increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO) is associated with a decrease in risk for tubal and ovarian cancer. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may increase breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer risk in the general population. This review analyses the published data on HRT and risk of cancer in BRCA mutation carriers with and without RRBSO.
METHODS
We included all relevant articles published in English from 1995 to October 2020. Sources were identified through a search on PubMed and Cochrane Library.
RESULTS
We included one case-control and one retrospective cohort study on ovarian and one case-control study on endometrial cancer risk and HRT in BRCA mutation carriers. Regarding breast cancer risk, one case-control study on BRCA mutation carriers with and without RRBSO and one case-control study, one Markov chain decision model, two prospective cohort studies, and one metaanalysis on carriers after RRBSO were included. For ovarian cancer, results were ambiguous. For breast cancer, most studies did not find an adverse effect associated with HRT. However, some of the studies found a risk modification associated with different formulations and duration of use.
CONCLUSION
Although data are limited, HRT does not seem to have a relevant effect on cancer risk in BRCA mutation carriers. RRBSO should not be postponed to avoid subsequent HRT in this population. Adequate HRT after RRBSO should be offered to avoid chronic diseases resulting from low estrogen levels. However, further data on the safety of different formulations are needed.
Topics: BRCA1 Protein; BRCA2 Protein; Breast Neoplasms; Endometrial Neoplasms; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Heterozygote; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Mutation; Ovarian Neoplasms
PubMed: 33885953
DOI: 10.1007/s00432-021-03629-z -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... Jun 2022After risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), / pathogenic variant (PV) carriers have a residual risk to develop peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). The etiology of PC... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
PURPOSE
After risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO), / pathogenic variant (PV) carriers have a residual risk to develop peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). The etiology of PC is not yet clarified, but may be related to serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), the postulated origin for high-grade serous cancer. In this systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis, we investigate the risk of PC in women with and without STIC at RRSO.
METHODS
Unpublished data from three centers were supplemented by studies identified in a systematic review of EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane library describing women with a -PV with and without STIC at RRSO until September 2020. Primary outcome was the hazard ratio for the risk of PC between -PV carriers with and without STIC at RRSO, and the corresponding 5- and 10-year risks. Primary analysis was based on a one-stage Cox proportional-hazards regression with a frailty term for study.
RESULTS
From 17 studies, individual patient data were available for 3,121 women, of whom 115 had a STIC at RRSO. The estimated hazard ratio to develop PC during follow-up in women with STIC was 33.9 (95% CI, 15.6 to 73.9), < .001) compared with women without STIC. For women with STIC, the five- and ten-year risks to develop PC were 10.5% (95% CI, 6.2 to 17.2) and 27.5% (95% CI, 15.6 to 43.9), respectively, whereas the corresponding risks were 0.3% (95% CI, 0.2 to 0.6) and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.6 to 1.4) for women without STIC at RRSO.
CONCLUSION
-PV carriers with STIC at RRSO have a strongly increased risk to develop PC which increases over time, although current data are limited by small numbers of events.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous; Fallopian Tube Neoplasms; Female; Heterozygote; Humans; Mutation; Ovarian Neoplasms; Ovariectomy; Peritoneal Neoplasms; Salpingo-oophorectomy
PubMed: 35302882
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.21.02016 -
Journal of Women's Health (2002) Feb 2019There is a new appreciation of the perimenopause-defined as the early and late menopause transition stages as well as the early postmenopause-as a window of...
There is a new appreciation of the perimenopause-defined as the early and late menopause transition stages as well as the early postmenopause-as a window of vulnerability for the development of both depressive symptoms and major depressive episodes. However, clinical recommendations on how to identify, characterize and treat clinical depression are lacking. To address this gap, an expert panel was convened to systematically review the published literature and develop guidelines on the evaluation and management of perimenopausal depression. The areas addressed included: (1) epidemiology; (2) clinical presentation; (3) therapeutic effects of antidepressants; (4) effects of hormone therapy; and (5) efficacy of other therapies (e.g., psychotherapy, exercise, and natural health products). Overall, evidence generally suggests that most midlife women who experience a major depressive episode during the perimenopause have experienced a prior episode of depression. Midlife depression presents with classic depressive symptoms commonly in combination with menopause symptoms (i.e., vasomotor symptoms, sleep disturbance), and psychosocial challenges. Menopause symptoms complicate, co-occur, and overlap with the presentation of depression. Diagnosis involves identification of menopausal stage, assessment of co-occurring psychiatric and menopause symptoms, appreciation of the psychosocial factors common in midlife, differential diagnoses, and the use of validated screening instruments. Proven therapeutic options for depression (i.e., antidepressants, psychotherapy) are the front-line treatments for perimenopausal depression. Although estrogen therapy is not approved to treat perimenopausal depression, there is evidence that it has antidepressant effects in perimenopausal women, particularly those with concomitant vasomotor symptoms. Data on estrogen plus progestin are sparse and inconclusive.
Topics: Adult; Antidepressive Agents; Depression; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Female; Hot Flashes; Humans; Hysterectomy; Menopause; Middle Aged; Ovariectomy; Perimenopause; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency; Risk Factors; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 30182804
DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2018.27099.mensocrec -
Risk of colorectal cancer with hysterectomy and oophorectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.International Journal of Surgery... Oct 2016Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide in females. Sex hormones may play a protective effect in CRC pathogenesis. Ovarian sex... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide in females. Sex hormones may play a protective effect in CRC pathogenesis. Ovarian sex steroid levels are reduced in premenopausal women after hysterectomy. Prospective studies have revealed an 80% decrease in serum oestradiol levels after bilateral oophorectomy in premenopausal women. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between hysterectomy or oophorectomy and risk of CRC.
