GSM - Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Symptoms, Risks, Vaginal Estrogen, Pelvic Floor PT & Radiofrequency OptionsThis Peri & Pause episode features Jamie Gallagher, a nationally board-certified family nurse practitioner and Menopause Society certified practitioner, discussing genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), the updated term replacing “vaginal atrophy” because it affects both vaginal and urinary tissues. They explain how declining estrogen causes tissue thinning that can lead to dryness, burning, itching without discharge, pain or bleeding with sex, urinary leakage, increased UTIs, and even life-threatening urosepsis, noting symptoms are often underreported and frequently dismissed as “normal.” First-line options include vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, with vaginal estrogen emphasized as key and not “duplicate therapy” with systemic hormones. Additional approaches include pelvic floor physical therapy and emerging energy-based radiofrequency (including microneedling RF) to stimulate collagen, improve continence and tissue health, with a typical three-treatment series and annual maintenance.00:00 Welcome to Peri & Pause00:39 What Is GSM02:01 Why It Matters03:32 Estrogen and Tissue Changes05:10 How Common and Why Silent06:42 Diagnosis and First Steps08:31 Vaginal Estrogen Options10:35 Beyond Estrogen Treatments12:03 Radiofrequency Explained13:36 Practice Mission Break15:16 Expected Results Timeline17:19 Research and Incontinence Types20:35 Procedure and Downtime24:04 How to Get Help25:51 Wrap Up and Disclaimer