{"id":11624,"date":"2026-06-25T09:25:52","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T07:25:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause-does-it-affect-you-find-out-whats-happening-to-you\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T13:19:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T11:19:59","slug":"genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause-does-it-affect-you-find-out-whats-happening-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause-does-it-affect-you-find-out-whats-happening-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Does it affect you? Find out what&#8217;s happening to you."},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the definition of the syndrome and which women does it affect?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause<\/strong> (<strong>GSM<\/strong>) is a relatively newer term that describes the clinical entity of what was previously known as vulvovaginal atrophy, atrophic vaginitis, or urogenital atrophy. It includes a wide range of changes and symptoms affecting the genital and lower urinary systems, as well as a woman&#8217;s sexual health, as a consequence of the decline in estrogen after menopause. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The incidence of the syndrome is quite high, as GSM appears to affect more than half (approximately 50-70%) of postmenopausal women.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But not only, as the Syndrome or certain of its characteristics may appear in approximately 15% of younger, premenopausal women, as well as in patients receiving medication for breast cancer and patients, often quite young, suffering from premature ovarian insufficiency.<\/p>\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What are the main symptoms of the syndrome? Do they improve over time? <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The clinical manifestations of GSM are broad, vary in severity, and are chronic, as they do not appear to improve without appropriate treatment.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thus, a patient may initially experience symptoms from the genital system, such as:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vaginal dryness, atrophy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Burning, itching, or irritation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pain or pressure in the vagina and pelvis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shrinkage and narrowing of the vagina<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased vaginal discharge, typically whitish, and frequent vaginitis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pelvic organ prolapse (uterus, bladder, rectum)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the urinary system, the following are observed:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Urination disorders (dysuric symptoms, frequent urination, urgency)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Urinary incontinence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of frequent urinary tract infections, which may often recur over time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Concomitant with the above conditions is the significant impact of the syndrome on a woman&#8217;s sexual health, with the appearance of:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dyspareunia (pain and difficulty during intercourse)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced lubrication and moisture of the vagina<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frequent vaginal bleeding after intercourse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vaginismus (reflex spasm of the vaginal muscles) and pelvic pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And ultimately, a decrease in libido, desire, and withdrawal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>How do the clinical manifestations of the syndrome affect a woman&#8217;s quality of life? Is there adequate information and awareness among patients? <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The end of a woman&#8217;s reproductive age should not mean the end of a quality and enjoyable life in every aspect. The various clinical manifestations of the syndrome can have a serious impact on psychology, emotional and sexual health, professional and social life. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite its high incidence, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause remains, to this day, underdiagnosed, mainly due to the shyness, the feeling of shame, of many patients to seek help, or because it is often, certainly mistakenly, considered part of the normal aging process. Therefore, the need for information for both genders to seek specialized care and treatment has become imperative. <\/p>\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>What are the treatment options for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal of treatment is the relief and\/or elimination of symptoms.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As a first line of treatment for atrophy and dryness symptoms, the application of vaginal creams or gels with a natural mode of action is recommended, which may contain therapeutic ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, collagen, and\/or phytoestrogens.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the treatment of dyspareunia and sexual dysfunction, the use of moisturizing-lubricating vaginal creams is recommended, with particular attention to their selection, so that they mimic the natural fluids of the vagina and do not disrupt the balanced physiology of the area.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beyond these, further management of GSM includes the administration of hormonal therapy preparations either locally in the vagina or systemically.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While in recent years we have alternative, more invasive treatments available, such as vaginal LASER for the regeneration of the vaginal epithelium and symptom relief.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, in the management of urinary symptoms, nutritional supplements containing vitamins and natural ingredients, such as cranberry extract and probiotics, play a role, acting either preventively or in combination with medication to improve the therapeutic outcome.<\/p>\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In addition to the main therapeutic measures, the following are recommended:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enhancement\/encouragement of sexual activity: strongly recommended for improving natural lubrication, elasticity, and good condition of the vaginal mucosa and muscles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Smoking cessation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stress reduction &#8211; psychological support: appears to help women with non-organic causes of dryness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diet: weight management, intake of vitamins D and E, other ingredients with estrogen-mimicking action<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Selection of comfortable clothes and underwear that allow adequate ventilation of the sensitive area<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exercise: brings about improvement in vascular\/muscle condition, reduction of anxiety\/depression, enhancement of well-being\/self-confidence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<ol start=\"6\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In conclusion\u2026<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause and its clinical manifestations should not be a taboo subject for modern, active women of all ages. Public and healthcare provider awareness and information, as well as a personalized approach to each patient, are crucial prerequisites for the timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of the syndrome. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dimos Sioutis MD, MSC, PhD<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Scientific Director of Urogynecology &amp; Pelvic Floor Disorders Department<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">IASO Maternity and Gynecological Clinic Academic Fellow of the 3rd Department of Obstetrics &amp; Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, &#8220;ATTIKON&#8221; Hospital <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Bibliography<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gandhi et al, AJOG 2016<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Angelou et al, Cureus 2020<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Farrell AM, AFP 2017<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: symptoms, effects, and care options for a better quality of life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11626,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[125],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-meno-control"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11624"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11624\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eva-intima.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}