Dr. Kenton Bruice MD

Women's Health

Vaginal Atrophy & Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause — Denver

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) — formerly called vaginal atrophy — causes vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary urgency, and recurrent UTIs. It's highly treatable yet rarely discussed.

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Common Signs & Symptoms

  • !Vaginal dryness and irritation
  • !Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
  • !Urinary urgency and frequency
  • !Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • !Vaginal discharge changes

What Causes This?

  • Estrogen decline at menopause causing thinning and dryness of vaginal tissue
  • Reduced vaginal lubrication from estrogen loss
  • Urinary epithelial changes from estrogen withdrawal

Treatment Approaches

Local Vaginal Estrogen

Low-dose vaginal estradiol cream, ring, or suppository — minimal systemic absorption, highly effective.

Systemic HRT

For women on systemic HRT — vaginal estrogen may still be needed for local effects.

Ospemifene

Oral SERM for GSM — an option for women who prefer non-hormonal vaginal treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does vaginal estrogen cause breast cancer?

Local vaginal estrogen at recommended doses has negligible systemic absorption and is not associated with increased breast cancer risk.

Related Topics

Think This Could Be Your Issue?

A proper diagnosis is the first step. Schedule your consultation today.

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