Objectives To describe the attitudes and perceptions of postmenopausal women from the United Kingdom regarding menopause, vulvo-vaginal atrophy and its therapeutic management. Study design Post hoc analysis of the United… Click to show full abstract
Objectives To describe the attitudes and perceptions of postmenopausal women from the United Kingdom regarding menopause, vulvo-vaginal atrophy and its therapeutic management. Study design Post hoc analysis of the United Kingdom population from the REVIVE-EU Study. Main outcome measures The survey contained questions about women’s knowledge of menopause and vulvo-vaginal atrophy symptoms, impact on their life and sexual activities, communication with healthcare professionals and treatments. Results The most frequent symptom of menopause was hot flushes (75%). Vulvo-vaginal atrophy symptoms had a significant impact on participants’ ability to enjoy sexual intercourse (66%), spontaneity (62%) and ability to be intimate (61%); however, only 68% of women had been to their healthcare professional for advice. Half of the sample expected that doctors would initiate a discussion of menopausal symptoms and sexual health, but was in fact rare (5%). Only 27% were under current treatment without a clear therapy pattern, of which 43% used vaginal over-the-counter treatments, 28% prescription (Rx), and 13% both. Efficacy was the main limitation for over-the-counter treatments, while for Rx products were side effects and safety. Women highlighted the restoring of the natural condition of the vagina as the main goal for a treatment (35%). Many United Kingdom women did not feel the need to see any healthcare professional for their gynaecological symptoms. Overall satisfaction with treatment was only 44%. Conclusions Vulvo-vaginal atrophy remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in United Kingdom. There is a lack of coherent discussion about vulvo-vaginal atrophy symptoms with clinicians. Many United Kingdom healthcare professionals could improve proactive communication with patients about vulvo-vaginal atrophy.
               
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