Breaking News in Menopause
There’s some major breaking news in women’s health that I’m genuinely excited to share with you. The American Urological Association just released new guidelines for something called GSM (Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause), and honestly, this information is too important not to talk about openly.
If you’ve never heard of GSM, you’re not alone. Despite affecting 50-80% of post-menopausal women, it’s one of those conditions that rarely gets discussed - even in doctor’s offices. But that’s exactly why these new guidelines are so significant.
What Exactly Is GSM?
GSM stands for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause, and it’s essentially a collection of symptoms that affect tissues from the pubic bone to the sacrum. As Dr. Mary Claire Haver perfectly explains it: “When estrogen drops during menopause, you experience thinning tissue, loss of elasticity, and changes in mucus production.”
In other words, it’s what happens when declining estrogen levels start affecting your most intimate areas - and it’s incredibly common.
The Symptoms You Should Know About
You might be experiencing GSM if you’re dealing with any of these symptoms:
• Vaginal dryness and irritation
• Painful intercourse
• Urinary frequency and urgency
• Recurrent UTIs
• Burning sensation
• General discomfort with daily activities
Sound familiar? You’re definitely not alone, and more importantly, you don’t have to just “deal with it.”
The Treatment Game-Changers
Here’s where things get really exciting. According to Dr. Rachel Rubin, local vaginal estrogen is considered the frontline treatment for GSM - even if you’re already taking systemic estrogen. This is huge news for women who thought they were out of options.
But that’s not all. Vaginal DHEA and ospemifene are also solid treatment options. While moisturizers and lubricants can provide some relief, they’re really more of a bandaid solution and don’t address those frustrating urinary symptoms.
Incredible News for Breast Cancer Survivors
This might be the most important part of the new guidelines: they specifically note that treatments like vaginal DHEA and ospemifene don’t increase breast cancer risk.
Even more encouraging? Local low-dose vaginal estrogen may be recommended after discussion with your healthcare team, and there’s no link between local vaginal estrogen and breast or endometrial cancer.
This is life-changing information for so many women who thought effective treatment wasn’t an option for them.
A New Way to Think About Vaginal Health
I absolutely love how Dr. Kelly Casperson frames this entire conversation. She compares vaginal estrogen to “preventative care, like flossing, sunscreen and seatbelts” - something that should be “accessible and affordable to whomever wants it.”
Isn’t that such a refreshing way to think about it? Just like we don’t think twice about using sunscreen to protect our skin, why should vaginal health be any different?
You Don’t Have to Suffer in Silence
Here’s what I really want you to take away from this: everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their body at every age.
If you’re experiencing any GSM symptoms, please don’t suffer in silence - and please don’t be embarrassed. These symptoms affect millions of women, but here’s the key thing: they’re highly treatable.
The most important step? Start the conversation with your healthcare provider. Come armed with this information and advocate for yourself. You deserve to feel your best, no matter your age.
The Bottom Line
These new guidelines represent a significant shift in how we understand and treat GSM. For too long, women have been told that painful intercourse, chronic UTIs, and vaginal discomfort are just “part of getting older.”
But that’s simply not true.
With proper treatment, you can absolutely maintain comfort, intimacy, and quality of life throughout menopause and beyond. The key is knowing that these options exist and being willing to have those sometimes uncomfortable conversations with your healthcare team.
Your comfort matters. Your quality of life matters. And most importantly, you matter.
xo lisa
Have you had conversations with your healthcare provider about GSM? What has your experience been like? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.