Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1748463
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
Number 3 - March 2022Key points
-
Genitourinary syndrome is a complex chronic syndrome with multiple changes in genitourinary tissues in response to menopausal loss of estrogen.
-
Symptoms range from mild to severe and may have effects on genitourinary and sexual function, relationships and quality of life.
-
Treatments can be non-hormonal with lubricants and moisturizers or with vaginal or systemic estrogen therapy.
-
A multidisciplinary approach may be needed when there are complex problems, including sexual dysfunction.
-
The gynecologist is in a unique position to sensitively discuss the symptoms of genitourinary syndrome, advise, educate and treat appropriately, providing long-term follow-up.
The National Specialty Commission on Climateric of the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO) endorses to this document. The content production is based on scientific studies on a thematic proposal and the findings presented contribute to clinical practice.
Publication History
Article published online:
16 May 2022
© 2022. Federação Brasileira de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda.
Rua do Matoso 170, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 20270-135, Brazil
-
References
- 1 Portman DJ, Gass ML. Vulvovaginal Atrophy Terminology Consensus Conference Panel. 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; 21 (10) 1063-8
- 2 Cagnacci A, Xholli A, Sclauzero M, Venier M, Palma F, Gambacciani M. et al. Vaginal atrophy across the menopausal age: results from the ANGEL study. Climacteric 2019; 22 (01) 85-9
- 3 Nappi RE, de Melo NR, Martino M, Celis-González C, Villaseca P, Röhrich S. et al. Vaginal Health: Insights, Views & Attitudes (VIVA-LATAM): results from a survey in Latin America. Climacteric 2018; 21 (04) 397-403
- 4 The 2020 genitourinary syndrome of menopause position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause 2020; 27 (09) 976-92
- 5 Frank SM, Ziegler C, Kokot-Kierepa M, Maamari R, Nappi RE. Vaginal Health: Insights, Views & Attitudes (VIVA) survey – Canadian cohort. Menopause Int 2013; 19 (01) 20-7
- 6 Kingsberg SA, Wysocki S, Magnus L, Krychman ML. Vulvar and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: findings from the REVIVE (REal Women's VIews of Treatment Options for Menopausal Vaginal ChangEs) survey. J Sex Med 2013; 10 (07) 1790-9
- 7 Edwards D, Panay N. Treating vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause: how important is vaginal lubricant and moisturizer composition?. Climacteric 2016; 19 (02) 151-61
- 8 Potter N, Panay N. Vaginal lubricants and moisturizers: a review into use, efficacy, and safety. Climacteric 2021; 24 (01) 19-24
- 9 Dos Santos CC, Uggioni ML, Colonetti T, Colonetti L, Grande AJ, Da Rosa MI. Hyaluronic acid in postmenopause vaginal atrophy: a systematic review. J Sex Med 2021; 18 (01) 156-66
- 10 Baber RJ, Panay N, Fenton A. IMS Writing Group. 2016 IMS Recommendations on women's midlife health and menopause hormone therapy. Climacteric 2016; 19 (02) 109-50
- 11 Donders GG, Ruban K, Bellen G, Grinceviciene S. Pharmacotherapy for the treatment of vaginal atrophy. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2019; 20 (07) 821-35
- 12 Nachtigall L, Lang E, Gut R, Utian W, Archer DF, Simon J. An ultra-low dose (10μg) estradiol vaginal tablet improves signs and symptoms associated with vaginal atrophy. Fertil Steril 2008; 90 Suppl: S250
- 13 Ulrich LS, Naessen T, Elia D, Goldstein JA, Eugster-Hausmann M. VAG-1748 trial investigators. Endometrial safety of ultra-low-dose Vagifem 10 microg in postmenopausal women with vaginal atrophy. Climacteric 2010; 13 (03) 228-37
- 14 Simon J, Nachtigall L, Ulrich LG, Eugster-Hausmann M, Gut R. Endometrial safety of ultra-low-dose estradiol vaginal tablets. Obstet Gynecol 2010; 116 (04) 876-83
- 15 Eugster-Hausmann M, Waitzinger J, Lehnick D. Minimized estradiol absorption with ultra-low-dose 10 microg 17beta-estradiol vaginal tablets. Climacteric 2010; 13 (03) 219-27
- 16 Pompei LM, Fernandes CE, Melo NR. Promestrieno no tratamento da atrofia vulvovaginal: revisão sistemática. Femina 2010; 38 (07) 359-65
- 17 Sun AJ, Lin SQ, Jing LH, Wang ZY, Ye JL, Zhang Y. [Safety of promestriene capsule used in postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis]. Zhonghua Fu Chan Ke Za Zhi 2009; 44 (08) 593-6 . Chinese
- 18 Del Pup L, Di Francia R, Cavaliere C, Facchini G, Giorda G, De Paoli P. et al. Promestriene, a specific topic estrogen. Review of 40 years of vaginal atrophy treatment: is it safe even in cancer patients?. Anticancer Drugs 2013; 24 (10) 989-98
- 19 Biehl C, Plotsker O, Mirkin S. A systematic review of the efficacy and safety of vaginal estrogen products for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Menopause 2019; 26 (04) 431-53
- 20 Wańczyk-Baszak J, Woźniak S, Milejski B, Paszkowski T. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause treatment using lasers and temperature-controlled radiofrequency. Prz Menopauzalny 2018; 17 (04) 180-4
- 21 Tadir Y, Gaspar A, Lev-Sagie A, Alexiades M, Alinsod R, Bader A. et al. Light and energy based therapeutics for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: consensus and controversies. Lasers Surg Med 2017; 49 (02) 137-59
- 22 Sarmento AC, Lírio JF, Medeiros KS, Marconi C, Costa AP, Crispim JC. et al. Physical methods for the treatment of genitourinary syndrome of menopause: a systematic review. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2021; 153 (02) 200-19
- 23 Knight C, Logan V, Fenlon D. A systematic review of laser therapy for vulvovaginal atrophy/genitourinary syndrome of menopause in breast cancer survivors. Ecancermedicalscience 2019; 13: 988
- 24 Rahn DD, Carberry C, Sanses TV, Mamik MM, Ward RM, Meriwether KV. et al. Vaginal estrogen for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: a systematic review. Obstet Gynecol 2014; 124 (06) 1147-56
- 25 Cody JD, Jacobs ML, Richardson K, Moehrer B, Hextall A. Oestrogen therapy for urinary incontinence in post-menopausal women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012; 10: CD001405
- 26 Bachmann G, Santen RJ. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (vulvovaginal atrophy): treatment [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2021 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause-vulvovaginal-atrophy-treatment
- 27 Vesna A, Neli B. Benefit and safety of 28-day transdermal estrogen regimen during vaginal hysterectomy (a controlled trial). Maturitas 2006; 53 (03) 282-98
- 28 ACOG Committee Opinion No. 659: the use of vaginal estrogen in women with a history of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. Obstet Gynecol 2016; 127 (03) e93-6
- 29 Faubion SS, Larkin LC, Stuenkel CA, Bachmann GA, Chism LA, Kagan R. et al. Management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause in women with or at high risk for breast cancer: consensus recommendations from The North American Menopause Society and The International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health. Menopause 2018; 25 (06) 596-608
- 30 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Gynecologic Practice. Committee Opinion No. 659: the use of vaginal estrogen in women with a history of estrogen-dependent breast cancer [Internet]. 2016 (Reaffirmed 2020) [cited 2021 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2016/03/the-use-of-vaginal-estrogen-in-women-with-a-history-of-estrogen-dependent-breast-cancer