Vaginal Health in Menopausal Women

• Published in: Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Lithuania), 2019-09, Vol.55 (10), p.615
• Main Authors: Alvisi, Stefania, Gava, Giulia, Orsili, Isabella, Giacomelli, Giulia, Baldassarre, Maurizio, Seracchioli, Renato, Meriggiola, Maria Cristina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Intravaginal; Atrophy - epidemiology; Atrophy - therapy; Emollients - administration & dosage; Female; genitourinary syndrome; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Laser Therapy; Lubricants - administration & dosage; menopausal women; Perimenopause - physiology; Postmenopause - physiology; Review; Vagina - pathology; Vagina - physiopathology; Vaginal Diseases - diagnosis; Vaginal Diseases - epidemiology; Vaginal Diseases - therapy; vaginal health; vulvovaginal atrophy
• ISSN: 1648-9144; 1010-660X; 1648-9144; 1010-660X
• DOI: 10.3390/medicina55100615

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of genitourinary health in peri- and postmenopause, particularly of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), which is part of genitourinary syndrome (GSM). This condition has a high prevalence among post-menopausal women and negatively affects a woman's quality of life. Epidemiology, signs, symptoms, diagnostic criteria of VVA and target treatments for restoring vaginal health are discussed in light of the most recent literature. Issues related to this condition in menopausal women are under-diagnosed, lack objective diagnostic criteria, and consequently under-treated. Over the years, many treatments have been developed but their long-term effectiveness and safety have yet to be clearly defined. Patients are often dissatisfied and stop treatment, suggesting the need for a more personalized and tailored approach to achieve better compliance and thereby effectiveness. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the most recent literature on VVA in order to help the gynecologist in the management of this condition.