Lower-pH Vaginal Gel Didn't Tip the Balance Toward Better Sex

Estrogen deficiency can lead to dyspareunia with attendant impairment of sexual function. Investigators in South Korea tested whether vaginal gel balanced to pH 4.0 (achieved by addition of lactate) would affect dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction differently than placebo gel (pH 7.2; constituents not specified). A total of 136 breast cancer survivors (median age, 49) were randomized to use either gel three times weekly and at intercourse for 8 weeks.

Both dyspareunia and sexual function substantially improved in both groups. Among women who received the pH-balanced gel, vaginal pH decreased and vaginal maturation index increased significantly. Both gels were well tolerated.