Thai postmenopausal woman's view in genitourinary syndrome of menopause
Pattra Wongapai1, Titima Jirasawas1, Patsama Vichinsartvichai1
1Depatment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and their awareness, attitudes, and perception of this issue.
Study Design:
Using a specifically designed questionnaire, interviews were performed on 500 Thai postmenopausal women who attended at Vajira Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, from August 2021 to April 2022.
Results:
The mean age of the 500 participants was 60.39 ± 8.12 years. The prevalence of GSM was 47.2%. The common symptoms affected by GSM were vaginal dryness (38.5%), urinary urgency (24.6%), dyspareunia (13.6%), vaginal irritation (10.2%), vaginal burning (7.2%), and dysuria (5.9%). One-half of the women were uncomfortable talking about GSM. Three-quarters who did not reveal GSM symptoms believed that the problem was a part of aging. Only 20.3% of women who suffer from symptoms consulted a health care provider (HCP). Of the women who had been prescribed treatment, 84.6% of these women reported better quality of life.
Conclusions:
GSM is a meaningful decrement in quality of life. Most Thai postmenopausal women who had symptoms believed that the problem was the aging process. Awareness of GSM and available treatment would be a further benefit.
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