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Effect of vitamin D and E vaginal suppositories on vaginal atrophy in women with breast cancer.

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eMediNexus    11 March 2019

A new study published in Support Care in Cancer investigated the effect of vitamin D and E vaginal suppositories on vaginal atrophy, in women with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen. This randomized triple-blinded study recruited women undergoing breast cancer therapy receiving tamoxifen and eliciting symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Participants were subjected to an eight-week trial on vaginal suppository vitamin E or vitamin D or placebo administered every night before bedtime; each group comprising 32 patients. The genitourinary atrophy self-assessment tool was administered, and pH was measured in all three groups before the intervention and at the end of weeks 2, 4, and 8 of intervention. The Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI) was also measured before intervention and at the end of the eighth week. An increase in VMI was observed by the end of eight weeks of intervention in the groups receiving vitamin D and E vaginal suppositories when compared to the placebo group. Additionally, vaginal pH reduced in both groups relative to that in the placebo group. Furthermore, symptoms of self-reported genitourinary atrophy improved in the two intervention groups compared to the placebo group by the end of eight weeks. Thus, it was concluded that vitamin D and E vaginal suppositories were beneficial in improving vaginal atrophy in women with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen. It was stated that given the prohibition on hormone therapy in these women, these suppositories can be used as an alternative therapy to improve symptoms of vaginal atrophy.

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