Phoenix
Senior Member
- Location
- Oregon, U S
I'd gone to the doctor for antibiotics for a urinary tract infection (UTI). I'd had a UTI enough times over the years to know the symptoms. They did the usual test. He told me I didn't have one. I argued with him. But he was right. What I had instead is called ******l atrophy. I later learned that at least fifty percent of woman experience this after menopause, especially if they don't take hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I stopped taking mine when my sister's HRT gave her breast cancer. She died from it.
Posting something like this is a bit intimate, but it's a real problem that need to be out in the open. So I'm posting this for those who may not be aware of it, or are, but don't know what to do about it. Some people are embarrassed to talk about it.
The following information comes from the Mayo Clinic in the U.S., a reputable place which gives sound information. The things in parentheses are my inserts.
******l atrophy -atrophic vaginitis- is thinning, drying and inflammation of the ******l walls due to your body having less estrogen. ******l atrophy occurs most often after menopause.
For many women, ******l atrophy not only makes intercourse painful, but also leads to distressing urinary symptoms. Because of the interconnected nature of the ******l and urinary symptoms of this condition, experts agree that a more accurate term for ******l atrophy and its accompanying symptoms is "genitourinary syndrome of menopause - GSM."
Symptoms - ******l dryness, ******l burning, ******* itching, burning with urination, urgency with urination, more urinary tract infections, urinary inconinence, light bleeding during intercourse, discomfort during intercourse, decreased ******l lubrication during sexual activity, shortening and tightening of the ******l canal.
Nearly half of postmenopausal women experience GSM, although few seek treatment. Many women resign themselves to the symptoms or are embarrassed to discuss them with their doctor. (One of my doctors was uncomfortable talking about it.)
Replens, Vagisil Feminine Moisturizer and others or water-based lubricant, glycerin-free versions of Astroglide, K-Y Intrigue and others can help some. (I found a natural estrogen gel that seemed to help for a while. It no longer does. It's call Pueraria Mirifica. Since it's estrogen, there can be some risk, but it's not nearly as risky applied topically to the ******l area as it is to take pills. My doctor recommended the estrogen cream made by a standard pharmacutical, but my insurance would not pay for it. Plus, it makes me nervous to use it.)
Causes - Genitourinary syndrome of menopause GSM is caused by a decrease in estrogen production. Less estrogen makes your ******l tissues thinner, drier, less elastic and more fragile.
A drop in estrogen levels may occur after menopause, after surgery to remove both ovaries, after pelvic radiation therapy for cancer, after chemotherapy for cancer and can be a side effect of breast cancer hormonal treatment.
GSM signs and symptoms may begin to bother you during the years leading up to menopause, or it may not become a problem until several years into menopause. Although the condition is common, not all menopausal women experience GSM. Regular sexual activity, with or without a partner, can help you maintain healthy ******l tissues.
Certain factors may contribute to genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), such as: No ******l births. Researchers have observed that women who have never given birth ******lly are more likely to develop GSM than women who have had ******l deliveries. No sexual activity. Sexual activity, with or without a partner, increases blood flow and makes your ******l tissues more elastic. (The doctor who diagnosed me told me that the tissues in the area can be reduced to one cell thick. It's easy to rip them. it is very painful when this happens.)
GMS increases your risk of: ******l infections - changes in the acid balance of your ****** makes ******l infections -vaginitis- more likely. Urinary problems - urinary changes associated with GSM can contribute to urinary problems. You might experience increased frequency or urgency of urination or burning with urination. Some women experience more urinary tract infections or incontinence.
What to do about it: regular sexual activity with or without a partner may help prevent it. Sexual activity increases blood flow to the ****** and helps keep ******l tissues healthy.
Posting something like this is a bit intimate, but it's a real problem that need to be out in the open. So I'm posting this for those who may not be aware of it, or are, but don't know what to do about it. Some people are embarrassed to talk about it.
The following information comes from the Mayo Clinic in the U.S., a reputable place which gives sound information. The things in parentheses are my inserts.
******l atrophy -atrophic vaginitis- is thinning, drying and inflammation of the ******l walls due to your body having less estrogen. ******l atrophy occurs most often after menopause.
For many women, ******l atrophy not only makes intercourse painful, but also leads to distressing urinary symptoms. Because of the interconnected nature of the ******l and urinary symptoms of this condition, experts agree that a more accurate term for ******l atrophy and its accompanying symptoms is "genitourinary syndrome of menopause - GSM."
Symptoms - ******l dryness, ******l burning, ******* itching, burning with urination, urgency with urination, more urinary tract infections, urinary inconinence, light bleeding during intercourse, discomfort during intercourse, decreased ******l lubrication during sexual activity, shortening and tightening of the ******l canal.
Nearly half of postmenopausal women experience GSM, although few seek treatment. Many women resign themselves to the symptoms or are embarrassed to discuss them with their doctor. (One of my doctors was uncomfortable talking about it.)
Replens, Vagisil Feminine Moisturizer and others or water-based lubricant, glycerin-free versions of Astroglide, K-Y Intrigue and others can help some. (I found a natural estrogen gel that seemed to help for a while. It no longer does. It's call Pueraria Mirifica. Since it's estrogen, there can be some risk, but it's not nearly as risky applied topically to the ******l area as it is to take pills. My doctor recommended the estrogen cream made by a standard pharmacutical, but my insurance would not pay for it. Plus, it makes me nervous to use it.)
Causes - Genitourinary syndrome of menopause GSM is caused by a decrease in estrogen production. Less estrogen makes your ******l tissues thinner, drier, less elastic and more fragile.
A drop in estrogen levels may occur after menopause, after surgery to remove both ovaries, after pelvic radiation therapy for cancer, after chemotherapy for cancer and can be a side effect of breast cancer hormonal treatment.
GSM signs and symptoms may begin to bother you during the years leading up to menopause, or it may not become a problem until several years into menopause. Although the condition is common, not all menopausal women experience GSM. Regular sexual activity, with or without a partner, can help you maintain healthy ******l tissues.
Certain factors may contribute to genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), such as: No ******l births. Researchers have observed that women who have never given birth ******lly are more likely to develop GSM than women who have had ******l deliveries. No sexual activity. Sexual activity, with or without a partner, increases blood flow and makes your ******l tissues more elastic. (The doctor who diagnosed me told me that the tissues in the area can be reduced to one cell thick. It's easy to rip them. it is very painful when this happens.)
GMS increases your risk of: ******l infections - changes in the acid balance of your ****** makes ******l infections -vaginitis- more likely. Urinary problems - urinary changes associated with GSM can contribute to urinary problems. You might experience increased frequency or urgency of urination or burning with urination. Some women experience more urinary tract infections or incontinence.
What to do about it: regular sexual activity with or without a partner may help prevent it. Sexual activity increases blood flow to the ****** and helps keep ******l tissues healthy.
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