Low Sexual Desire in Breast Cancer Survivors and Patients: A Review.

Abstract

As survival rates for women with breast cancer (BC) continue to improve, sexual dysfunction including low sexual desire is becoming more prevalent. BC diagnosis, treatment, and treatment-induced changes have been shown to affect sexual desire in BC survivors. Understanding low sexual desire and current treatment options will allow practitioners to address it efficaciously to allow for an improved quality of life in women with BC. To review the literature regarding the prevalence, predictors, and current treatments for low sexual desires in BC survivors. We performed a PubMed search for English-language articles in peer-reviewed journals between 2005-2021. We used the following keywords: "breast cancer" and "sexual function," "sexual dysfunction," "hypoactive sexual desire disorder", "sex drive" or "sexual desire." Articles featuring a study or survey that evaluated sex drive in women BC survivors or patients, its identification, management or treatment, were reviewed. A total of 37 studies that evaluated the relationship between BC, its treatments and treatment-induced effects on BC survivors and sexual desire were included. Studies indicate that low sexual desire persists throughout the timeline of BC survivors, from BC diagnosis to after treatment. Surgical treatment, body image, and adjuvant hormone therapy are a few factors that influence low sexual desire in BC survivors. Treatment options are efficacious at varying levels and include non-pharmacologic, pharmacologic, and hormonal therapies. Low sexual desire is prevalent in BC patients and survivors. More research is needed to better evaluate the safety and efficacy of treatment options, particularly pharmacologic and hormonal therapy. Luo F, Link M, Grabenhorst C, et al. Low Sexual Desire in Breast Cancer Survivors and Patients: A Review. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:367-375.