Genitourinary Syndrome.
The genitourinary syndrome includes bothersome vaginal, vulvar (lips of the vagina), and urinary symptoms that can affect quality of life, sexual satisfaction, and even your relationship with your partner. Unlike the official name, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, GSM, this constellation of symptoms is not isolated to menopause. Women can experience these symptoms at any point in their life, however, we tend to see bothersome symptoms most frequently in the menopause transition, postnatal, when under medication treatment(s) that suppress vaginal estrogen.
Loss of estrogen can affect the genitourinary system in these ways:
● Loss of estrogen may cause the vaginal tissues to become thin and dry, with decreased elasticity and lubrication, often resulting in pain with sexual activity or routine pelvic examinations and even discomfort wiping after urination or wearing certain clothing.
● Symptoms such as burning, itching, or irritation of the vulva; lack of lubrication; vaginal dryness; and discomfort or pain with sexual activity are common.
● Burning on urination, increased frequency or urgency of urination, and increased risk for urinary tract infections also can occur.
● Symptoms may be more severe in women who undergo menopause because of the surgical removal of both ovaries (surgical menopause) or because of chemotherapy for cancer treatment and in those who receive aromatase inhibitors for prevention or treatment of breast cancers
Treatment options
There are many effective treatment options for GSM, including over-the-counter and prescription therapies. Therapies for less severe symptoms include nonhormone over-the-counter lubricants used as needed for sexual activity and moisturizers used regularly (several times per week) to maintain moisture. Prescription therapies include low-dose vaginal estrogens, vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone inserts, and oral ospemifene. Nonhormone lubricants and moisturizers can be used in combination with prescription therapies for more severe symptoms.
Nonhormone remedies
● Vaginal lubricants are used with sexual activity and reduce discomfort and increase pleasure by decreasing friction. These include water-, silicone-, and oil-based products. Oil-based lubricants may damage condoms and may increase the risk of vaginal infections. Lubricants should not contain flavors (sugar), warming properties, or solvents and preservatives such as propylene glycol and parabens that may cause irritation in some women.
● Vaginal moisturizers are used regularly, often several times weekly to maintain vaginal moisture, with a goal of reducing the daily symptoms of GSM.
● Regular sexual stimulation promotes vaginal blood flow and secretions. Sexual stimulation with a partner,alone, or with a device (such as a vibrator) may improve vaginal health.
● Expanding your views of sexual pleasure to include outercourse options, such as extended caressing, mutual masturbation, and massage, provides a way to remain sexually intimate in place of intercourse.
● Vaginal dilators can stretch and enlarge the vagina if it has become too short and narrow or if involuntary tightening occurs, preventing comfortable sexual activity. Dilators can be purchased online or at specialty stores and used with the guidance of a sexual medicine specialist, physical therapist, or sex therapist.
● Pelvic floor exercises can help to strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles and relax tight ones. Pelvic floor physical therapy is available with trained therapists or there are at-home devices to help strengthen the pelvic floor and treat incontinence.
Vaginal hormone therapy
● An effective and safe treatment, low-dose local estrogen applied directly to the vulva and vagina relieves vulvar and vaginal discomfort, irritation, dryness, or pain with sexual activity. Improvements usually occur within a few weeks or months with consistent use.
● FDA-approved vaginal estrogen products are available by prescription as vaginal creams (used daily for 2 wk, then 2 or 3 times/wk), a vaginal estradiol tablet or insert (used daily for 2 wk, then twice/wk), and an estradiol vaginal ring (changed every 3 mo).
● Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA; prasterone) is a hormone-containing insert placed in the vagina nightly that reduces vaginal dryness or pain with sexual activity.
Systemic estrogen therapy
Systemic estrogen therapy also treats vulvar and vaginal dryness, although most women still benefit and need the addition of vaginal hormone treatment.
Other therapies
● Ospemifene is a prescription selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM) available as an oral tablet taken daily for the treatment of vulvar and vaginal dryness or sexual pain.
● Vaginal laser therapy such as fractional CO2 laser or radiofrequency devices are FDA cleared for vaginal use but not specifically for treatment of GSM. Evidence does not support their use for treatment of vulvar and vaginal dryness, discomfort, irritation, quality of life, pain with urination, or pain with sexual activity. For those women who are not candidates for or prefer alternatives to government-approved therapies, CO2 laser treatment may be considered in the context of shared decision-making and with the understanding that these treatments are considered experimental outside of clinical trials.
Read. Listen. Learn.
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: AUA/SUFU/AUGS Guideline (2025) https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause
Podcast: #348 ‒ Women’s sexual health, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) | Rachel Rubin, M.D. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-peter-attia-drive/id1400828889?i=1000708059382
