Vaginal atrophy and GSM

Vaginal atrophy and GSM in plain terms

Vaginal atrophy is also called genitourinary syndrome of menopause. The short answers below are collected in one place so you can find the one that matches your question.

We wrote these guides for readers who are juggling work, family, and travel. For that reason each answer also covers the practical side: what to bring to an appointment, what to ask about timing, and what to do when a treatment plan hits a snag.

Questions we answer

Pick the question closest to yours and open its short guide.

• Reversal and outlook: Can vaginal atrophy (GSM) be reversed?
• How often it happens: How common is vaginal atrophy (GSM)?
• The basics: What is vaginal atrophy?
• Hormone-based options: What are the hormonal treatment options for vaginal atrophy (GSM)?
• Underlying causes: What causes vaginal atrophy (GSM)?
• Options without hormones: What are nonhormonal treatments for vaginal atrophy (GSM)?

Where to go for expert guidance

These vaginal atrophy guides turn public health pages into questions for your visit, and they do not diagnose your symptoms. When you want a professional society's view, the sexual health pages from the Menopause Society are written for patients. For an overview of how menopause is treated, see the Office on Women's Health page on menopause treatment.

Before an appointment, write down when your symptoms started, what you have already tried, and how a normal week looks for you. If a treatment has directions you could miss or mix up, such as a schedule or a refill, ask your prescriber or pharmacist what to do if that happens. The answer for your situation depends on the specific product and on you.