Sponsored - Carla had always been the kind of woman who faced life head-on, no matter what it threw at her. But lately, there was something she wasn't quite sure how to handle. It started with a little dryness -- down there. Not something she'd ever experienced before. Then came the itching, and to top it all off, there was a new kind of discomfort when she went to the bathroom. She was puzzled. "Is this just another weird side effect of getting older?" she wondered.
Carla chalked it up to stress at first. Maybe she wasn't drinking enough water, or the laundry detergent had changed. But when the vaginal dryness didn't improve and, in fact, started interfering with her sex life, she knew it was time to investigate further.
Little did she know, she was experiencing something that would eventually affect up to 50% of women: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM). But who'd ever heard of that?
The mystery unfolds
Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause sounds complicated -- and to be honest, it kind of is -- but here's the simple version: GSM refers to the constellation of symptoms women can experience as their estrogen levels start to decline. As much as we talk about hot flashes and night sweats, GSM is often left in the shadows, even though it's incredibly common.
As Carla's estrogen levels plummeted, the tissues in her vagina and urinary tract started to thin out. What was once a happy, well-lubricated environment was now more like the Sahara Desert (her words, not mine). Without estrogen's protective effects, the skin becomes more fragile, which leads to dryness, irritation, and a not-so-lovely burning sensation during intimacy or urination. As if that wasn't enough, bladder issues often tag along for the ride, meaning Carla was also dealing with urinary frequency and urgency.
Carla wasn't alone, though it sure felt that way at times. Like many women, she didn't realize that her symptoms were related to menopause. No one really tells you that your vagina can experience menopause too, do they?
Why now?
For Carla, GSM started creeping in during her late 40s, but it can hit at any point once estrogen levels start to drop, usually in perimenopause and beyond. The vaginal tissues are sensitive to hormonal changes, and as estrogen production decreases, these tissues become thinner, drier, and less elastic. Without enough estrogen, your body produces less natural lubrication, making intimacy uncomfortable and sometimes even painful.
But it wasn't just about the bedroom. Carla found herself dreading trips to the bathroom, as urination became more frequent and uncomfortable. The lining of the urinary tract is also affected by the loss of estrogen, which can lead to burning and irritation, as well as more frequent trips to the restroom. Not fun.
Carla's lightbulb moment
After an especially awkward dinner with her husband, Carla decided to book an appointment with her hormone health provider. "I feel like everything's drying up!" she joked, trying to laugh off the discomfort. But her provider took it seriously and explained that what Carla was dealing with wasn't unusual -- it was GSM, and there were options to help her feel more like herself again.
Carla was relieved to know she didn't have to simply "live with it." She was even more relieved when she learned that these treatments could also improve urinary symptoms, giving her back the control she felt she'd lost.
Carla's advice to fellow women in the trenches
Looking back, Carla wishes she'd spoken up sooner. "I had no idea this was so common," she tells her friends over coffee. "But I'm glad I saw my provider. There's help out there -- you don't have to suffer in silence."
Her advice to other women? "Don't be embarrassed. Your body's changing, and that's okay. Just know that there are ways to manage it, and life doesn't have to feel like a constant desert down there!"
And with that, Carla was back to feeling comfortable in her own skin, armed with knowledge and solutions to tackle GSM head-on. If you're in the same boat as Carla, don't wait to seek help. Your hormone health provider is there to guide you through the transition and help you feel like yourself again. Reach out to Solutions Functional Medicine at 859-251-6220 where our certified hormone care providers can help you discover the science and solutions that lead to a healthier tomorrow.