Post-menopausal Urological Changes

What are postmenopausal urological changes?

The medical name for postmenopausal urological changes is genitourinary syndrome of menopause. It was once called vulvovaginal atrophy, or more simply vaginal atrophy until researchers discovered that menopausal changes didn’t just affect the vagina and vulva; they also caused significant changes in women’s urinary tract.

When levels of estrogen drop at menopause, bodywide symptoms develop because estrogen helps regulate many functions. Estrogen is especially important for maintaining healthy vaginal and urinary tissues. Loss of estrogen reduces blood flow and makes vaginal tissues atrophy, becoming dry, thin, and significantly less elastic. Similar changes occur in the tissues lining your urinary tract.

What symptoms develop due to postmenopausal urological changes?

Women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause experience symptoms such as:

• Vaginal dryness, burning, and itching
• Urinary incontinence
• Burning during urination
• Urinary tract infections
• Frequent urination during the night
• Painful intercourse
• Bleeding after intercourse
• Less lubrication during intercourse

Changes in vaginal acidity also make you more susceptible to infections.

How are postmenopausal urological changes treated?

Treatments for postmenopausal changes include topical hormone therapy and systemic hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Topical estrogens are safe and effective for relieving vaginal atrophy.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to bring estrogen levels back to normal improves vaginal symptoms and lowers your risk for other problems like osteoporosis. However, HRT isn’t an option for all women.

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor could recommend other treatments. If urinary incontinence is your primary concern, you could benefit from therapies that specifically target that problem, such as exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles, medications that calm bladder muscles, and neuromodulation to control nerve impulses.

If you have questions about vaginal or urinary tract problems during and after menopause, call Pacific Northwest Urology Specialists or book an appointment online.