“Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is caused by a decrease in estrogen production. Less estrogen makes your vaginal tissues thinner, drier, less elastic…”.1
Umbrella
What may the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Umbrella include?
Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Genital Atrophy
- Genitourinary/Genito-Urinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
- Menopause Vaginal Dryness
- Urogenital Problems
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Symptoms
- Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA)
Definition
What is the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)?
DotS the definition of GSM may vary. On page one in Vaginal Dryness the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) elaborate on:
In Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause the Australasian Menopause Society (AMS) elaborate on:
- “As women age they will experience changes to their vagina and urinary system largely due to decreasing levels of the hormone oestrogen
- The changes, which may cause dryness, irritation, itching and pain with intercourse are known as the genito-urinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and can affect up to 50% of postmenopausal women. GSM was previously known as atrophic vaginitis or vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA)”.3
In Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:
“For many women, vaginal atrophy not only makes intercourse painful but also leads to distressing urinary symptoms. Because the condition causes both vaginal and urinary symptoms, doctors use the term “genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)” to describe vaginal atrophy and its accompanying symptoms”.4
Symptoms
What may be symptoms of GSM?
In Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms the Mayo Clinic explain:
- 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”.5
Cause
What causes GSM?
In Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Causes the Mayo Clinic elaborate on:
“Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is caused by a decrease in estrogen production. Less estrogen makes your vaginal tissues thinner, drier, less elastic and more fragile”.6
Treatment
What are some GSM treatments?
In Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options the NAMS elaborate on:
- “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)…”.7
Painful Intercourse
How may painful intercourse be resolved?
The Mayo Clinic explain:
Vaginal Estrogen
How may vaginal estrogen be used?
In Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy for Menopause Symptoms – Q. What is hormone therapy? the NAMS note:
“A. …Vaginal estrogen therapy for GSM after menopause is administered into the vagina and is effective for moisturizing and rebuilding tissue. Very little goes into blood circulation, so the risks are far lower”.9
In Vaginal Dryness: Treatments the (United States) MedlinePlus explain:
Menopausal Hormone Therapy
What is one of the points of consensus about menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and GSM?
One of the points of consensus in the Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT – endorsed by seven menopause-related organizations – published online 20 June 2016, is:
- “MHT, including tibolone, is effective in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), now also considered as a component of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Local low-dose estrogen therapy is preferred for women whose symptoms are limited to vaginal dryness or associated discomfort with intercourse or for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections. Ospemifene, an oral selective estrogen receptor modulator, is also licensed in some countries for the treatment of dyspareunia attributed to VVA”.11
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.
In Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related To Menopause the NAMS explain:
“Because vaginal discomfort can arise from so many different sources, persistent symptoms of dryness, irritation, burning, itchiness, or pain should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to determine their cause”.12
On page two in Vaginal Dryness the NAMS also note:
The AMS note:
- “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”.14
Health Topics A-Z
Where may I find Health Topics related to Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause?
In Health Topics A-Z you may find:
Links
Where may I find Links related to Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause?
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.- 9 Myths and Misunderstandings About Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)
- Bioidentical Hormones Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
- Caredownthere.com.au
- Clitoral Atrophy – Ask Dr Jean
- Complementary Medicine Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Current Treatment Options for Postmenopausal Vaginal Atrophy
- Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
- Douching Fact Sheet
- Early Menopause: Experiences and Perspectives of Women and Health Practitioners – Women’s Profiles
- Essential Information: See Your Doctor If
- Experiencing Vaginal Dryness? Here’s What You Need To Know
- Fact Sheets and Downloads: Additional Downloadable Resources – Vaginal Estrogen Therapy
- Five Things You Didn’t Know About Vaginas & Vulvas — Free Health Article
- HRT Benefits and Risks
- HRT and the Risk of Breast Cancer Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
- Intercourse Was Becoming Painful – Ask Dr Jean
- International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease: Resource Library – Patients
- Making Sense of Menopausal Hormone Therapy Means Understanding the Benefits As Well As the Risks
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: Managing the Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy
- Menopause
- Menopause
- Menopause & Bladder Control
- Menopause Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Menopause FAQs: Menopause Symptoms – Q. How Can I Counteract Vaginal Dryness During Menopause?
- Menopause Hormone Therapy: Who Shouldn’t Take It?
- Menopause Management: Managing Vaginal Problems
- Menopause Symptoms and Relief – Vaginal Problems and Infections
- Menopause What Are the Symptoms?
- Menopause – What Are the Symptoms? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause – Will It Affect My Sex Life? [Multiply Languages] [Video]
- Menopause: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Menopause: Diagnosis and Management – Information for the Public: Questions To Ask About Menopause [NICE Guideline]
- Menopause: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Libido, Vaginal Dryness and Urinary Problems and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Menopause – Hormone Treatments
- Menopause: Relationships, Sex and Contraception and the Menopause [Video Interview Stories]
- Menopause: Symptoms & Causes
- Mona Lisa Touch – Ask Dr Jean
- National Association for Continence [United States]
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: 4 Things To Know About Menopausal Symptoms and Complementary Health Practices
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: How Safe Is This Product or Practice?
