TY - JOUR
T1 - Genitourinary syndrome of menopause
T2 - New terminology for vulvovaginal atrophy from the international society for the study of women's sexual health and The North American menopause society
AU - Portman, David J.
AU - Gass, Margery L S
AU - Kingsberg, Sheryl
AU - Gass, Margery
AU - Portman, David
AU - Archer, David
AU - Bachmann, Gloria
AU - Burrows, Lara
AU - Freedman, Murray
AU - Goldstein, Andrew
AU - Goldstein, Irwin
AU - Heller, Debra
AU - Iglesia, Cheryl B.
AU - Kagan, Risa
AU - Kellogg Spadt, Susan
AU - Krychman, Michael
AU - Nachtigall, Lila
AU - Nappi, Rossella E.
AU - Pinkerton, JoAnn V.
AU - Shifren, Jan
AU - Simon, James
AU - Stuenkel, Cynthia
PY - 2014/12/1
Y1 - 2014/12/1
N2 - Introduction: The terminology for the genitourinary tract symptoms related to menopause was vulvovaginal atrophy, which does not accurately describe the symptoms nor is a term that resonates well with patients. Aim: In 2012, the Board of Directors of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) and the Board of Trustees of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) acknowledged the need to review current terminology associated with genitourinary tract symptoms related to menopause. Methods: The two societies cosponsored a terminology consensus conference, which was held in May 2013. Main Outcome Measure: The development of a new terminology that more accurately described the genitourinary tract symptoms related to menopause. Results: Members of the consensus conference agreed that the term genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a medically more accurate, all-encompassing, and publicly acceptable term than vulvovaginal atrophy. GSM is defined as a collection of symptoms and signs associated with a decrease in estrogen and other sex steroids involving changes to the labia majora/minora, clitoris, vestibule/introitus, vagina, urethra, and bladder. The syndrome may include but is not limited to genital symptoms of dryness, burning, and irritation; sexual symptoms of lack of lubrication, discomfort or pain, and impaired function; and urinary symptoms of urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Women may present with some or all of the signs and symptoms, which must be bothersome and should not be better accounted for by another diagnosis. Conclusion: The term GSM was presented and discussed at the annual meeting of each society. The respective Boards of NAMS and ISSWSH formally endorsed the new terminology-genitourinary syndrome of menopause-in 2014.
AB - Introduction: The terminology for the genitourinary tract symptoms related to menopause was vulvovaginal atrophy, which does not accurately describe the symptoms nor is a term that resonates well with patients. Aim: In 2012, the Board of Directors of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health (ISSWSH) and the Board of Trustees of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) acknowledged the need to review current terminology associated with genitourinary tract symptoms related to menopause. Methods: The two societies cosponsored a terminology consensus conference, which was held in May 2013. Main Outcome Measure: The development of a new terminology that more accurately described the genitourinary tract symptoms related to menopause. Results: Members of the consensus conference agreed that the term genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a medically more accurate, all-encompassing, and publicly acceptable term than vulvovaginal atrophy. GSM is defined as a collection of symptoms and signs associated with a decrease in estrogen and other sex steroids involving changes to the labia majora/minora, clitoris, vestibule/introitus, vagina, urethra, and bladder. The syndrome may include but is not limited to genital symptoms of dryness, burning, and irritation; sexual symptoms of lack of lubrication, discomfort or pain, and impaired function; and urinary symptoms of urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Women may present with some or all of the signs and symptoms, which must be bothersome and should not be better accounted for by another diagnosis. Conclusion: The term GSM was presented and discussed at the annual meeting of each society. The respective Boards of NAMS and ISSWSH formally endorsed the new terminology-genitourinary syndrome of menopause-in 2014.
KW - Atrophic vaginitis
KW - Genitourinary syndrome of menopause
KW - Menopause
KW - Urinary urgency
KW - Vulvovaginal atrophy
KW - Women's sexual health
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U2 - 10.1111/jsm.12686
DO - 10.1111/jsm.12686
M3 - Article
C2 - 25155380
AN - SCOPUS:84913616904
VL - 11
SP - 2865
EP - 2872
JO - Journal of Sexual Medicine
JF - Journal of Sexual Medicine
SN - 1743-6095
IS - 12
ER -