Reappraisal of the Definition Criteria for "Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause," and its Effect on Quality of Life in Turkish Postmenopausal Women.

OBJECTIVE

To reappraise the definition of Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and to evaluate the prevalence and effect of GSM on quality of life in Turkish postmenopausal women.

METHODS

A multicenter, cross-sectional, and observational study was designed. Four hundred three postmenopausal women between the ages of 43-75 who attended Urology and Gynecology clinics between November 2019 and April 2020 were included.They were divided into 2 groups: Group I (GSM, n:288, 71.5%) and Group II (non-GSM, n:115, 28.5%). Demographic data, presence and intensity of genitourinary symptoms were recorded. The impact of menopause and urinary incontinence on quality of life was evaluated with the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire and the King's Health Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The most common symptoms were vaginal dryness (66.2%), reduced lubrication (55.3%), and urgency (54.8%). Urinary incontinence was present in 39.2% of women. Worse quality of life in terms of psychosocial and sexual domains of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire was significant in Group 1 (P < .001). Group 1 had significantly worse scores for all domains of the King's Health Questionnaire. Only the rate of patients with stress incontinence was higher in Group 1. However, the percentage of moderate and severe symptoms for all types of incontinence was higher in Group 1. Although the prevalence of GSM was 71.5% according to our definition, the percentage of patients previously visiting healthcare professionals for their symptoms was low (52.8%).

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that urologists and gynecologists should question both symptom groups of postmenopausal women, even if patients do not bring up genitourinary symptoms.