Prevalence of genito-urinary symptoms in the late menopause

Abstract

One thousand two hundred women, aged 61, randomly selected from a defined geographical area in South Sweden, were interviewed by an anonymous questionnaire about their urogenital symptoms. Seventy-five percent co-operated, of whom 29.2% admitted to some degree of urinary incontinence and 48.8% some degree of lower genital tract disorder. Stress incontinence symptoms were reported by 11.8% of the women, urge incontinence by 7.9% and both types combined--"mixed" by 9.5%. Four percent of all women (18% of stress incontinence) experienced a loss sufficient to necessitate the wearing of a sanitary napkin or change of under clothing several times a day. Thirteen percent had repeated urinary tract infections. Itch, discharge and smarting pain was reported by 15%. Thirty-eight percent had vaginal dryness and dyspareunia. Only 4% of the women were undergoing estrogen therapy.