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About 50% of menopausal girls expertise genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) that includes modifications to the genitals, together with the vagina, urethra and bladder. When estrogen ranges drop throughout menopause, it could actually trigger the GSM signs of vaginal dryness, itching, burning, frequent urinary tract infections and ache throughout intercourse. Replenishing the hormone via vaginal estrogen is an efficient GSM therapy. However many breast most cancers survivors both cannot or do not need to use estrogen.
Greater than 4 million individuals within the U.S. are breast most cancers survivors. GSM impacts as much as 70% of those survivors. Medicines that cease the physique from producing estrogen can forestall or cease the unfold of breast most cancers. Nevertheless, these antiestrogen therapies, referred to as aromatase inhibitors, can also exacerbate GSM signs.
“Our data shows that as many as 20% of breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitors will stop taking their medication prematurely because they cause severe GSM symptoms. This early discontinuation of their breast cancer therapy can lead to worse outcomes in breast cancer survivorship. So, clearly, nonhormonal treatment options for GSM are needed,” says Anita Chen, M.D., a gynecologist at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Dr. Chen is the lead creator of a research printed in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
This want drove Dr. Chen to seek for another choice. Her workforce carried out a section 1 scientific trial with 20 breast most cancers survivors with GSM to check the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the a part of the blood that holds therapeutic properties, to see if it might assist.
Blood was drawn from every participant after which spun in a centrifuge to acquire platelets and plasma which have self-healing and regenerative results. PRP was then injected diffusely as soon as into the opening of the vagina and the vaginal canal in every participant.
“After six months, the breast cancer patients’ GSM symptoms had significantly improved, including sexual function, urinary symptoms and overall quality of life, even among those taking estrogen blockers,” says Emanuel Trabuco, M.D., a Mayo Clinic researcher and co-author of the research.
Whereas vasomotor signs of menopause, reminiscent of scorching flashes and evening sweats, can enhance over time, GSM doesn’t enhance with out therapy and worsens over time.
“All of our participants completed the injection protocol and rigorous follow-up, which suggests that this population desires treatment for a bothersome condition, one that is likely underreported, underestimated and undertreated,” says Dr. Chen. “Most importantly, none of the participants stopped their breast cancer treatment or experienced cancer recurrence during the study.”
PRP has been used for years in orthopedics and dermatology, and gynecologists have began trying into it to deal with stress urinary incontinence, reproductive medication and GSM.
The subsequent step on this analysis consists of pursuing a section 2 randomized managed scientific trial to match PRP injection with a placebo to deal with GSM in breast most cancers survivors and additional consider its efficacy.
Extra info:
Anita H. Chen et al, Platelet-Wealthy Plasma for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in Breast Most cancers Survivors, Obstetrics & Gynecology (2025). DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000006081
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Breast most cancers survivors discover aid for debilitating menopause symptom (2025, October 22)
retrieved 22 October 2025
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