Iatrogenic Menopause and Severe Sexual Health Disruption Following Chemoradiotherapy: The Role of Natural-Origin Polynucleotides

Isabella Pia Palmieri,1,2 Mauro Raichi3 1Morphofunctional Polydistrectual Surgery, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy; 2Aesthetic Medicine, University of Naples Medical School, Naples, Italy; 3Self-Employed Clinical Pharmacology Consultant, Milan, ItalyCorrespondence: Isabella Pia Palmieri, Morphofunctional Polydistrectual Surgery, University of Padua Medical School, Padua, Italy, Email [email protected]: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is rising among adults under 50. Similarly, the incidence of rare anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) is also steadily increasing, especially among women. The consequences of chemoradiotherapy on sexual health vary but are very common. For example, sexual dysfunction affects up to 85% of ASCC survivors, according to a recent systematic review. Because of its impact on quality of life, addressing sexual issues—especially in women who had active sexual lives before cancer—should not be underappreciated in managing CRC and ASCC survivors. A potential strategy may involve combining the benefits of hyaluronic acid for vulvovaginal hydration with an ingredient that supports long-term regeneration of the dermal and submucosal extracellular matrix, including collagen, elastin fibrils, and glycosaminoglycans. This report describes the case and evolution over time of the iatrogenic menopause symptoms, with special attention to dyspareunia and sexual well-being, of a 42-year-old woman with severe iatrogenic sexual dysfunction following chemoradiotherapy for ASCC. The woman successfully underwent six sessions of infiltrative treatment via intradermal vulvar and submucosal vaginal injections with a combination of hyaluronic acid and Polynucleotides High Purification Technology (PN HPT) using a CE-marked Class III medical device, for dermal and submucosal regeneration over approximately four months.Keywords: anal squamous cell carcinoma, vaginal hydration, iatrogenic menopause, Polynucleotides High Purification Technology, sexual dysfunction