Podcast Summary
Menopause and Sexual Health: Breaking the Stigma: Female urologists advocate for inclusive menopause care, recognizing the importance of addressing both genital and urinary symptoms holistically.
Menopause is a complex health transition that affects various aspects of women's lives, including sexual health. Dr. Rachel Prescott, a female urologist and sexual health specialist from the US, emphasized the importance of recognizing this and breaking down the stigma surrounding menopause-related sexual issues. She highlighted that female urologists, who specialize in the urinary and sexual health of all genders, are still underrepresented in the medical field despite women having the same anatomical structures. Dr. Prescott advocated for a more inclusive approach to menopause care, emphasizing that genital urinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is not just about vaginal dryness but also includes urinary symptoms. She urged for a shift in language to better reflect the holistic nature of menopause symptoms and the importance of addressing them comprehensively.
Vaginal dryness: More than just a minor issue: Untreated vaginal dryness can lead to urinary tract infections and other health complications. Normalize discussions about women's health and prioritize preventative measures to maintain vaginal health.
Vaginal dryness is not just a minor issue, but a potential indicator of underlying health concerns. While lubricants and moisturizers can provide temporary relief, they do not address the root cause. Untreated vaginal dryness can lead to urinary tract infections, which can be life-threatening. Moreover, the lack of awareness and discomfort with discussing private issues can hinder proper prevention and treatment. The changes women experience during menopause, such as the thinning and irritation of tissues, can lead to various symptoms, including urinary issues and vaginal discomfort. These symptoms can be debilitating and difficult to manage without proper intervention. It is crucial to normalize discussions about women's health and prioritize preventative measures, such as vaginal hormones, to maintain vaginal health and prevent complications.
Changes in testosterone levels can cause menopause symptoms early: Testosterone plays a role in women's health, contributing to genital and urinary symptoms during menopause, and vaginal hormones can provide relief without increasing systemic hormone levels.
The symptoms of menopause, such as genital and urinary issues, can begin before the official onset of menopause, often in a woman's late 30s or early 40s. This may be due to changes in testosterone levels, as the tissue in the vulva, urethra, bladder, and vagina all have testosterone receptors. Vaginal hormones, including estrogen and DHEA, can provide relief for these symptoms without increasing systemic hormone levels or causing harm. The American Urologic Association recommends vaginal hormones for peri- and postmenopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections. Many women experience additional benefits, such as improved cognitive function, reduced muscle and joint pain, and better sleep, when testosterone is added to hormone replacement therapy. The presence of testosterone receptors in the female genital area suggests that testosterone plays an important role in women's health, beyond its traditional association with male sexual function.
Vaginal DHEA: An Additional Option for Women's Health: Vaginal DHEA, a precursor to both estrogen and testosterone, offers additional benefits for women's health beyond estrogen alone. It may reduce urinary tract infections, improve tissue health, and be effective for women who don't respond to vaginal estrogen.
Vaginal DHEA, also known as Enchirosa, offers additional benefits beyond estrogen alone for women's health. While vaginal estrogen is a popular and affordable option, vaginal DHEA may be beneficial due to its conversion to both estrogen and testosterone in the vagina. This conversion may have a larger impact on women's health than estrogen alone. The data suggests that vaginal DHEA can reduce urinary tract infections at a similar rate to vaginal estrogen, and it may even be effective for women who don't respond well to vaginal estrogen. Additionally, vaginal DHEA has lubricating and moisturizing properties that make it a desirable option for some women. Furthermore, vaginal DHEA may be particularly effective for improving tissue health in the vulvar vestibule, an area surrounding the urethra that is commonly painful for women. Overall, while more research is needed, vaginal DHEA provides an additional option for women's health, especially for those who don't respond well to vaginal estrogen or have pain in the vulvar vestibule area.
Understanding the potential benefits of testosterone therapy for women: Clinical evidence and robust data are crucial in evaluating the benefits of testosterone therapy for women, extending beyond libido enhancement to potential improvements in bone and urinary tract health.
The discussion highlights the importance of both clinical evidence and robust data in understanding the potential benefits of testosterone therapy for women. While there may not be extensive research or randomized controlled studies, anecdotal evidence and biological reasoning suggest that testosterone could have positive effects beyond libido enhancement. These potential benefits include bone health and urinary tract health. The stigma against testosterone therapy for women and the stringent guidelines for its prescription are distressing for some women, especially those who experience varying libido levels. The evolving nature of science relies on trends, clinical observations, and collaborative efforts to advance knowledge and improve healthcare.
