Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause among Postmenopausal Women in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Genitourinary syndrome of menopause incorporates vulvovaginal and lower urinary tract symptoms related to estrogen deficiency which affects more than half of postmenopausal women. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of genitourinary syndrome of menopause among postmenopausal women attending a tertiary care center.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of tertiary care hospital from October 2019 to April 2021 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 452 6-11). A convenience sampling method was used among postmenopausal women aged 40-75 years attending gynaecology outpatient departments. The information was obtained by interview and examination. Analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data.

Results: Among the 385 postmenopausal women, 285 (74.02%) (69.63-78.40 at 95% Confidence Interval) had a diagnosis of genitourinary syndrome of menopause. The mean age of menopause was 48.2±3.6years. The most common symptom and sign were vaginal dryness in 223 (78.2%) and decreased moisture 200 (70.2%). Regarding the impact of genitourinary syndrome of menopause on quality of life, it least affected the activities of daily living and mostly on sexual functioning.

Conclusions: The study showed three-fourth of postmenopausal women suffered from genitourinary syndrome of menopause which is similar to the previous studies done in other countries, in postmenopausal women. Therefore, understanding genitourinary syndrome of menopause is vital, and assuring women those treatments are available to relieve symptoms may improve their quality of life.

Keywords: atrophy; genital; Nepal; postmenopause..