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Menopausal Symptoms In Depth
- Natural Therapies & Supplements
- New Guidelines To Help Clinicians Manage GSM In Women With Breast Cancer [Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause]
- New Study Reassures Women About the Safety of Vaginal Estrogen
- Non-Hormonal Treatment Options for Menopausal Symptoms
- NonHormonal Treatments for Menopausal Symptoms
- Pain During or After Sex
- Painful Sex (Dyspareunia)
- Recent Review Confirms Safety of Low Dose Vaginal Estrogen: July 2019
- Resequedad Vaginal
- Sex & Relationships: 5 Things To Know About Sex In Later Life [Video]
- Sex and Menopause: Treatment for Symptoms
- Sexual Difficulties In the Menopause
- Statement From FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., on Efforts To Safeguard Women’s Health From Deceptive Health Claims and Significant Risks Related To Devices Marketed for Use In Medical Procedures for “Vaginal Rejuvenation” [Food and Drug Administration, United States]
- Supporting Women Through Menopause
- Symptoms of Menopause
- Testosterone Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- The 2020 Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause Position Statement of The North American Menopause Society
- The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: An Overview of the Recent Data
- The Use of Vaginal Estrogen In Women With A History of Estrogen-Dependent Breast Cancer
- The Vaginal Laser Therapy Versus Vaginal Estrogen Therapy: The VeLVET Trial [Video]
- Update on Vaginal Laser Therapy
- Urinary Incontinence
- Urogenital Atrophy Explained – A British Menopause Society Video
- Urogenital Problems
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Vaginal Atrophy: Diagnosis & Treatment
- Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Dryness
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?
- Vaginal Dryness and the Menopause
- Vaginal Dryness: Alternative Treatments
- Vaginal Health After Breast Cancer: A Guide for Patients
- Vaginal Laser Therapy
- Vaginal Laser Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Does the Evidence Support the FDA Safety Communication?
- Video Series-2018 – Moisturizers, Lubricants, and Prasterone
- Video Series-2019 – Talking To Your Clinician About Sexual Health Concerns
- Video Series-2019 – Treatment Options for Vaginal Dryness In Survivors of Breast Cancer and In Those With A High Risk of Breast Cancer
- Video Series-2021 – What Women Need To Know About Hormone Therapies
- Vulva & Vaginal Irritation [+ Video, Diagram and Booklet]
- Vulva and Vaginal Health: Getting the Right Advice
- Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause
- What Is Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) and Is It Safe?
- When Sex Is Painful
- Wild Yam
- Will Menopause Affect My Sex Life? [+ Video]
- Women Can Breathe Sigh of Relief When Using Vaginal Estrogen To Treat Menopause Symptoms
- Women’s Wellness: Bladder Control Problems
- Women’s Wellness: Lifestyle Strategies Ease Some Bladder Control Problems
- Women’s Wellness: Painful Sex After Menopause
- Women’s Wellness: Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Health Problems
- Your Sexual Health
Sources
Where may I find the Sources quoted?
You may find the Sources quoted at:
Sources
- Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 02 May 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288 Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vaginal Dryness. 2018: 1. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/for-women/mn-vaginal-dryness.pdf Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause. Content Created September 2018. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/376-vulvovaginal-symptoms-after-menopause Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 02 May 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288 Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms. 02 May 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288 Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Causes. 02 May 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288 Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vaginal Dryness: Treatment Options. 2018: 1-2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/for-women/mn-vaginal-dryness.pdf Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vaginal Atrophy: Symptoms & Causes – Symptoms: When To See A Doctor. 02 May 2019. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288 Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Menopause FAQs: Hormone Therapy & Menopause Symptoms – Q. What is hormone therapy? North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopause-faqs-hormone-therapy-for-menopause-symptoms Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vaginal Dryness: When To Contact A Medical Professional. Review Date: 30 June 2019. Page Last Updated: 22 December 2020 MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000892.htm Accessed: 06 January 2021
- De Villiers, T. J., Hall, J. E., Pinkerton, J. V., Pérez, S. C., Rees, M., Yang, C. and Pierroz, D. D. Revised Global Consensus Statement on Menopausal Hormone Therapy: Section A: Benefit/Risk Profile of MHT. Climacteric, 2016;19:4:313 https://www.imsociety.org/manage/images/pdf/ba6379e868044bec13015ac2b84f2753.pdf Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vaginal Discomfort: Discomfort Not Directly Related To Menopause. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/for-women/sexual-health-menopause-online/causes-of-sexual-problems/vaginal-discomfort Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vaginal Dryness: Note. 2018: 2. North American Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org/docs/default-source/for-women/mn-vaginal-dryness.pdf Accessed: 06 January 2021
- Vulvovaginal Symptoms After Menopause. Content Created September 2018. Australasian Menopause Society https://www.menopause.org.au/hp/information-sheets/376-vulvovaginal-symptoms-after-menopause Accessed: 06 January 2021