S3 Ep155: Genital Dryness and Misbehaving Bladders

Men have always had the clear advantage of being able to inspect their genitals with very little effort on their part. Women’s genitals are not quite as accessible, resulting in a lot more uncertainty about what’s normal and what’s not. No wonder women are frequently blindsided by not only the physical changes that occur with the onset of menopause but also symptoms like dryness, painful sex, itching, recurrent urinary tract infections, and that constant “gotta go” feeling!  Why the term VAGINAL ATROPHY is problematic GENITOURINARY SYNDROME OF MENOPAUSE- What it is and what it means The PHYSICAL CHANGES that result from a lack of estrogen The genital and urinary SYMPTOMS that women experience because of LACK of ESTROGEN Options to Treat GSM Lubricants  Long-Lasting Moisturizers  Local Vaginal Estrogen  DHEA  Ospemifen                                         Dr. Streicher is now on Substack!                A transcript of this episode with related videos, podcasts, and graphics can                                     be found on  Dr. Streicher’s FREE Substack                                   https://substack.com/@DrStreicher                                                   Replens™ Brand                 Thank you to Replens™ Brand for Sponsoring This Episode                                         Follow Replens on Instagram                             For more information on Replens ProductsRelated Episodes:Episode 4: Is Your Lubricant Helping or Hurting Your Vagina?Episode 5: Vaginal Estrogen- Rings, Creams, and Other Things Episode 27:  Using Vaginal Estrogen but Sex Still Hurts Like Hell Episode 44 A Deep Dive into RECURRENT UTIEpisode 63 DHEA-An Estrogen Alternative for Vaginal Dryness Episode 74 Ospemifene- A Pill a Day to Keep Dryness Away                  Sign up to receive DR. STREICHER’S FREE NEWSLETTER Books by Lauren Streicher, MD  Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist’s guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy                                      To Find a Menopause ClinicianMidi Health   www.Joinmidi.comMidi Health is a telehealth company that provides high-level menopause care and takes insurance in all 50 states. Dr. Streicher is Midi’s Medical Director of Education and Community Outreach and is familiar with their medical protocols, which are all regularly updated and set by the top academic menopause experts in the country. The Menopause Society- Certified Menopause Practitioner List Menopause.org To find a menopause practitioner: https://portal.menopause.org/NAMS/NAMS/Directory/Menopause-Practitioner.aspx Put in your zip code and designate NCMP or CMSP to get a certified menopause practitioner.  While all people on this list have passed a competency examination, Dr. Streicher does not vouch for every one of these clinicians. Most are excellent.  Major Medical CentersIt also may be helpful to check with major medical centers in your area. Many have menopause clinics or lists of doctors who have an interest and expertise in menopause. If you are in the Chicago area, the center founded by Dr. Streicher: The Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause Sexmedmenopause.nm.org  Dr. Streicher’s Inside Information podcast is not intended to replace medical advice and should be used to supplement, not replace, care by your personal healthcare clinician. Dr. Streicher disclaims liability for any medical outcomes that may occur because of applying methods suggested or discussed in this podcast.