Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Systematic Review

https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/genitourinary-syndrome/research The American Urological Association has unveiled a new clinical practice guideline for managing genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a condition affecting numerous postmenopausal women. This comprehensive guide was informed by an AHRQ systematic review funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and offers evidence-based recommendations to improve patient care. At the heart of this new guideline is an emphasis on shared decision making between clinicians and patients. It advocates for screening at-risk individuals through focused history taking and recommends local low-dose vaginal estrogen as a primary treatment option. The guideline also endorses alternative treatments such as vaginal DHEA, ospemifene, vaginal moisturizers, and lubricants, while cautioning against the use of energy-based therapies. Importantly, the guideline addresses safety concerns, clarifying that local low-dose vaginal estrogen is not associated with increased endometrial cancer risk. It also offers valuable advice on managing genitourinary syndrome of menopause in breast cancer survivors, which highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches. For more, read the abstract of the guideline in The Journal of Urology.