Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) - a new international guideline for 2025

This was a great plenary talk at the American Urology Association annual meeting in Las Vegas on Monday 28th April. The new guideline agreed by Urology and Urogynecology highlights this under-recognised, under-managed, common outcome of menopause, directly attributable to loss of oestrogen, presenting with pelvic, vaginal and urinary tract symptoms.

The plenary lecture was in the format of a handful of case presentations, each a simulated consultation with the panel members role-playing the doctor, referring to the guideline statements and the evidence underlying these.

Take home messages included:

• be aware of the condition;

• symptoms overlap with other urological problems, and management of underlying GSM may be more appropriate than antibiotics, anticholinergics, and surgery;

• shared decision-making between patient and doctor;

• vaginal oestrogens are effective and safe;

• vaginal moisturisers (and lubricants) also help;

• treatment is long-term and it works.

  
  

  https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/genitourinary-syndrome-of-menopause