Vaginal atrophy and GSM
Each card is one question. Open it to see what published guidance says and what to ask next.
What makes GSM hard to bring up with a clinician
Vaginal atrophy and GSM, short for genitourinary syndrome of menopause, can be an awkward subject to raise, so it is easy to accept the first answer you get. The questions below help you compare what you are told and decide what to ask next.
Three reference pages are useful to read alongside the questions. Read the Cleveland Clinic guide to vaginal atrophy causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Read the Menopause Society page on sexual health. MedlinePlus offers a wider menopause overview for context.
Five questions about vaginal atrophy and GSM
Each question has its own page.
- Can GSM be undone, or only managed?
- How many women end up dealing with GSM?
- Which hormonal treatments exist, and what do they trade off?
- What can I try that does not involve hormones?
- What brings on GSM in the first place?
A short list for the exam room
Bring a short list to the appointment:
- Are my symptoms consistent with GSM, or could something else be going on?
- What are the hormonal and nonhormonal options, and what are the trade-offs of each for me?
- How long should I try one option before we judge whether it is working?
- What in my history changes which options are suitable?
If you are not getting clear answers, asking a second clinician the same questions is reasonable.
Reading about GSM can sharpen the questions you ask, but only an examination by your own clinician can tell you what is causing your symptoms.