Multidisciplinary Overview of Vaginal Atrophy and Associated Genitourinary Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women. Issue 2 (22nd October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goldstein, Irwin; Dicks, Brian; Kim, Noel N.; Hartzell, Rose
• Is Part Of: Sexual medicine. Volume 1:Issue 2(2013)
• Page Start: 44
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2013-10-22
• Subjects: Sexual disorders -- Periodicals; Sexual health -- Periodicals; 616.69005
• DOI: 10.1002/sm2.17
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-1161

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="sm217-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Introduction</title> <p>Vaginal atrophy, which may affect up to 45% of postmenopausal women, is often associated with one or more urinary symptoms, including urgency, increased frequency, nocturia, dysuria, incontinence, and recurrent urinary tract infection.</p> </sec> <sec id="sm217-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>To provide an overview of the current literature regarding cellular and clinical aspects of vaginal atrophy and response to treatment with local vaginal estrogen therapy.</p> </sec> <sec id="sm217-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>PubMed searches through February 2012 were conducted using the terms "vaginal atrophy, " "atrophic vaginitis, " and "vulvovaginal atrophy." Expert opinion was based on review of the relevant scientific and medical literature.</p> </sec> <sec id="sm217-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Main Outcome Measure</title> <p>Genitourinary symptoms and treatment of vaginal atrophy from peer‐reviewed published literature.</p> </sec> <sec id="sm217-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Typically, a diagnosis of vaginal atrophy is made based on patient‐reported symptoms, including genitourinary symptoms, and an examination that reveals signs of the disorder; however, many women are hesitant to report vaginal‐related symptoms, primarily because of embarrassment.</p> </sec> <sec id="sm217-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Physicians in various disciplines are encouraged to initiate open discussions about vulvovaginal health with postmenopausal women, including recommended treatment options. <bold>Goldstein I, Dicks B, Kim NN, and Hartzell R. Multidisciplinary overview of vaginal atrophy and associated genitourinary symptoms in postmenopausal women. Sex Med 2013;1:44–53.</bold></p> </sec> </abstract>