Sex Matters: The FDA Seminar on Female Sexual Dysfunction

I decided to delay our jump into the topic of libido since I want to update you on a very important meeting that recently took place at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Washington, DC in late October. On the 27^th and 28^th, the FDA convened a 2-day seminar to discuss the issues of the unmet medical need for treatment for …

Sex Matters: What About Vaginal Hormones?

We’ve discussed vaginal and vulvar dryness and some conservative measures that can be used to help treat symptoms, including nonhormonal vaginal moisturizers that help hydrate the tissues and vaginal lubricants that can make intercourse and sex more comfortable. The question that many women diagnosed with breast cancer often ask is, “What about vaginal hormones? Are they safe? Can we use them?” In this month’s column, …

Sex Matters: Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

In our previous columns, we’ve discussed several issues related to the vaginal and vulvar changes that can occur as a result of cancer treatment, including vaginal dryness and irritation. Some simple solutions include using vaginal moisturizers and lubricants. In addition, some women may need vaginal dilators to help stretch the tissues that have become less elastic and hardened over time as a result …

Sex Matters: Vaginal Dilators

Let’s continue to build on what we’ve already discussed in previous columns with vaginal dryness, moisturizers, and lubricants. As we discussed, vaginal atrophy (thinning and dryness of the vaginal tissues) happens when estrogen levels drop during and after menopause, or as a result of cancer treatment that interferes with estrogen levels.

For some women, vaginal dryness and pain go hand in hand. Some women experience …

Sex Matters: Vaginal Moisturizers and Lubricants

In the last column, we discussed the issues of vaginal dryness and the troublesome symptoms that many women experience as a result of this medical condition. Vaginal burning, itchiness, and pain can impact a woman’s sex life and overall sexual self-esteem, or how she views herself as a sexual being. We mentioned the importance of vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, and in today’s column, we …