In the News: HUGE Breakthrough for the Treatment of Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)
- Arise Physical Therapy and Wellness
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
Updated: May 5
Big news just dropped this past Monday…and it’s a game-changer for midlife women everywhere.
The American Urological Association, along with top women's health organizations, just released the first-ever comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM)...the umbrella term for the not-so-fun changes like vaginal dryness, painful sex, urinary urgency, frequent UTIs, and pelvic discomfort that many women experience as hormones decline.
Here’s the scoop:
GSM is extremely common (affecting up to 80% of postmenopausal women) yet it’s been historically overlooked, underdiagnosed and undertreated.
These new guidelines finally validate what millions of women have been saying for years: This is real. This is common. And there are safe, effective treatments.
This isn’t just for gynecologists: these guidelines were created for ALL healthcare providers…General Practitioners, OB/GYNs, Urologists, Endocrinologists and Pelvic health specialists. That means your entire medical team now has a shared standard of care in clinical practice for how to recognize, diagnose, and properly treat GSM.
Why this matters to YOU:
Better care- No more suffering in silence or being brushed off or ignored.
Treatment options- Whether you want hormonal treatment (like vaginal estrogen or DHEA), non-hormonal support (like moisturizers and lubricants), or help from pelvic floor specialists, you've got choices.
No fear tactics- If you’re worried about cancer risks, good news: low-dose vaginal hormones are safe and do NOT raise your risk of breast or uterine cancer.
Energy-based therapies (like lasers)- the evidence doesn’t support them, so you can skip the hype and make informed decisions.
Bottom line:
This new guideline marks a turning point in menopause care, sexual health, and quality of life for midlife women. It’s a huge step toward normalizing menopause conversations, empowering women with real solutions, and giving the entire medical field the tools to actually help us.
If you’re dealing with GSM symptoms — dryness, discomfort, pain with sex, pee leaks, or repeat infections — you are NOT alone, and you don’t have to suffer anymore.
Read the full guideline:
Kaufman MR, Ackerman LA, Amin KA, et al. The AUA/SUFU/AUGS Guideline on Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause. J Urol. 0(0). doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000004589.
Do you have any Genitourinary symptoms in Peri/Menopause?
0%Vaginal Dryness
0%Painful Sex
0%Frequent UTIs
0%Other
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