Vaginal Dryness, Painful Sex, and Urinary Changes During Menopause

These symptoms belong in the menopause conversation

The genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM, is another really common set of symptoms. It includes vaginal dryness, painful sex, and urinary symptoms.

Those urinary symptoms can include urgency, hesitancy, frequency, and recurrent urinary tract infections. These symptoms are all potentially caused by the lack of estrogen in the vaginal environment.

Sexual health matters too

Another important symptom is a change in sex drive, sex life, or libido. It is very important and not talked about enough.

These symptoms should not be treated as embarrassing side topics. They are part of the complete picture of perimenopause and menopause, and they deserve to be discussed directly.

Why the full picture matters

Perimenopause is a clinical diagnosis. It is not based on one lab result or one number. It comes from the series of symptoms you describe, including the symptoms that may be difficult to bring up.

I think it is really important to have a physician team member who understands that perimenopause and menopause can have a vast range of symptoms. It is not just that you are hot and sweaty. It may also be that you do not want to have sex anymore, you are tired all the time, your brain does not work the way it used to, or your relationships have changed.

This is a global change with mental, physical, and emotional aspects. My patients are my teammates, and these concerns belong in the conversation.