Symptoms
- 28 Nov 2023
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Symptoms
- Updated on 28 Nov 2023
- 1 Minute to read
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Health care professionals should ask directly about genitourinary symptoms. Women may not volunteer this information due to lack of knowledge or feelings of embarrassment.
Genitourinary symptoms in menopause include:
VULVOVAGINAL SYMPTOMS:
• Vaginal dryness, irritation, discomfort, burning and itching
• Pain with sexual intercourse.
• Decreased lubrication with sexual intercourse.
• Altered sensation and pleasure.
• Prolapse.
• Vaginal bleeding.
URINARY SYMPTOMS:
• Frequency.
• Nocturia.
• Urgency.
• Dysuria.
• Culture positive urinary tract infection.
• Incontinence.
Note:
In the VIVA study, an estimated 45% of post-menopausal women reported vaginal symptoms but only 4% were able to identify that these symptoms were related to menopause.
References and Further Information:
- NICE CKS Guidance. Menopause. Diagnosis. Last revised in Sept 2022.
- Briggs P. Consensus Statement -Urogenital atrophy. Post Reprod Health 2022.
- Nappi RE, Kokot-Kierepa M. Vaginal Health: Insights, Views & Attitudes (VIVA): results from an international survey. Climacteric 2012.
- Portman D and Gass M. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: new terminology for vulvovaginal atrophy from the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health and the North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2014.
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