What is VVA?
Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA), also known as Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM), is a serious medical condition in which the tissues lining the inside of the vagina become thin, dry, and inflamed. This is caused by the absence of estrogen in the body. Vaginal atrophy most often occurs during menopause, however, it can occur in younger women when their estrogen levels decrease due to cancer treatment or having their ovaries removed.
If you were diagnosed with VVA, you are not alone. It affects over 32 million women in the US.
Do I have VVA?
Woman can expect to spend 40% of their life in menopause and recent research shows that over 50% of postmenopausal women experienced one or more of these symptoms.
- Vaginal irritation and dryness
- Painful intercourse (Dyspareunia) – due to lack of lubrication
- Vaginal spotting, due to small tears in the vaginal epithelium
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence
Many women attribute VVA menopause symptoms to an unavoidable natural aging process that they need to just “live with”. They are uncomfortable discussing these symptoms and are not active in seeking help.
What do I do if I have VVA?
Talk to your health care provider! Many women do not report symptoms because they are self-treating, feel their symptoms are not important enough, or are embarrassed.
Plus, there aren’t many treatment options — only 7% of those suffering are being treated due to limitations of currently available products.
What’s currently available:
- Pharmaceutical — topical vaginal estrogen – treats symptoms without increasing estrogen levels in your bloodstream. Current forms are a cream, ring and vaginal pill.
- Hormone replacement therapy, also called systemic estrogen therapy are available, but remain controversial, especially among breast cancer survivors.
- Oral Osphena – a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERMs), a newer class of pharmaceuticals that also treat other estrogen-associated conditions and diseases.
- Over-the-counter lubricants and moisturizers – used to treat symptoms, not VVA itself.
You and your healthcare provider should work closely together to come up with a treatment plan for you.
What resources are available?
Here are some links so you can be an advocate for yourself as you journey into your next lifestage.
Take the Survey.
There is no debate that VVA/GSM is a problem that should be addressed. Help raise awareness and contribute to the development of new treatment options.