POSTMENOPAUSE TREATMENTS FOR PAINFUL SEX!
POSTMENOPAUSAL women are at increased risk of developing an uncomfortable condition, genitourinary syndrome (GSM), which can wreck their sex lives, experts warn.
As reproductive years come to a close for females — and their estrogen levels take a nosedive — at least 50 percent of gals are impacted by GSM, says Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Stephanie Faubion.
GSM encompasses many physical symptoms such as vaginal itching and dryness, which can lead to painful intercourse, and can up the odds of developing bothersome urinary tract infections.
As estrogen diminishes, the amount of normal genital fluids and the vagina’s pH balance are altered, which makes the tissue increasingly delicate and more likely to be irritated.
Mayo’s Dr. Juliana Kling adds, “I can’t tell you how many women I see that just think pain with intercourse is a normal part of aging. I’m here to tell you that is not the case.”
Kling says low-dose topical estrogens — which are available as creams, tablets and hormone-releasing rings — may safely improve GSM symptoms.
She explains other options include over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers or the oral medication ospemifene — but suggests checking with a doctor to determine the best course of action.
Some women who are within ten years of the onset of menopause find relief with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). But experts warn HRT is not a long-term solution because it may increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and breast cancer.
While GSM can’t be cured, physicians say prompt treatment can reduce the discomfort associated with it.