Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) triggers tissue thinning, elevated infection risks, and urinary dysfunction that steadily worsen over time. Declining hormone levels disrupt the natural vaginal microbiome, reducing acidity and protective bacteria to make women increasingly susceptible to recurrent urinary tract infections. Despite these severe daily disruptions, studies demonstrate that an overwhelming majority of affected individuals fail to consult medical professionals. Physicians stress that early intervention is vital to manage symptoms such as micro-tears, bladder leaks, and pain.
Key points
Declining oestrogen alters the vaginal microbiome by reducing protective bacteria and aci…: Declining oestrogen alters the vaginal microbiome by reducing protective bacteria and acidity, which heightens the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections.
Symptoms like bladder leaks, nighttime urination, and tissue tears severely disrupt daily…: Symptoms like bladder leaks, nighttime urination, and tissue tears severely disrupt daily work routines, sleep quality, and intimate relationships.
Women experiencing persistent dryness, pain, unusual skin changes, or bleeding after inte…: Women experiencing persistent dryness, pain, unusual skin changes, or bleeding after intercourse should seek prompt medical evaluation instead of assuming discomfort is inevitable.
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These seemingly unrelated symptoms may be signs of genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a common but often overlooked condition that can disrupt daily life, intimacy and relationships. Doctors explain why seeking help early can make a difference.
Vaginal dryness that makes sex painful. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) that keep coming back. The anxiety of dealing with bladder leaks.
For many women, these symptoms of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) can affect daily routines and intimacy yet are often dismissed as something that comes with ageing.
GSM describes genital, sexual and urinary symptoms linked to declining oestrogen levels during and after menopause.
It has replaced some older terms, such as vaginal atrophy, vulvar atrophy and atrophic vaginitis, which do not cover urinary symptoms, said Dr Ho Ping Ling, obstetrician and gynaecologist at Ascensus Health in Mount Alvernia Hospital.
“(The term) ‘atrophic vaginitis’ wrongly suggested an infection while ‘atrophy’ carried negative connotations that made women reluctant to talk about it,” said Dr Ho.
Research shows that GSM affects approximately 65 per cent of women one year after menopause, rising to 84 per cent…
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