Introduction The prevalence of menopausal women with confirmed vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) oscillates between 67–98%. Aim To assess the prevalence of postmenopausal women with VVA confirmed by gynecologic clinical assessment among all women attending menopause centers in Spain, as well as to describe the impact of VVA on quality of life and sexual functioning. Methods Women aged 45–75 years old with the last menstrual period >12 months before were included in a cross-sectional study. Main Outcome Measures Women with ≥1 VVA symptoms filled out a number of questionnaires, including EuroQoL, Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging, Female Sexual Function Index, and Female Sexual Distress Scale-revised. A gynecologic examination was performed to confirm diagnosis. Results 1,177 evaluable patients were included. VVA was confirmed in 87.3% of the patients. Almost 80% of women who acknowledged being sexually active (n = 717) presented pain during intercourse. As compared with patients without confirmed VVA (n = 66), patients with confirmed VVA (n = 1,028) were significantly older ( P < .0001), had lower rates of sexual activity ( P < .05), and used more VVA treatments ( P < .05). Severe vaginal atrophy and severe vulvar atrophy were more prevalent in VVA-confirmed women ( P < .0001, in both cases). No differences regarding the confirmation of VVA were observed for EuroQoL and Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging quality-of-life questionnaires. Sexual function measured through the Female Sexual Function Index score was significantly reduced in sexually-active patients with confirmed VVA ( P < .05). Conclusion VVA signs and symptoms are highly prevalent in Spanish postmenopausal women. Confirmation of VVA diagnosis was associated with impaired sexual function. The early recognition of VVA symptoms should be actively promoted in medical practice, instead of waiting until signs appear to exclude other reasons for VVA and to manage treatment effectively. Palacios S, González SP, Fernández-Abellán M, et al. Impact of Vulvovaginal Atrophy of Menopause in Spanish Women: Prevalence and Symptoms According to the EVES Study. Sex Med 2019;7:207–216.

ObjectiveTo study knowledge regarding genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and the treatments for it and to analyze treatment adherence during the COVID-19 confinement.MethodsMulti-center observational study including women between 35 and 75 years. An extension study of treatment adherence was conducted during the coronavirus pandemic between March and April 2020ResultsA sample of 2355 women were included. Vaginal dryness was the most frequently identified symptom (74.3%). Lubricants were the best-known treatments (69.6%), followed by local estrogens (25.7%); 66% of the women did not speak to their gynecologist about sexuality. Comparative analyses were conducted according to age, menopausal status, type of menopause, place of residence, type of health care received and level of education. During the coronavirus confinement period, adherence to treatments for vulvovaginal atrophy was poor in 72.5% asked (n=204). Reduced sexual activity (p>0.001) and coronavirus diagnosis (p=0.003) were significantly associated with poorer treatment compliance. ConclusionsThere is great lack of knowledge of the treatments used for GSM. Most women do not talk to their gynecologist about sexuality. Adherence to treatments during the coronavirus confinement has been worryingly low.

No abstract

Objective To study knowledge regarding genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and the treatments for it and to analyze treatment adherence during the COVID-19 confinement. Methods Multi-center observational study including women between 35 and 75 years. An extension study of treatment adherence was conducted during the coronavirus pandemic between March and April 2020. Results A sample of 2355 women were included. Vaginal dryness was the most frequently identified symptom (74.3%). Lubricants were the best-known treatments (69.6%), followed by local estrogens (25.7%); 66% of the women did not speak to their gynecologist about sexuality. Comparative analyses were conducted according to age, menopausal status, type of menopause, place of residence, type of health care received and level of education. During the coronavirus confinement period, adherence to treatments for vulvovaginal atrophy was poor in 72.5% asked (n = 204). Reduced sexual activity (p > 0.001) and coronavirus diagnosis (p = 0.003) were significantly associated with poorer treatment compliance. Conclusions There is great lack of knowledge of the treatments used for GSM. Most women do not talk to their gynecologist about sexuality. Adherence to treatments during the coronavirus confinement has been worryingly low.