Affiliations 

  • 1 a A Clinic For Women, Mt Alvernia Hospital , Singapore , Singapore
  • 2 b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine , Chulalongkorn University , Bangkok , Thailand
  • 3 c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital , Chiayi County , Taiwan
  • 4 e Obstetrics and Gynecology , Pantai Hospital Cheras , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia
  • 5 f Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital , Jakarta , Indonesia
  • 6 g Shionogi Inc. , Florham Park , NJ , USA
  • 7 h Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Chang Gung University and Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital , Kaohsiung , Taiwan
Climacteric, 2017 Aug;20(4):367-373.
PMID: 28453308 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2017.1315091

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The Pan-Asian REVIVE survey aimed to examine women's experiences with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and their interactions with health-care professionals (HCPs).

METHODS: Self-completed surveys were administered face-to-face to 5992 women (aged 45-75 years) in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.

RESULTS: Of 638 postmenopausal women with GSM symptoms, only 35% were aware of the GSM condition, most of whom first heard of GSM through their physician (32%). The most common symptoms were vaginal dryness (57%) and irritation (43%). GSM had the greatest impact on sexual enjoyment (65%) and intimacy (61%). Only 25% had discussed their GSM symptoms with a HCP, and such discussions were mostly patient-initiated (64%) rather than HCP-initiated (24%). Only 21% had been clinically diagnosed with GSM and only 24% had ever used treatment for their symptoms. Three-quarters of those who had used treatment for GSM had discussed their symptoms with a HCP compared to only 9% of those who were treatment-naïve.

CONCLUSION: GSM is underdiagnosed and undertreated in Asia. As discussion of GSM with HCPs appears to be a factor influencing women's awareness and treatment status, a more active role by HCPs to facilitate early discussions on GSM and its treatment options is needed.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.