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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0JAMA Network Open

Laser Therapy for Sexual Health in Breast Cancer Survivors Receiving Aromatase Inhibitors

  • Sònia Anglès-Acedo1,2,3,4
  • Inmaculada Alonso5,6
  • Laura Ribera-Torres1,2,4
  • Eduard Mension1,4
  • Jorge Otero7,8
  • Carolina Herranz-Diez7
  • Ramon Farré7,8
  • Natalia Castrejon9
  • Sílvia Alòs9
  • Camil Castelo-Branco1,2,3,4
9 affiliations
  1. 1Clinic Institute of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  2. 2Clinical Sexology Working Group, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  3. 3Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  4. 4Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
  5. 5Gynecology, Obstetrics and Neonatology Service, University Hospital Joan XXIII, Tarragona, Spain
  6. 6Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.
  7. 7Unit of Biophysics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
  8. 8Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
  9. 9Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Abstract

Importance: Laser therapy is increasingly used to treat genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in breast cancer survivors, but sham-controlled evidence of benefit remains limited.

Objective: To evaluate 12-month efficacy and safety of fractional carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) laser therapy (CLT) vs sham laser therapy (SLT) for GSM in breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitors.

Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a secondary analysis of a single-center, double-blind, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial conducted at a tertiary academic hospital in Spain. Participants included breast cancer survivors with GSM and dyspareunia receiving aromatase inhibitors, recruited from October 30, 2020, to September 1, 2021. Participants were followed up for 12 months. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

Intervention: Five monthly sessions of CLT or SLT plus first-line nonhormonal therapy (FLT), including vaginal moisturizers and vibrators.

Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the between-group difference in change in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score. Secondary outcomes included rate of sexual activity, dyspareunia, Spanish Body Image Scale, quality of life (12-Item Short Form Health Survey), Vaginal Health Index, objective parameters (pH, vaginal maturation index, epithelial measures), serum estradiol level, FLT adherence, and adverse events.

Results: Of the 84 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 53.8 [8.8] years), 67 completed the 12-month follow-up (CLT, 32; SLT, 35). The CLT group did not differ from the SLT group in FSFI score change from baseline to 12 months (difference, CLT vs SLT, −0.69 [95% CI, −3.58 to 2.20]; P = .64), nor in any secondary outcome. Across the full sample, significant improvements from baseline to 12 months were observed in FSFI score (18.9 to 23.0; mean difference, 4.5 [95% CI, 3.1-5.9]; P < .001), dyspareunia (mean difference, −3.7 [95% CI, −4.4 to −3.0]; P < .001), Spanish Body Image Scale (mean difference, −3.9 [95% CI, −5.1 to −2.8]; P < .001), and Vaginal Health Index (mean difference, 4.2 [95% CI, 3.1-5.2]; P < .001). Sexual activity increased among 57 of 67 participants (85.1%; odds ratio, 2.35 [95% CI, 1.23-4.50]; P = .009). Improvements were found in pH (mean difference, −0.5 [95% CI, −0.8 to −0.2]; P < .001) and vaginal maturation index (mean difference, 19.0% [95% CI, 13.4%-24.5%]; P < .001). FLT adherence was similar between groups. No severe adverse effects occurred.

Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial of breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitors, vulvovaginal CLT provided no additional benefit for sexual or vaginal health at 12 months. Improvements in both groups likely reflected FLT adherence, trial participation, or contextual factors rather than laser efficacy. High-quality sham-controlled trials remain essential before routine implementation.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04619485

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{anglesacedo2026laser,
  title = {{Laser Therapy for Sexual Health in Breast Cancer Survivors Receiving Aromatase Inhibitors}},
  author = {Sònia Anglès-Acedo and Inmaculada Alonso and Laura Ribera-Torres and Eduard Mension and Jorge Otero and Carolina Herranz-Diez and Ramon Farré and Natalia Castrejon and Sílvia Alòs and Camil Castelo-Branco},
  journal = {JAMA Network Open},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.38937},
  url = {https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2855354},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Laser Therapy for Sexual Health in Breast Cancer Survivors Receiving Aromatase Inhibitors
AU  - Sònia Anglès-Acedo
AU  - Inmaculada Alonso
AU  - Laura Ribera-Torres
AU  - Eduard Mension
AU  - Jorge Otero
AU  - Carolina Herranz-Diez
AU  - Ramon Farré
AU  - Natalia Castrejon
AU  - Sílvia Alòs
AU  - Camil Castelo-Branco
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/15
JO  - JAMA Network Open
DO  - 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.38937
UR  - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2855354
AB  - Importance: Laser therapy is increasingly used to treat genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) in breast cancer survivors, but sham-controlled evidence of benefit remains limited.  Objective: To evaluate 12-month efficacy and safety of fractional carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) laser therapy (CLT) vs sham laser therapy (SLT) for GSM in breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitors.  Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a secondary analysis of a single-center, double-blind, sham-controlled randomized clinical trial conducted at a tertiary academic hospital in Spain. Participants included breast cancer survivors with GSM and dyspareunia receiving aromatase inhibitors, recruited from October 30, 2020, to September 1, 2021. Participants were followed up for 12 months. Data were analyzed from December 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.  Intervention: Five monthly sessions of CLT or SLT plus first-line nonhormonal therapy (FLT), including vaginal moisturizers and vibrators.  Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the between-group difference in change in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) score. Secondary outcomes included rate of sexual activity, dyspareunia, Spanish Body Image Scale, quality of life (12-Item Short Form Health Survey), Vaginal Health Index, objective parameters (pH, vaginal maturation index, epithelial measures), serum estradiol level, FLT adherence, and adverse events.  Results: Of the 84 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 53.8 [8.8] years), 67 completed the 12-month follow-up (CLT, 32; SLT, 35). The CLT group did not differ from the SLT group in FSFI score change from baseline to 12 months (difference, CLT vs SLT, −0.69 [95% CI, −3.58 to 2.20]; P = .64), nor in any secondary outcome. Across the full sample, significant improvements from baseline to 12 months were observed in FSFI score (18.9 to 23.0; mean difference, 4.5 [95% CI, 3.1-5.9]; P < .001), dyspareunia (mean difference, −3.7 [95% CI, −4.4 to −3.0]; P < .001), Spanish Body Image Scale (mean difference, −3.9 [95% CI, −5.1 to −2.8]; P < .001), and Vaginal Health Index (mean difference, 4.2 [95% CI, 3.1-5.2]; P < .001). Sexual activity increased among 57 of 67 participants (85.1%; odds ratio, 2.35 [95% CI, 1.23-4.50]; P = .009). Improvements were found in pH (mean difference, −0.5 [95% CI, −0.8 to −0.2]; P < .001) and vaginal maturation index (mean difference, 19.0% [95% CI, 13.4%-24.5%]; P < .001). FLT adherence was similar between groups. No severe adverse effects occurred.  Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial of breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitors, vulvovaginal CLT provided no additional benefit for sexual or vaginal health at 12 months. Improvements in both groups likely reflected FLT adherence, trial participation, or contextual factors rather than laser efficacy. High-quality sham-controlled trials remain essential before routine implementation.  Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04619485
SN  - 2574-3805
ER  -