Respecting patient autonomy in gender-affirming healthcare: Healthcare providers should approach gender-affirming treatments with evidence-based knowledge, shared decision-making, and respect for patient autonomy, recognizing the potential benefits and uncertain risks.
Individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their bodies and their healthcare, including gender-affirming treatments. This applies to both men and women, and healthcare providers should approach these decisions with evidence-based knowledge, shared decision-making, and respect for patient autonomy. While long-term data and potential risks may be uncertain, the benefits of certain treatments, such as hormone therapy, can significantly improve quality of life for some individuals. It's essential to acknowledge that wellbeing is multifaceted and can be challenging to measure in studies, and individuals should be supported in their choices rather than being told what they cannot do. The male sexual medicine world provides valuable insights into the application of these principles to the female side of gender-affirming care.
Testosterone therapy's positive effects: Despite negative headlines, testosterone therapy can improve quality of life, sexual function, and orgasm for both men and women without major harm. Individual experiences and goals vary, and it's a valuable option for those seeking to enhance their sexual health.
Testosterone therapy, for both men and women, has been unfairly characterized with negative headlines when the data shows overwhelmingly positive results for improving quality of life, sexual function, and orgasm without causing major harm. The fear of side effects like clitoromegaly or deepening of voice is largely unfounded when using evidence-based doses. It's important to remember that patient choices are crucial and individual experiences and goals vary. Testosterone therapy is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it can be a valuable option for those seeking to improve their sexual health. It's also worth noting that the potential risks of other medical treatments are often much more severe than those associated with testosterone therapy.
Transforming sexual health for cost savings: Addressing vaginal dryness with hormones can prevent UTIs, saving money on hospitalizations, antibiotics, and urgent care visits.
Improving sexual health, including addressing vaginal dryness, can lead to significant health benefits and cost savings, especially in the area of preventing urinary tract infections. It's important to prioritize patient care and focus on the transformative impact of treatments, rather than societal pressures or negative feedback on social media. Vaginal hormones, while previously expensive, are now becoming more affordable and are the only proven method to reduce urinary tract infections. The cost savings from preventing hospitalizations, antibiotic resistance, and urgent care visits for urinary tract infections can be substantial. By changing the narrative around vaginal dryness and its implications, we can improve women's lives and save governments significant amounts of money.
Women's UTIs: Physical, Emotional, and Economic Consequences: Recurrent UTIs in women lead to long hospital stays, frequent primary care visits, unnecessary tests and medications, impacting their ability to work, causing relationship problems, and substantial healthcare costs.
The lack of proper understanding and treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women leads to significant physical, emotional, and economic consequences. Women often experience recurrent UTIs, which can lead to long hospital stays, frequent primary care visits, and unnecessary tests and medications. These issues can impact women's ability to work, cause relationship problems, and even lead to divorce. Moreover, the cost to the healthcare system is substantial due to the high use of antibiotics, painkillers, and other medications. This problem is particularly prevalent during menopause and is more common than people realize. The stigma surrounding women's health issues prevents open discussions and delays proper treatment. To address this, we need to shift the narrative and prioritize women's health, starting with education and awareness. The potential benefits include improved quality of life, reduced healthcare costs, and a more equitable healthcare system.
Three actions for women with GSM during menopause: Speak with doctor about vaginal hormones, discuss with oncologist for aromatase inhibitors, and use consistently for optimal benefits.
For women experiencing symptoms related to Genital Urinary Syndrome (GSM) during menopause, there are three key actions they can prioritize to help alleviate their symptoms. First, they should speak with their doctor about using vaginal hormone products, which are safe and effective in reducing urinary symptoms, improving sexual health, and preventing urinary tract infections. Second, for women on aromatase inhibitors, a conversation with their oncologist is necessary to discuss the potential benefits and safety of using vaginal hormones. Lastly, it's important to note that vaginal hormones, also known as female Viagra, have existed since the 1970s and can significantly improve sexual health and prevent urinary tract infections. These hormones should be used consistently, like sunscreen or a seatbelt, to ensure maximum benefit. Overall, taking these steps can lead to improved quality of life for women during menopause. For more information, visit www.newsonhealth.co.uk and download the free Balance app on the App Store or Google Play.
