Vaginal Dryness Can Affect Your Vaginal Health

Although it is not always easy to talk about, vaginal dryness is a very common issue faced by women who have had cancer and undergone treatment. In cancer survivors, symptoms of vaginal atrophy (such as vaginal dryness, itching and burning) have a negative effect on quality of life and may even affect adherence to cancer treatment. While vaginal atrophy can be a side effect of treatment from various types of cancer (cervical, ovarian, uterine, etc.) it is more common and more severe in breast cancer patients.
Vaginal Dryness in Cancer Patients

For many women, cancer treatment can lead to early menopause, by forcing a premature start to estrogen loss. This is also known as treatment-induced menopause, which can be caused by:

• Chemotherapy
• Hormone therapy
• Radiation therapy
• Risk-reducing surgery (removing ovaries due to ovarian cancer)

Since estrogen is responsible for keeping the vaginal wall elastic and moisturized, when the body experiences estrogen loss, glands in the vagina stop producing moisture and lubrication regularly. This leads to vaginal dryness.

Vaginal dryness is also one of the symptoms of menopause. For women who are already postmenopausal, cancer treatment may worsen vaginal dryness.

Risk of Infection

An increased risk of infection can be extremely worrisome for a woman undergoing cancer treatment, as she is already at a much higher risk of infection. Chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, radiation therapy or surgery can affect the immune system’s ability to function at full strength. Because of this, the risk of infection is increased and it may be more difficult to fight off an infection that does ensue. For someone whose immunity is compromised due to cancer treatment, even a urinary tract or vaginal infection can lead to more serious complications.