An online survey on coping methods for genitourinary syndrome of menopause, including vulvovaginal atrophy, among Japanese women and their satisfaction levels

• Published in: BMC women's health 2023-05, Vol.23 (1), p.282-9, Article 282
• Main Authors: Ohta, Hiroaki, Hatta, Mariko, Ota, Kuniaki, Yoshikata, Remi, Salvatore, Stefano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Atrophic Vaginitis - etiology; Atrophic Vaginitis - psychology; Atrophy; Complications and side effects; Coping methods; East Asian People - psychology; Estrogens; Female; Female Urogenital Diseases - diagnosis; Female Urogenital Diseases - etiology; Female Urogenital Diseases - therapy; Genitourinary syndrome of menopause; Gynecology; Health aspects; Health facilities; Hormone replacement therapy; Hormone therapy; Humans; Japanese women; Menopause; Menopause - physiology; Menopause - psychology; Middle age; Nationwide online survey; Nonprescription drugs; Patient outcomes; Personal Satisfaction; Questionnaires; Steroids; Treatment satisfaction; Urogenital system; Urology; Vaginal Diseases - diagnosis; Vaginal Diseases - etiology; Vaginal Diseases - therapy; Vulvovaginal atrophy; Womens health
• ISSN: 1472-6874; 1472-6874
• DOI: 10.1186/s12905-023-02439-4

This study aimed to explore the current situation and existing issues regarding the management of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) or the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). A nationwide web-based questionnaire survey was conducted among 1,031 Japanese women aged 40 years or older. Eligible women were asked to complete a questionnaire about how they dealt with their symptoms and how satisfied they were with their coping methods. Of those highly conscious of their GSM symptoms (n = 208; 20.2%), 158 had sought medical consultation (15.3%), with only 15 currently continuing to seek consultation (11.5%). Of the specialties consulted, gynecology was the most frequently consulted (55%). Furthermore, those unwilling to seek medical consultation despite their symptoms accounted for the greatest proportion (n = 359; 34.8%), with 42 (23.9%) having never sought consultation. Topical agents, e.g., steroid hormone ointments/creams, were the most frequent treatments provided by the clinics (n = 71; 40.3%), followed by oral and vaginal estrogens (n = 27; 15.5%), suggesting that estrogen therapy was not the first choice of treatment at the clinics. While 65% of patients treated at the clinics reported satisfaction with the treatments, this was inconsistent with the fact that many were reported to have remained untreated and very few continued with treatment. Survey results suggest that GSM, including VVA, remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in Japan. Medical professionals should deepen their understanding of GSM and raise their level of care to select the appropriate treatment for the condition.