Pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: why, how and when?

Abstract

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is caused by chronic deprivation of estrogen and other sex steroids during the postmenopausal period, which leads to changes in the vulvovaginal tissues. These changes cause bothersome symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, pruritus, dyspareunia, increased daytime urinary frequency, urgency and urinary incontinence, which have considerable negative effects on women’s quality of life and sexual function. Recent studies have investigated a novel treatment approach for GSM. Pelvic floor muscle (PFM) rehabilitation, a low-cost conservative management with no side-effects, has been studied alone or in combination with other treatment modalities to reduce the signs and symptoms of GSM. The aim of this article is to discuss why PFM rehabilitation could be useful for women with GSM, how it may help improve signs and symptoms of GSM and when this treatment should be recommended.

摘要

绝经期泌尿生殖系统综合征（Genitourinary syndrome of menopause, GSM）是由于绝经后长期缺乏雌激素和其他性类固醇, 导致外阴阴道组织的变化。这些变化引起令人烦恼的症状, 如阴道干燥、瘙痒、性交困难、尿频、尿急和尿失禁增加, 这些对妇女的生活质量和性功能具有相当大的负面影响。最近的研究已经调查了一种新的GSM治疗方法。盆底肌（PFM）康复是一种低成本的保守治疗, 无副作用, 已被单独研究或与其他治疗方式联合研究, 以减少GSM的体征和症状。本文的目的是讨论为什么PFM康复对于GSM女性可能是有用的, 它可能有助于改善GSM的体征和症状, 什么时候应该推荐这种治疗。

Keywords:

• Genitourinary syndrome of menopause
• physiotherapy
• pelvic floor muscle training
• quality of life
• sexual function

Potential conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Source of funding

Nil.