Genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Prevalence and quality of life in Spanish postmenopausal women. The GENISSE study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and urogynecological conditions associated with menopause, and to evaluate the impact of GSM on quality of life in a cohort of Spanish postmenopausal women.

Methods: Multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study involving 430 women.

Results: The prevalence of GSM was 70%. GSM was diagnosed in 60.2% of women with no known diagnosis of vulvovaginal atrophy or GSM. Most prevalent symptoms were vaginal dryness (93.3%) and reduced lubrication with sexual activity (90.0%). Most prevalent signs were decreased moisture (93.7%) and loss of vaginal rugae (78.4%). GSM was significantly associated with stress or mixed urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and vaginal prolapse. Symptoms showed a low-moderate impact on quality of life, mainly in sexual functioning and self-concept and body image.

Conclusions: The GSM is very prevalent in Spanish postmenopausal women, affecting up to 70% of those consulting the gynecologist. Despite the high prevalence of symptoms and signs and its impact on the women's well-being, GSM remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. Given its relationship with urogynecological conditions, it seems necessary to provide an adequate evaluation of postmenopausal women for identifying potential co-morbidities and providing most adequate treatments. An adequate management of GSM will contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of these women.

Keywords:

• Genitourinary syndrome of menopause
• GSM
• postmenopausal
• prevalence
• Spain
• quality of life
• vaginal aging
• vaginal atrophy

Acknowledgements

Participants in the GENISSE study were as follows: E. M. Contreras (Cádiz), R. León (Cádiz), C. González (Sevilla), M. I. Massé (Sevilla), E. Flores (Sevilla), R. Rodríguez (Orense), I. Lago (Pontevedra), A. M. González (Vigo), O. Valenzuela (Vigo), M. Villegas (Barcelona), A. Jordán (Barcelona), B. Meneses (Barcelona), I. Núñez (Barcelona), C. J. Pace (Barcelona), P. Beroiz (Barcelona), A. Martí (Barcelona), J. G. Hernández (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), L. González (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), M. Muñoz (Barcelona), J. R. Méndez (Barcelona), S. González (Barcelona), V. Rayo (Barcelona), M. Amorós (Barcelona), J. R. Rodríguez (Barcelona), C. Pedrosa (Granada), R. Herrera (Málaga), J. García (Málaga), R. Laza (Málaga), M. C. Rodríguez (Granada), A. Jarque (León), J. L. Solís (Oviedo), L. Vior (Oviedo), C. M. Rodríguez (Asturias), J. V. Carmona (Valencia), J. Server (Valencia), M. González (Valencia), L. J. Matute (Valencia), F. Ridocci (Valencia), R. V. García (Valencia), J. Moro (Salamanca), C. E. García (Zamora), M. J. Velasco (Ávila), A. Martín (Burgos), J. I. González (Valladolid), J. Velasco (Valladolid), C. Oliva (Castellón), A. Estrada (Valencia), D. Mares (Valencia), F. Ruiz (Valencia), C. Vignardi (Madrid), M. A. Martínez (Madrid), J. Lázaro (Madrid), A. Palacín (Madrid), L. San Frutos (Madrid), J. A. Navas (Córdoba), J. J. Hijona (Jaén), E. Velasco (Córdoba), M. Pérez (Lugo), M. J. Carballo (La Coruña), C. González (La Coruña), G. Tejada (Albacete), L. Sánchez (Ciudad Real), C. Martín (Toledo), M. Rey (Islas Baleares), V. H. Chávez (Islas Baleares), M. C. González (Madrid), A. R. Masero (Madrid), I. Ramírez (Madrid), C. Martín-Ondarza (Madrid), E. Vizcaíno (Madrid), N. Ros (Tarragona), A. Calvo (Lérida), J. C. Riera (Gerona), J. Salinas (Tarragona), F. R. Blanco (Badajoz), J. A. Sánchez (Badajoz), A. Monrobel (Cáceres), S. Escudero (La Rioja), A. López (Huesca), M. P. del Tiempo (Zaragoza), C. J. Elorriaga (Zaragoza), C. Ceballos (Cantabria), J. Oraa (Vizcaya), F. Mozo (Vizcaya), B. Otero (Vizcaya), T. M. Diaz (Vizcaya), S. Andreu (Madrid), L. Almarza (Madrid), R. Rodríguez (Guadalajara), M. Puch (Madrid), A. Hernández (Madrid), J. de la Fuente (Madrid), M. Ferrero (Barcelona), A. Reus (Barcelona), M. Guinot (Barcelona), M. Muñoz (Barcelona), A. Bernad (Barcelona), A. Torrent (Barcelona), V. Turrado (Barcelona), I. Etxabe (Guipúzcoa), I. Fernández (Navarra), M. Martínez (Álava), M. C. Castro (Murcia), J. Rodríguez (Alicante), C. González (Alicante), V. M. Lago (Murcia), R. Lorente (Alicante), M. A. Nieto (Las Palmas), M. Sosa (Las Palmas), M. Montero (Huelva), M. M. Falcón (Sevilla), A. Polo (Sevilla), S. Cruz (Madrid), M. Rius (Barcelona).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. ITF Research Pharma personnel work in the Medical Department that sponsored the study.

Additional information

Funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was funded by ITF Research Pharma S.L.U.