Are You Suffering from Vaginal Atrophy?
When I went through menopause everything about the experience was still in the closet. Five years later, we have an official month celebrating menopause. Today we are freely talking about hot flashes, weight gain, aging and no longer feeling sexy.
Big progress in half a decade, BUT there is one area of women’s health that is so taboo many health care providers aren’t talking about it. Up to 75 percent of postmenopausal women may experience symptoms of it, yet only 25 percent seek medical help.1
Many of us suffer in silence from this natural part of aging, yet are too embarrassed to discuss this condition. What is it?
VAGINAL ATROPHY
Blushing? Uncomfortable? Squirming? Wondering if YOU have it? Asking yourself if your partner has it and that is why she is not interested in sex anymore?
An estimated 1.2 BILLION women worldwide will have reached menopause by 2030 – so it is time we start talking about vaginal atrophy.4
Good news! Novo Nordisk, a leader in women’s health, invited my favorite menopause influencers and me to form a team committed to raising awareness about vaginal atrophy (VA). We call ourselves GLAM™ (Great Life After Menopause), and we even have a logo and website.
As a GLAM™ (Great Life After Menopause) spokesperson, I will be able to share the latest science on VA, discuss symptoms and give you tools so you can proactively discuss VA with your health care provider.
Do you suffer from VA? 2
- Vaginal dryness
- Soreness
- Itching
- Pain and bleeding during intercourse
- Irritation
- Painful urination
GREAT NEWS! VA is treatable. Visit vaginaldiscomfort.com to complete the vaginal atrophy symptom identifier and bring it to your next medical appointment. You can use it to start the conversation.
In contrast to hot flashes, which generally settle with time, VA symptoms tend to progressively get worse.1
I know, because I suffered with VA, and I kept hoping it would go away. I thought the dryness was a normal part of aging and I should learn to live with the consequences. Unfortunately it was affecting my love life. After studying the latest research I was thrilled to learn there were treatment options.
If you think you may be suffering from VA, you are not alone! I will share information, conduct online chats, be available via Facebook and Twitter — I WILL BE TALKING ABOUT VAGINAS and VAGINAL ATROPHY! I invite you to join me in breaking the taboo, let’s talk about IT!
I am a member of GLAM™ (Great Life After Menopause), a women’s health initiative sponsored by Novo Nordisk.
For more information: VaginalDiscomfort.com
Vaginal Atrophy by Staness Jonekos, MenopauseMakeover.com
1 The North American Menopause Society. The role of local vaginal estrogen for treatment of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: 2007 position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2007; 14(3): 357–369.
2 Simon, J.A., et al. The Partners’ Survey: Impact of vaginal discomfort and its treatment – Insights, views and attitudes of postmenopausal women and their partners. North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Annual Meeting, October 2012. Abstract #1400532.
3 American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Women’s health: Stats & facts. 2011.
4 Hill K. The demography of menopause. Maturitas. 1996;23(2):113-127.
