A new prospective study has reported that sexual function among partnered breast cancer survivors is impaired in those with menopausal symptoms and/or body image issues up to two years after initial diagnosis. Use of aromatase inhibitors increases the disfunction. An increasing number of women are living as breast cancer survivors. The study was designed to examine the impact of an initial diagnosis of invasive breast cancer, breast cancer treatment, menopausal symptoms, and body image on sexual function. It included 1,011 women participating in a prospective cohort study of women recruited within 12 months of their first diagnosis with invasive breast cancer. More than 80% of the study participants reported that their sex life before breast cancer was good and satisfying. Each woman completed an enrollment questionnaire, as well as a follow-up questionnaire 12 months later. The Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire, which was embedded within the follow-up questionnaire, was used to evaluate sexual function.

Seventy percent of all the women in the study were found to experience sexual function problems and 77% reported menopausal vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. Women experiencing problems with sexual function were more likely to be postmenopausal, experience vasomotor symptoms, and use aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin. Women with vasomotor symptoms were twice as likely to experience sexual function problems than those without these symptoms. This association was far stronger for women on aromatase inhibitors but was not statistically significant among women not using aromatase inhibitors or tamoxifen. Women on aromatase inhibitors with body image issues were also more likely to report sexual function problems. The authors conclude that 70% of partnered breast cancer survivors under age 70 without active disease experienced sexual function problems. Sexual problems appeared to be increased by the use of aromatase inhibitors, which can exacerbate menopausal symptoms.

Please see our article on what to eat during aromatase inhibitor treatment for more information on how to optimize treatment with aromatase inhibitors and reduce side effects.