Vaginal Dryness
Reduced moisture is one of the most recognized GSM symptoms.
Women’s Wellness • Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
GSMVaginal, Vulvar & Urinary Symptoms of Menopause.
At Surrey Women’s Clinic, we provide private, personalized care for women experiencing the vaginal, vulvar and urinary symptoms associated with genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause—GSM—is a group of vaginal, vulvar and urinary symptoms associated with lower estrogen and other hormonal changes around menopause. It is common, often under-discussed and highly relevant to quality of life.
GSM is broader than vaginal dryness.It can involve vaginal comfort, intimate health and the urinary system at the same time.
Understanding the Concern
What You Should Know
The Menopause Society describes GSM as bothersome vaginal, vulvar and urinary symptoms associated with menopause. Common symptoms include dryness, burning, irritation, painful intercourse, urinary urgency and recurrent urinary tract infections.
Burning & Irritation
Vulvar or vaginal tissue may feel irritated, sensitive or uncomfortable.
Pain During Intimacy
Dryer, thinner and less elastic tissue can contribute to painful penetration.
Urinary Urgency & Frequency
Some women experience a stronger or more frequent need to urinate.
Recurrent UTIs
Postmenopausal changes can contribute to recurrent urinary tract infections in some women.
Bleeding or Fragility
Fragile tissue may be more easily irritated, though bleeding still requires proper evaluation.
Why It Happens
Low Estrogen Affects Both Genital and Urinary Tissues.
Estrogen receptors are present throughout vulvovaginal and lower urinary tissues. With lower estrogen, tissue can become thinner, drier, less elastic and more fragile, while changes in the genitourinary environment can contribute to urinary symptoms.
MenopauseGSM is strongly associated with postmenopausal estrogen decline.
PerimenopauseSymptoms can begin before the final menstrual period.
Other Low-Estrogen StatesCertain treatments or conditions that reduce estrogen can produce similar symptoms.
Symptoms Often PersistUnlike hot flashes, GSM commonly persists or worsens without treatment.
GSM Is a Syndrome, Not One Symptom
Vaginal and Urinary Symptoms Often Travel Together.
The term GSM replaced narrower terms such as vaginal atrophy because the condition affects more than the vagina. It recognizes that vulvar, vaginal, sexual and urinary symptoms can be connected through the same hormonal and tissue changes.
When assessment matters: Bleeding after menopause, persistent urinary pain, blood in the urine, fever or recurrent symptoms should be evaluated rather than assumed to be GSM.
Treatment & Support
Options Depend on the Cause, Not Just the Symptom.
The right plan depends on clinical assessment, health history, severity, goals and treatment suitability. These are possible pathways—not a promise that every option is appropriate for every patient.
Moisturizers & Lubricants
Non-hormonal moisturizers and lubricants can improve dryness and friction-related discomfort for many women.
Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogen
Local estrogen is an established treatment for GSM in appropriate patients and can improve vaginal tissue symptoms.
Hormone Therapy
Systemic therapy may be relevant when GSM occurs alongside bothersome vasomotor or other menopause symptoms.
Learn More →FormaV / EmpowerRF
Surrey Women’s Clinic may discuss technology-based options after assessing the patient’s specific GSM-related concerns and treatment suitability.
Learn More →Your Private Consultation
Start With the Concern. Then Build the Plan.
You do not need to diagnose yourself or select a device before contacting the clinic. The consultation is where symptoms, history and goals are reviewed so the appropriate next step can be determined.
1. Tell Us What You’re Experiencing
Describe the symptoms, timing, triggers, life stage and how the concern affects your day-to-day life.
2. Clinical Assessment
Dr. Maria Bleszynski can determine likely contributing factors and whether further evaluation is needed.
3. Personalized Options
If treatment is appropriate, the clinic can discuss evidence-based and private wellness options suited to your individual situation.
GSM Knowledge Base
Frequently Asked Questions
Detailed answers make the page more useful for patients, search engines and Surrey Women’s Clinic’s future AI knowledge base.
What does GSM stand for?
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Is GSM just vaginal dryness?
No. It can include vulvar and vaginal dryness, burning, irritation, painful sex and urinary symptoms.
Can GSM cause urinary symptoms?
Yes. Urgency, frequency, recurrent urinary tract infections and other urinary concerns can be part of GSM.
Does GSM usually go away on its own?
Unlike some vasomotor symptoms, GSM often persists or progresses without treatment.
Can local vaginal estrogen help?
For appropriate patients, low-dose local estrogen is an established treatment for GSM.
Private Women’s Wellness
Ready to Talk About What You’re Experiencing?
Start with your concern rather than trying to choose the treatment yourself. A private consultation can help determine the cause, the appropriate care pathway and whether FormaV or another option belongs in your plan.
This page provides general educational information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Symptoms can have multiple causes. Treatment suitability varies by individual and is determined after clinical assessment.