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Review
. 2021 Mar 3:10:25.
doi: 10.12703/r/10-25. eCollection 2021.

Modern management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause

Ana Sofia Da Silva  1 , Georgina Baines  1 , George Araklitis  1 , Dudley Robinson  1 , Linda Cardozo  1
Affiliations
Review

Modern management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause

Ana Sofia Da Silva et al. Fac Rev. .

Abstract

The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is the accepted term used to describe the broad spectrum of genitourinary tract symptoms and signs caused by the loss of endogenous sex steroids that occurs at the time of and after the menopause. Global improvements in healthcare have resulted in an ageing population. Today, women are spending 40% of their lives in the postmenopausal state, and with 50-70% of postmenopausal women reporting symptomatic GSM, safe and efficacious treatments are needed for this troublesome condition. This article reviews current evidence for non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments with a focus on novel and minimally invasive procedures such as energy-based devices (CO2 laser, YAG laser), hyaluronic acid, dehydroepiandrosterone, and selective oestrogen receptor modulators.

Keywords: CO2 laser; DHEA; Er:YAG; GSM; Genitourinary syndrome of menopause; Hyaluronic acid; Intrarosa; Laser; Lubricants; Moisturisers; Oestrogen; Orasterone; Ospemifene; Osphena; Ovestin; SERMS; Vagifem.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.No competing interests were disclosed.No competing interests were disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. SYLK Lubricant and Moisturiser®.
This figure was provided by SYLK (www.sylk.co.uk) with copyright permission to publish in this manuscript.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. YES Water-Based Lubricant®.
This figure was provided by The YES YES Company Ltd (www.yesyesyes.org) with copyright permission to publish in this manuscript.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Replens MD Moisturiser®.
The authors took this photograph of the product for this manuscript.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.. YES VM Vaginal Moisturising Gel ®.
This figure was provided by The YES YES Company Ltd (www.yesyesyes.org) with copyright permission to publish in this manuscript.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.. Hyalo Femme, Vaginal hydrating gel containing HYDEAL-D® 0.2%.
The authors took this photograph of the product for this manuscript.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.. Er:YAG, Fotona Smooth SP.
This figure was provided by Fotona (www.fotona.com) with copyright permission to publish in this manuscript.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.. CO2 Laser (Mona Lisa Touch, DEXA).
This figure was provided by Cynosure (www.cynosureuk.com) with copyright permission to publish in this manuscript.
Figure 8.
Figure 8.. Ovestin ® oestriol vaginal cream.
The authors took this photograph of the product for this manuscript.
Figure 9.
Figure 9.. Vagifem® oestradiol vaginal pessary.
The authors took this photograph of the product for this manuscript.
Figure 10.
Figure 10.. Premarin® conjugated oestrogen vaginal cream.
The authors took this photograph of the product for this manuscript.
Figure 11.
Figure 11.. Intrarosa ® prasterone.
This figure was provided by Theramex (www.theramex.com) with copyright permission to publish in this manuscript.
Figure 12.
Figure 12.. Osphena ® Ospemifena tablets.
The authors took this photograph of the product for this manuscript.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. United Nations: World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights (ST/ESA/SER.A/423). 2019. Reference Source
    1. Portman DJ, Gass MLS, 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. 10.1097/GME.0000000000000329 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Briggs P: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Post Reprod Health. 2020; 26(2): 111–4. 10.1177/2053369119884144 - DOI - PubMed

    2. Faculty Opinions Recommendation

    1. Pitkin J, British Menopause Society medical advisory council: BMS - Consensus statement. Post Reprod Health. 2018; 24(3): 133–8. 10.1177/2053369118795349 - DOI - PubMed

    2. Faculty Opinions Recommendation

    1. Moral E, Delgado JL, Carmona F, et al. : Genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Prevalence and quality of life in Spanish postmenopausal women. The GENISSE study. Climacteric. 2018; 21(2): 167–73. 10.1080/13697137.2017.1421921 - DOI - PubMed

    2. Faculty Opinions Recommendation

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