Impact of vulvovaginal health on postmenopausal women: A review of surveys on symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy

Authors

Sharon J. Parish, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Rossella E. Nappi, University of Pavia
Michael L. Krychman, University of California - Irvine
Susan Kellogg-Spadt, Pelvic and Sexual Health Institute, Philadelphia
James A. Simon, George Washington UniversityFollow
Jeffrey A. Goldstein, Novo Nordisk Inc., Princeton, NJFollow
Sheryl A. Kingsberg, Case Western Reserve University

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

7-2013

Journal

International Journal of Women's Health

Volume

Volume 5

Inclusive Pages

437 - 447

Abstract

Several recent, large-scale studies have provided valuable insights into patient perspectives on postmenopausal vulvovaginal health. Symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy, which include dryness, irritation, itching, dysuria, and dyspareunia, can adversely affect interpersonal relationships, quality of life, and sexual function. While approximately half of postmenopausal women report these symptoms, far fewer seek treatment, often because they are uninformed about hypoestrogenic postmenopausal vulvovaginal changes and the availability of safe, effective, and well-tolerated treatments, particularly local vaginal estrogen therapy. Because women hesitate to seek help for symptoms, a proactive approach to conversations about vulvovaginal discomfort would improve diagnosis and treatment.

Comments

Reproduced with permission of Dove Medical Press

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License

APA Citation

Parish, S.J., Nappi, R.E., Krychman, M.L., Kellogg-Spadt, S., Simon, J.A., Goldstein, J.A., Kingsberg, S.A. (2013). Impact of vulvovaginal health on postmenopausal women: a review of surveys on symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy. International Journal of Women's Health, 5, 437-447.

Peer Reviewed

1

Open Access

1