Photobiomodulation for hormone therapy-induced sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a prospective quasi-experimental clinical study with a parallel observational group

Breast cancer survivors undergoing hormone therapy frequently experience vaginal pain and sexual dysfunction, which negatively affect quality of life. These symptoms are often undertreated, and new therapeutic approaches are needed.

To evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on vaginal pain, sexual function, safety, and tolerability in women with breast cancer undergoing hormone therapy.

A prospective, quasi-experimental clinical study was conducted with 24 women presenting hormone therapy-induced sexual dysfunction, who underwent four weekly intra- and extra-cavitary PBM sessions (blue LED-440 nm, 8 min; red LED-660 nm, 20 min). Eight eligible participants who declined the intervention due to embarrassment were followed as an untreated observational group. Assessments were performed before and after the intervention using the Female Sexual Quotient Questionnaire (QS-F) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for vaginal pain.

At baseline, 82.6% of participants reported maximum vaginal pain (VAS = 10), and 78.2% presented absent or severely impaired sexual function. After four PBM sessions, 79.1% of the women reported complete absence of pain, with mean VAS scores decreasing from 9.46 ± 0.98 to 1.04 ± 2.17 (p < 0.0001). Sexual function also improved significantly, with mean QS-F scores increasing from 23.25 ± 23.47 to 87.21 ± 17.93 (p < 0.0001), and 95.8% of participants reporting good to excellent sexual function after treatment. The intervention was well tolerated, with no adverse events reported. The observational group showed no changes in the evaluated outcomes.

PBM proved to be safe, well tolerated, and clinically effective in reducing vaginal pain and improving sexual function in women with breast cancer undergoing hormone therapy, representing a promising therapeutic alternative.