Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
Kelly J. Casperson, MD, emphasizes the essential role of vaginal estrogen in treating genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). In this 9-minute talk, she explains that many women are misdiagnosed or undertreated because physicians often lack education about menopause. Vaginal estrogen, an inexpensive and effective treatment, can address multiple symptoms, including urinary tract infections (UTIs), overactive bladder, and pain during intercourse, often misinterpreted as separate issues.
Casperson highlights how GSM affects not only sexual health but also urological function, with estrogen deficiency leading to significant anatomical changes such as urethral dysfunction and vaginal atrophy. She critiques outdated misconceptions and stresses the importance of proper hormone replacement therapy over antibiotics or invasive interventions for recurrent UTIs in postmenopausal women.
Furthermore, Casperson advocates for revisiting FDA guidelines on vaginal estrogen, noting the misleading and harmful warning labels that deter its use. She encourages physicians to integrate vaginal estrogen as a first-line treatment for many menopausal symptoms.
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