Maintain pressure on reforms to protect NHSPost-menopausal women reluctant to seek help for vaginal dryness
Many post-menopausal women are reluctant to seek medical help about vaginal dryness and pain, according to a survey.
Results of the online survey of 4,246 women in Canada, Finland, Sweden, the US and the UK show that more than a third (39%) of post-menopausal women experience these symptoms.
Of these, 40% said it interferes with their sex life but seven out of ten would not discuss the problem with their doctor.
Only 30% would consider talking to a gynaecologist and only 29% would consider talking to a GP.
The survey was commissioned by Novo Nordisk and was presented at the European Congress on Menopause in London this week.
Dr Rossella Nappi, director of the Gynecological Endocrinology & Menopause Unit at the Maugeri Foundation, University of Pavia, Italy, said: ‘The results of this survey really highlight my experiences of treating menopausal women and in my practice in Italy it is even worse.
‘I see many women who have vaginal dryness and pain post-menopause, and the most alarming aspect is that they wait for so long, with only 17 percent of surveyed women taking a treatment to counteract these symptoms.’
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Readers' comments (1)
Anonymous | 30-May-2009 6:43 pm
I can well believe this survey. As a post menopausal women i would find it very hard to discuss this not only with my doctor but also with my friends.
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