R E Nappi1, N R de Melo2, M Martino3, C Celis-González4, P Villaseca5, S Röhrich6, S Palacios7. 1. a Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Gynecological Endocrinology and Menopause, IRCCS San Matteo Foundation, Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences , University of Pavia , Pavia , Italy. 2. b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , São Paulo University Medical School , São Paulo , Brazil. 3. c Asociacion de Obstetricia y Ginecologia de Rosario (ASOGIR) , Rosario , Argentina. 4. d Hospital de Ginecología y Obstetricia No.4 "Luis Castelazo Ayala", Mexican Institute of Social Security , Mexico City , Mexico. 5. e Department of Endocrinology , Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile , Santiago , Chile. 6. f Novo Nordisk Health Care AG , Zurich , Switzerland. 7. g Palacios Institute of Women's Health , Madrid , Spain.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate awareness in Latin America, knowledge of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy was evaluated in a sample of women from this region. METHODS: A total of 2509 postmenopausal women aged 55-65 years, resident in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico, completed a structured online questionnaire. RESULTS: Over half the surveyed population (57%) reported experiencing symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Only 6% of the overall cohort attributed symptoms of vaginal atrophy directly to the condition, and 71% did not consider the condition to be chronic, resulting in many women not accessing effective therapy. Half the women (49%) affected by vaginal atrophy had used lubricating gels and creams; 36% had used some form of local hormone treatment. To understand symptoms and/or treatment options for vaginal discomfort, the majority of survey participants (92%) were willing to seek advice from health-care professionals; most (61%) felt/would feel comfortable talking to their doctor about this. CONCLUSION: Many women in Latin America lack knowledge of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy, not appreciating the chronic nature of the condition, and may benefit from dialog initiated by health-care professionals to facilitate greater understanding and increased awareness of the availability of effective treatment.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate awareness in Latin America, knowledge of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy was evaluated in a sample of women from this region. METHODS: A total of 2509 postmenopausal women aged 55-65 years, resident in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Mexico, completed a structured online questionnaire. RESULTS: Over half the surveyed population (57%) reported experiencing symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Only 6% of the overall cohort attributed symptoms of vaginal atrophy directly to the condition, and 71% did not consider the condition to be chronic, resulting in many women not accessing effective therapy. Half the women (49%) affected by vaginal atrophy had used lubricating gels and creams; 36% had used some form of local hormone treatment. To understand symptoms and/or treatment options for vaginal discomfort, the majority of survey participants (92%) were willing to seek advice from health-care professionals; most (61%) felt/would feel comfortable talking to their doctor about this. CONCLUSION: Many women in Latin America lack knowledge of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy, not appreciating the chronic nature of the condition, and may benefit from dialog initiated by health-care professionals to facilitate greater understanding and increased awareness of the availability of effective treatment.
Entities:
Keywords:
Attitude; Latin American women; genitourinary syndrome of menopause; local estrogen therapy; menopause; survey; vaginal atrophy; vaginal health