On August 8, International Female Orgasm Day is celebrated. There is a popular belief that once a woman enters her forties, she loses interest and enjoyment in sex. This situation could be related to the onset of genitourinary syndrome, but because it is socially normalized, many women do not seek or receive the appropriate counseling to address a situation that affects their quality of life.
Genitourinary syndrome is a common, often underestimated condition that affects the health, quality of life, and sexuality of many women starting from perimenopause and throughout menopause, which can represent a third of a woman’s life.
Once menopause is established, starting from the early years, and increasingly, up to about 45% of women will experience genital dryness, burning, itching, and pain during sexual intercourse. After the first 5 years, this percentage will be much higher, around 80%.
“It’s not that women have less sexual desire after 40, quite the contrary, but they have trouble enjoying sex. Genitourinary syndrome has a very significant impact on women’s sexuality and quality of life, but despite its prevalence, it remains surrounded by taboos and misinformation,” explains Dr. Raquel Campos, a renowned gynecologist and sexologist, director of the Proaging Women’s Unit at IM CLINIC, and president of the Spanish Society of Regenerative Functional Aesthetic Gynecology (SEGERF).
Genitourinary syndrome in menopause refers to a series of symptoms that affect women’s genital and urinary tract and usually appears during perimenopause and/or menopause. These symptoms include vaginal dryness, burning, itching, pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), urinary urgency, and recurrent urinary tract infections. The main cause of these symptoms is the decrease in estrogen levels, which causes changes in vaginal tissue and the urethra.
Genitourinary syndrome has a significant impact on women’s sexuality. Vaginal dryness and pain during sex can reduce sexual desire and cause emotional distress. In addition, urinary problems can cause discomfort and embarrassment, affecting daily life and activities. Many women assume these are “normal” problems to deal with and do not usually seek help from a specialist because they believe they are an inevitable effect of aging.
“Genitourinary syndrome in menopause is a treatable condition that deeply affects the quality of life of many women, especially impacting their sexuality and self-esteem. It is essential to increase awareness of this syndrome and break down the taboos surrounding menopause,” argues Dr. Campos.
Through education and access to effective treatments, the health and well-being of women during this stage of life can be significantly improved. Among the most effective treatments for genitourinary syndrome in IM CLINIC are:
– Vaginal estrogen therapy: Local application of estrogen in the form of creams, rings, or tablets that help restore vaginal tissue health.
– Hormone therapy with bioidentical hormones: In certain patients, treatment with bioidentical hormones improves symptoms related to genitourinary syndrome in menopause.
– Non-hormonal medications: Drugs that alleviate symptoms without using hormones, such as vaginal lubricants and moisturizers (hydrators), products that relieve vaginal dryness and improve comfort during sexual intercourse.
– Regenerative therapy: Treatments that stimulate the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues using the patient’s own tissues, such as CO2 vaginal laser and vaginal radiofrequency.
Menopause is a stage in which women will live more than a third of their lives, especially nowadays with the increase in life expectancy. However, historically, it has been a taboo subject. In many cultures, the arrival of menopause was seen as the end of femininity and vitality, stigmatizing women and forcing them to go through this stage in silence, without access to information and appropriate treatments.
Today, there is a growing movement to normalize conversations about menopause and educate women about the symptoms and treatments available. However, there is still work to be done to eliminate stigma and ensure that all women receive the support and attention they need.
IM CLINIC is the most innovative plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgery clinic in Europe. It offers a revolutionary, unique, and pioneering healthcare concept developed over more than 25 years of research by Dr. Ivan Mañero, a plastic surgeon and founder of IM CLINIC.
IM CLINIC is committed to the most advanced technology while seeking well-being in every space. A clinic designed for patients to feel immersed in a welcoming environment where they can feel comfortable, eat well, and relax.
Committed to society, IM CLINIC has carried out social and outreach actions since its inception, through health conferences and workshops or its participation in solidarity projects, such as the Fight against Female Genital Mutilation project.
Videos:
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause – Dr. Campos
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