METHODS
We estimated relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) with the meta-analysis. Cochran's Q test and Higgins I statistic were used to check for heterogeneity. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed as were Egger's and Begg's tests and the "trim-and-fill" method for publication bias analysis.
RESULTS
Risk of CRC was increased 30% for women undergoing oophorectomy relative to the general population and 24% with hysterectomy relative to no surgery. The risk was increased 22% with hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoo-ophorectomy as compared with simple hysterectomy. On subgroup analysis, risk of rectal cancer was increased 28% and colon cancer 19% with hysterectomy. Europeans seem to be sensitive to the risk of CRC, with 27% increased risk after hysterectomy. The risk of CRC after oophorectomy gradually increased with age at oophorectomy. The risk was greater with bilateral oophorectomy, with 36% increased risk, than unilateral oophorectomy, with 20% increased risk. Risk was increased 66% with time since oophorectomy 1-4 years as compared with 5-9 and ≥ 10 years.
CONCLUSIONS
Risk of CRC was increased for women undergoing hysterectomy or oophorectomy. Women with susceptibility genes for ovarian cancer or metrocarcinoma should choose oophorectomy or hysterectomy. For women not at high risk for these cancers, oophorectomy or hysterectomy should not be recommended for increasing the subsequent risk of CRC.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Colorectal Neoplasms; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Hysterectomy; Middle Aged; Ovariectomy; Premenopause; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors
PubMed: 27568653
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2016.08.518 -
European Journal of Obstetrics,... Oct 2021In the absence of an effective screening test, women with a high genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer are recommended to undergo risk-reducing bilateral... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The impact of risk reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy on sexual function in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and women with Lynch syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
In the absence of an effective screening test, women with a high genetic predisposition for ovarian cancer are recommended to undergo risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (RRBSO) once childbearing is complete. This reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 96%, but can result in undesirable side effects, including menopausal symptoms and sexual dysfunction. We have performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of RRBSO on sexual function in women at high risk of breast/and or ovarian cancer.
METHODS
A literature search of the AMED (Allied and complementary medicine), Embase and Medline databases was performed, using search terms including sexual function, risk reducing and oophorectomy. Results were filtered according to the PRISMA protocol. Quality assessment of studies was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Data were pooled in meta-analysis.
RESULTS
There were 21 eligible studies, 10 of which reported sufficient data for meta-analysis. Most studies were retrospective cohort or observational studies. Fifteen of the 21 studies (71%) reported a negative impact of RRBSO on sexual function. Participant numbers ranged from 37 to 1522. Meta-analysis was performed with studies including 3201 patients. This demonstrated that RRBSO has a statistically significant negative impact on sexual function (SMD -0.63, [-0.82, -0.44], p = 0.03). There was a trend towards reduced sexual pleasure and increased discomfort but this did not reach statistical significance. There was minimal change in the frequency of sex. There was a significant increase in vaginal dryness post-RRBSO (SMD 9.25, [3.66, 14.83], p < 0.00001). There was no significant difference in sexual function between pre-menopausal and post-menopausal RRBSO. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) did not abolish this negative impact.
CONCLUSION
Sexual function declines post RRBSO, independent of menopausal status. Comprehensive pre-operative counselling regarding anticipated menopausal and sexual symptoms is key to setting realistic patient expectations and minimising post-operative distress. Information and support regarding management of these side effects should be available to all patients.
Topics: BRCA1 Protein; Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis; Female; Humans; Mutation; Ovarian Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; Salpingo-oophorectomy
PubMed: 34416580
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.08.001 -
Sexual Medicine Reviews Dec 2023Preventative surgical procedures for patients who are breast cancer (BRCA) positive-namely, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and mastectomy-have been linked to changes in...
Prophylactic mastectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in patients with breast cancer: a systematic review of postsurgical sexual function and menopausal hormone therapy symptom mitigation.
INTRODUCTION
Preventative surgical procedures for patients who are breast cancer (BRCA) positive-namely, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and mastectomy-have been linked to changes in sexual function, including surgically induced menopause. A patient's decision to undergo preventive surgery as opposed to high-risk screening is heavily reliant on advice received from one's health care provider. Quality of life should be considered when shared decision making is conducted with patients.
OBJECTIVES
To assemble and analyze findings related to patient-reported sexual function after these surgical procedures, to see if and how either procedure affects sexual function from patient baseline, and to determine whether the effects can be mitigated with menopausal hormone therapy.
METHODS
A literature review based on the PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE databases was conducted from inception through January 25, 2022. To be included, studies had to meet an a priori list of Medical Subject Headings: "BRCA" AND "sexual dysfunction" OR "dyspareunia." GRADE criteria were used to determine the quality of studies relating to menopause hormone therapy.
RESULTS
The search yielded 14 results, and 11 reported sufficient data for systematic review. Sexual function was measured via validated and investigator-generated surveys. All studies, no matter the survey metric, found significant reduction in sexual function with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; no studies revealed sexual function changes associated with mastectomy postsurgery. Few studies indicated that menopause hormone therapy resulted in significant improvement in sexual function, and all studies reported that postoperative sexual function could not reach baseline levels with therapy. No studies were high quality by GRADE metrics.
CONCLUSION
Prophylactic mastectomies and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies among patients who are BRCA positive cause SF changes postprocedure. Menopausal hormone therapy offers little help in mediating symptoms. Significantly more research is needed to explore potential changes in sexual function, as it is an important aspect of quality of life for patients with BRCA positivity.
Topics: Female; Humans; Salpingo-oophorectomy; Breast Neoplasms; Prophylactic Mastectomy; Mastectomy; Quality of Life; Genes, BRCA2; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Menopause
PubMed: 37183167
DOI: 10.1093/sxmrev/qead020