Observational studySupportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer2026
Photobiomodulation for hormone therapy-induced sexual dysfunction in women with breast cancer: a prospective quasi-experimental clinical study with a parallel observational group.
Observational study in Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundBreast 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. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) on vaginal pain, sexual function, safety, and tolerability in women with breast cancer undergoing hormone therapy.
methodsA 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.
resultsAt 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.
conclusionPBM 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.
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