The yin and yang of GSM and low sexual desire

Numerous surveys have documented that sexuality and/or sexual activity is important to women at all stages of adulthood, including postmenopause. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) are common disorders in postmenopausal women and may co-occur. Both are often undiagnosed due to a lack of knowledge of the disorder, health-care professional discomfort in discussing sexual problems or a lack of routine screening. It is incumbent upon health-care professionals to identify and differentiate these conditions in women through a biopsychosocial assessment, and may require a focused physical examination. Numerous treatments, both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic, are available to address GSM and HSDD.

Automated summary

Numerous surveys have indicated that sexuality and/or sexual activity is important to women at all stages of adulthood, including postmenopause. Postmenopausal women commonly experience genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD), both of which may be undiagnosed due to various reasons. Health-care professionals have a responsibility to identify and differentiate these conditions through a comprehensive assessment and may need to perform a focused physical examination. There are numerous treatment options, both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic, available for GSM and HSDD.