Alternative and complementary therapy for menopausal disorders after radical treatment for breast cancer

Yakushevskaya O.V., Yureneva S.V., Protasova A.E., Shabalova O.V.

1) Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia; 2) V.A. Almazov National Medical Research Center, Ministry of Health of Russia, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Since 1980, breast cancer (BC) has dominated in the pattern of female cancer incidence. After successfully completing the main stage of BC treatment, patients very often survive the age at natural menopause. However, it is this form of malignant tumor that requires enormous healthcare resources to maintain the health, quality of life, and rehabilitation of women. Approximately two-thirds of BC cases are hormone-positive, i.e. they contain estrogen and/or progesterone receptors, requiring hormone (anti-estrogen) therapy. Taking hormonal drugs, such as aromatase inhibitors and tamoxifen, is associated with the development of moderate to severe menopausal disorders. To correct menopausal symptoms after completion of the main stage of BC therapy is a complex clinical task. Vasomotor symptoms can be severe and debilitating in some women, whereas menopausal hormone therapy is contraindicated. In patients with chemotherapy-induced premature menopause, loss of bone mineral density is very often accelerated and there is a need for appropriate correction. Vulvovaginal atrophy is a source of sexual dysfunction. To maintain not only somatic health and physical activity, but also to improve quality of life in patients with a family history of cancer should be the focus of clinical attention.
Conclusion. The paper presents a list of alternative non-hormonal treatments for menopausal disorders in patients with a personal history of BC.

Keywords

menopause
menopausal syndrome
vasomotor symptoms
phytoestrogens
isoflavones
menopausal hormone therapy
red clover (Trifolium pretense) extract

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Received 20.10.2020

Accepted 27.04.2021

About the Authors

Oksana V. Yakushevskaya, Ph.D., scientific researcher of the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia. Tel.: +7(905)534-72-08. E-mail: ykushox83@mail.ru. ORCID: 0002-7430-1207.
117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparina str. 4.
Svetlana V. Yureneva, Dr. Med. Sci., Leading Researcher of the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia. Е-mail: syureneva@gmail.com. ORCID: 0000-0003-2864-066X. 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparina str., 4.
Anna E. Protasova, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, V.A. Almazov National Medical Research Center,
Ministry of Health of Russia. E-mail: protasova1966@yandex.ru. ORCID: 0000-0001-7930-8048. 197341, Russia, Saint Petersburg, Akkuratova str., 2.
Olga V. Shabalova, graduent student, Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics,
Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of Russia. Tel.: +7(906)724-36-61. Е-mail: olga.shabalova93@gmail.com. ORCID: 0000-0001-5957-4584.
117997, Russia, Moscow, Ac. Oparina str., 4.

For citation: Yakushevskaya O.V., Yureneva S.V., Protasova A.E., Shabalova O.V. Alternative and complementary therapy for menopausal disorders after radical treatment for breast cancer.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021; 5: 72-78 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2021.5.72-78

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