A Call to Change the Narrative on Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Abstract

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause affects up to 54% of postmenopausal women. Historically, women have been led to believe that symptoms such as vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and vaginal itching were manifestations that they would just have to live with, but now, more than ever before, treatment options are available. More importantly, nurses are in a position to change the narrative of genitourinary syndrome of menopause by normalizing the conversation about menopause and its sequelae of genitourinary symptoms.

Keywords: atrophic vaginitis; genitourinary syndrome of menopause; menopause; postmenopausal; urogenital atrophy; vulvovaginal atrophy.