Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Treatment

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Treatment may relieve pesky and painful changes down-there.  Symptoms often persist and affect most of us, so what is some effective treatment?

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

What is the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)?

On page two in The 2020 Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society: Terminology, the definition used by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) is:

“Genitourinary syndrome of menopause describes the symptoms and signs resulting from the effect of estrogen deficiency on the female genitourinary tract, including the vagina, labia, urethra, and bladder”.

Symptoms

What may be symptoms of GSM?

In Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the Mayo Clinic explain:

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Treatment

“Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) signs and symptoms may include:

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Vaginal burning
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Genital itching
  • Burning with urination
  • Urgency with urination
  • Frequent urination
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Light bleeding after intercourse
  • Discomfort with intercourse
  • Decreased vaginal lubrication during sexual activity
  • Shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal”.

Treatment

What are some GSM treatment options?

In Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options the NAMS elaborate on:

“The good news is that effective treatment options, such as nonhormone remedies or different forms of low-dose estrogen applied to the vagina are available. These can be combined for optimal symptom relief.

  • “Nonhormone Remedies…
    • Vaginal Lubricants…
    • Vaginal Moisturizers…
    • Regular Sexual Stimulation…
    • Expanding Your Views of Sexual Pleasure…
    • Vaginal Dilators…
    • Pelvic Floor Exercises…
  • Vaginal Estrogen Therapy…
    • An Effective and Safe Treatment…
    • Government-Approved Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogen Products…
    • Standard Doses of Estrogen Therapy…
  • Other Prescription Therapies
    • Ospemifene
    • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)…”.

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have GSM?

If you think you have GSM, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

On page two in Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options the NAMS note:

“Vaginal symptoms not related to menopause include yeast infections, allergic reactions, and certain skin conditions, so consult your healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve with treatment”.

In Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause the Australasian Menopause Society elaborate on:

  • “Unlike some menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, which may disappear as time passes; genito-urinary problems often persist and may progress with time. Genito-urinary symptoms are associated both with menopause and with ageing”.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Treatment?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Treatment?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. Caredownthere.com.au
  2. Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
  3. Mayo Clinic Q and A: Managing the Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy
  4. Menopause: Libido, Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Problems and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
  5. The 2020 Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society
  6. The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: An Overview of the Recent Data
  7. Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
  8. Urogenital Problems
  9. Vaginal Laser Therapy Vaginal Atrophy
  10. Vaginal Atrophy: Diagnosis & Treatment
  11. Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes
  12. Vaginal Dryness After Menopause: How To Treat It? I’m postmenopausal and often have vaginal dryness, which makes intercourse painful. Is there anything I can do about it?
  13. Vaginal Dryness: Alternative Treatments
  14. Vaginal Laser Therapy
  15. Video Series-2018 – Moisturizers, Lubricants, and Prasterone
  16. Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
  17. Video Series-2019 – Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness In Survivors of Breast Cancer and In Those With A High Risk of Breast Cancer
  18. Video Series-2020 – How To Talk To Your Primary Care Clinician About Your Overall Health
  19. Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
  20. Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause

Last Updated: 01 November 2020 – Last Revised: 01 November 2020
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
/by
You might also like
World Menopause Day 2018 What’s Hot
Meno Martha and Sexual Wellbeing
Menopause FAQs: Vaginal Atrophy
Meno Martha and Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Issues Video
Vaginal Dryness Snapshot