Menopausal women fail to consult GPs about painful intercourse

Menopausal women are more likely to suffer in silence over painful intercourse, than consult their GP.

These are the findings that have emerged from an online survey of over 1000 women carried out by www.menopausematters.co.uk and recently published in Menopause International.

The results showed that although 88% of respondents thought that continuing an active sex life was important, 53% had experienced dyspareunia of which only a small percentage (12%) had received treatment. Some 61% hid their symptoms from their partner and 42% made excuses to avoid having intercourse because of the discomfort with 60% feeling that the symptom had adversely affected their confidence.

Most significantly, the survey also revealed, that while the menopausal problems of vaginal dryness and painful intercourse were common, few sufferers were asking health professionals for advice, even though very effective treatments are available.

Speaking to OnMedica, Dr Heather Currie, managing director of Menopause Matters Ltd and a gynaecologist in Dumfries, said it was unclear whether women were suffering in silence because they were too embarrassed to ask for help, or whether they were unaware that treatments are available. And she said GPs had a role to play in alleviating the problem.

"What is clear is that health professionals should ask women specifically about the common menopausal problem of painful sex both when discussing menopause issues and when older women are attending for
smears," she said.

"Often women are happy to talk about the menopausal situation with their doctor, mentioning flushes and sweats but they are less keen to discuss the vaginal symptoms. However, if we ask questions then they are generally happy to answer. It's important for doctors to ask this as the symptoms are very common and there are effective treatments available."
source:www.onmedica.net