2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieio Hospital, Athens, Greece.
1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Climacteric. 2024 Jun;27(3):289-295. doi: 10.1080/13697137.2024.2314504. Epub 2024 Feb 28.
The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is often underdiagnosed and undertreated despite its significant impact on postmenopausal quality of life. We assessed the prevalence of GSM and associated symptoms in Greek perimenopausal/postmenopausal women attending gynecology clinics.
Four hundred and fifty women, aged 40-70 years (93.1% postmenopausal), attending three gynecology clinics at university hospitals completed a validated questionnaire and underwent pelvic examination.
GSM was diagnosed in 87.6% of the women at the study visit, whereas only 16% of the overall sample had been previously diagnosed with the condition. Vaginal dryness (72.7%), vulvar burning sensation or itching (58.0%) and dyspareunia (52.7%) were the most prevalent symptoms. Pelvic signs consisted of vaginal dryness (89.1%), loss of vaginal rugae (80.6%) and vulvovaginal pallor (86.9%). However, only 31.3% of the participants had discussed genitourinary symptoms with their health-care professionals (HCPs). Regarding management, only 11.1% of women had prior experience with any form of therapy, and currently only 8.7% were receiving treatment.
GSM is highly prevalent in this Greek perimenopausal/postmenopausal population. Nevertheless, the majority of women remain undiagnosed and untreated. Education for both women and HCPs regarding GSM will lead to improved diagnosis and better management of this syndrome.
尽管绝经后女性的泌尿生殖系统综合征（GSM）对其生活质量有重大影响，但该疾病仍常被漏诊和治疗不足。我们评估了希腊围绝经期/绝经后女性就诊妇科诊所时 GSM 及相关症状的流行情况。
450 名年龄在 40-70 岁（93.1%绝经后）的女性在 3 所大学附属医院的妇科诊所就诊，她们填写了一份经过验证的问卷并接受了盆腔检查。
在研究就诊时，87.6%的女性被诊断为 GSM，但仅有 16%的女性此前曾被诊断患有该疾病。阴道干燥（72.7%）、外阴烧灼感或瘙痒（58.0%）和性交困难（52.7%）是最常见的症状。盆腔体征包括阴道干燥（89.1%）、阴道皱褶丧失（80.6%）和外阴阴道苍白（86.9%）。然而，仅有 31.3%的参与者曾与医疗保健专业人员（HCPs）讨论过泌尿生殖系统症状。关于治疗，仅有 11.1%的女性曾有过任何形式的治疗经历，目前仅有 8.7%的女性正在接受治疗。
GSM 在希腊围绝经期/绝经后女性中患病率很高。然而，大多数女性仍未被诊断和治疗。对女性和 HCPs 进行 GSM 教育将有助于提高该疾病的诊断率，并改善其治疗。
