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Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and dyspareunia are common problems experienced by postmenopausal women, although few seek treatment. Symptom-based therapies include nonhormonal vaginal lubricants, vaginal moisturizers, low-dose vaginal estrogen, and systemic estrogen. The 2013 United States Food and Drug Administration approval of ospemifene, an estrogen agonist/antagonist for the treatment of moderate-to-severe dyspareunia associated with VVA, increased options available to women. Several studies have evaluated the effects of ospemifene on VVA and dyspareunia and indicate an improvement in subjective findings. Objective findings such as a decrease in pH and recovery of a premenopausal vaginal maturation index have been reported. Beneficial effects have also been demonstrated in bone. Evaluations of breast health support the safety of ospemifene, although data are limited to 1 year. Short-term risks appear to be limited and include the development of hot flushes. Until additional comparative studies of ospemifene and estrogens have been performed, ospemifene should be recommended for women with symptoms of VVA and dyspareunia who are unable to tolerate or unwilling to take local or systemic estrogens. In this review, current evidence for the safety and efficacy of ospemifene in the treatment of moderate-to-severe VVA and dyspareunia are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 50% of women are believed to be affected by female sexual dysfunction ( FSD). When particularly distressful, FSD is known as hypoactive sexual desire disorder ( HSDD). In contrast to male sexual dysfunction that has been extensively researched, there is less evidence addressing the treatment of HSDD in women, particularly with regard to the use of androgen therapy. A variety of testosterone products, including oral, injectable, and transdermal preparations, has been prescribed for the treatment of HSDD in premenopausal women, as well as in those with naturally occurring or surgically induced menopause. Although studies have shown some benefit with testosterone supplementation in women with HSDD, conflicting evidence and debate regarding the clinical efficacy of testosterone remain. Because of concern over potential adverse events, additional studies with longer follow-up periods are necessary before use of testosterone in women with HSDD becomes widespread. Initiation of testosterone therapy must be considered on an individual basis after a thorough discussion with the patient about risks and benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormal uterine bleeding in women with a blood dyscrasia, such as leukemia, or who experience thrombocytopenia secondary to myelosuppressive chemotherapy is a clinical condition associated with significant morbidity. Consequently, effective management is necessary to prevent adverse outcomes. Prevention of menorrhagia, defined as heavy regular menstrual cycles with more than 80 ml of blood loss/cycle or a cycle duration longer than 7 days, in this patient population is the goal of therapy. Gonadotropinreleasing hormone analogs (e.g., leuprolide) are promising therapies that have been shown to decrease vaginal bleeding during periods of thrombocytopenia and to have minimal adverse effects other than those associated with gonadal inhibition. In patients who experience menorrhagia despite preventive therapies, or in patients who have thrombocytopenia and menorrhagia at diagnosis, treatment is indicated. For these women, treatment options may include platelet transfusions, antifibrinolytic therapy (e.g., tranexamic acid), continuous high-dose oral contraceptives, cyclic progestins, or other therapies for more refractory patients such as danazol, desmopressin, and recombinant factor Vlla. Hormonal therapies are often the mainstay of therapy in women with menorrhagia secondary to thrombocytopenia, but data for these agents are sparse. The most robust data for the treatment of menorrhagia are for tranexamic acid. Most women receiving tranexamic acid in randomized trials experienced meaningful reductions in menstrual bleeding, and this translated into improved quality of life; however, these trials were not performed in patients with cancer. Further clinical trials are warranted to evaluate both preventive and therapeutic agents for menorrhagia in premenopausal women with cancer who are receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]