Genitourinary syndrome of the menopause – dawn of a new era?

ABSTRACT

Many millions of postmenopausal women continue to suffer in silence from symptoms resulting from estrogen-deficient atrophy of the vulva, vagina and urinary tract whilst the medical profession continues to debate what the condition should be called, how it should be assessed and whether it should be universally treated. It is high time that a unified approach was adopted by all medical societies to reach a consensus on definitions, recognition and management. With the development of the nomenclature for genitourinary syndrome of the menopause (GSM), advances in GSM assessment tools and quality-of-life questionnaires and novel therapeutic interventions, the signs are positive that a new era is finally dawning.

Key words::

• GENITOURINARY SYNDROME OF MENOPAUSE
• GSM
• VULVOVAGINAL ATROPHY
• QUALITY OF LIFE
• MOST BOTHERSOME SYMPTOM
• VAGINAL HEALTH INDEX
• VULVA HEALTH INDEX

Conflict of interest The author has lectured and acted in an advisory capacity for a number of pharma companies.

Source of funding Nil.