Urogenital aging--creation of improved awareness

Effect of the Fractional CO2 Laser on the Quality of Life, General Health, and Genitourinary Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women With Vaginal Atrophy: A Prospective Cohort

Introduction: After menopause women experience vaginal atrophy related to hormonal changes and estrogen deficiency. The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effect of the fractional CO₂ laser on the quality of life, vaginal atrophy symptoms, and urine incontinency in menopause women. Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 140 women from 2017 to 2018 in Yas hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. They encountered the fractional microablative CO2 laser system three times at four-week intervals. The short form of the Health Questionnaire (SF-12) and the Female Sexual Functional Index (FSFI) questionnaire were utilized to assess the participants' quality of life. Also, the standard measuring tools including the vaginal health index (VHI) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ) Form were used to evaluate the vaginal atrophy symptoms. Results: The quality of life improved significantly in somatic, social function, and mental health. In the sexual context, arousal and satisfaction status improved significantly. Also, the frequency of urinary incontinence, enuresis, urgency, and the leak improved significantly (P<0.05). Among the scale variables for urinary function, it was seen that the urgency impact had no improvement. All vaginal indices improved (P<0.05). Conclusion: The fractional CO₂ laser can be effective in treating vaginal atrophy and urinary symptoms. Besides, it improved the quality of life and the sexual function of post-menopausal women.

Restrições causadas pela incontinência urinária à vida da mulher

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar as restrições causadas pela incontinência urinária (IU) à vida da mulher, considerando-se o tipo de incontinência, e verificar como manejam este problema. Trata-se de uma análise secundária de dados obtidos em estudo anterior, coletados por meio de entrevista com perguntas abertas e fechadas. A amostra foi composta por 164 mulheres com queixa de IU, internadas em clínicas de ginecologia e urologia de dois hospitais-escola da cidade de Campinas, SP. Apresentavam idade entre 25 e 85 anos e 104 (64%) referiram uma ou mais restrições. Citaram alterações nas atividades sexuais (40,9%), sociais (33,5%), domésticas (18,9%) e ocupacionais (15,2%). A incontinência urinária mista e a de urgência forem as que mais afetavam a vida das mulheres. A estratégia mais utilizada para minimizar a IU foi o uso de forro e/ou absorvente higiênico. Concluiu-se que a IU tem implicações negativas no cotidiano dessas mulheres.

Sex and the mature woman

Menopause is associated with myths about the death of sexual vitality. While menopause causes many women to experience vasomotor instability, problems with osteoporosis, urogenital aging, and increased risk of heart disease, these issues can now be addressed with hormonal replacement strategies or alternative therapies. The menopausal woman today can be relatively comfortable with regard to direct menopausal symptoms of estrogen deficiency as a result of medical therapies. Sexual health and intimacy should also be considered in a holistic approach to the menopausal patient. The mature or postmenopausal woman need not abandon sexual intimacy. This review article presents information about sexual health in woman who are perimenopausal or postmenopausal. It explores a variety of medical, psychiatric, and psychological factors that can lead to either sexual health and comfort or sexual dysfunction and dissatisfaction. Given the benefit of good health, a loving relationship, and appropriate medical care, sexual vigor can continue in the mature years of a woman's life.