Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018 Sep;17(3):131-134.
doi: 10.5114/pm.2018.78558. Epub 2018 Sep 30.

Signs and symptoms, evaluation, and management of genitourinary tract consequences of premature ovarian insufficiency

Anna Calik-Ksepka  1 , Monika Grymowicz  1 , Ewa Rudnicka  1 , Jolanta Skórska  1 , Paulina Machura  1 , Wojciech Pięta  1 , Roman Smolarczyk  1
Affiliations
Review

Signs and symptoms, evaluation, and management of genitourinary tract consequences of premature ovarian insufficiency

Anna Calik-Ksepka et al. Prz Menopauzalny. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurs in 1% of women under 40 years old. Hypoestrogenism associated with this condition may result in vaginal atrophy and urine incontinence, called genitourinary syndrome. The symptoms include: vaginal dryness, irritation, dyspareunia, and dysuria. There is relative lack of studies on the occurrence and treatment of genitourinary problems in women with POI. Prevalence rates vary from 17 to 54% depending on cause, duration of oestrogen depletion, and the treatment used. Patients with POI gain lower scores in tests measuring vaginal health or sexual function in comparison to healthy peers. Hormonal treatment in premature ovarian insufficiency is recommended until the natural age of menopause. The vaginal route of oestrogen administration is supposed to be the criterion standard in treating genitourinary symptoms. Androgen supplementation is not routinely recommended.

Keywords: genitourinary syndrome; oestrogen therapy; premature ovarian insufficiency.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Simon J. Non-estrogen based treatments for vaginal atrophy. Maturitas. 2015;81:106.
    1. Kokot-Kierepa M, Bartuzi A, Kulik-Rechberger B, et al. Local estrogen therapy – clinical implications – 2012 update. Ginekol Pol. 2012;83:772–777. - PubMed
    1. Gandhi J, Chen A, Dagur G, et al. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: an overview of clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, etiology, evaluation, and management. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016;215:704–711. - PubMed
    1. Piccioni P, Scirpa P, D’Emilio I, et al. Hormonal replacement therapy after stem cell transplantation. Maturitas. 2004;49:327–333. - PubMed
    1. Leining MG, Gelber S, Rosenberg R, et al. Menopausal-type symptoms in young breast cancer survivors. Ann Oncol. 2006;17:1777–1782. - PubMed