GLAM_BlueVerdanaIt seems like menopause—and some of the complaints associated with it, like hot flashes and irritability—has “come out of the closet.” Most women find the subject easy to discuss with others, even on highly public forums like Facebook and Twitter.

Throngs of web sites and books are devoted to the topic, making it even easier for women to feel comfortable discussing and dealing with it. And in recent years, women have not been shy or hesitant about discussing their symptoms with health care providers.

But . . .

. . . there is one symptom of menopause—one of the most common complaints, in fact (it happens to 3 out of 4 women)—that women just don’t want to talk about. And apparently, nor do their doctors.

                                           It’s vaginal dryness.

When I turned 50 and started to find sex with my husband a bit more uncomfortable and lot less pleasurable because of the dryness . . . I started to avoid it. And, like most women, I was hesitant to bring it up with my health care provider. Luckily, he brought it up, proposing a few options. Together we decided on a course of treatment that fixed my problem.

I was fortunate to have a health care provider who asked me if I was experiencing vaginal discomfort or dryness, but other women are not so lucky. A study has shown that as many as 70% of women say their health care providers rarely or never ask about problems like vaginal dryness.

To help women speak up and get help, I’ve joined a few other women to create GLAM™ (Great Life After Menopause), sponsored by Novo Nordisk. Our goal is to make sure women know that these symptoms are common and treatable.

After 50 is definitely NOT a time to put your head in the sand about this natural and normal change. No one should have to suffer . . . especially when it’s something that can be treated, like vaginal dryness and the other vaginal symptoms associated with menopause. Life after 50 should be filled with joy, fun and great sex . . . not discomfort or pain.

“3 OUT OF 4 WOMEN WHO’VE GONE THROUGH MENOPAUSE (THAT’S A WHOPPING 75 PERCENT!)  EXPERIENCE SOME SORT OF VAGINAL DRYNESS”

Please visit www.vaginaldiscomfort.com for all the information you need about what it is, how to know if you have it, and most important, how to talk about it with your doctor.

For more information about GLAM™ and the fabulous women who have joined me in this important initiative, visit www.greatlifeaftermenopause.com.

And remember this: we can’t control getting older . . . but . . . we can control how we do it!

S38A2606 (1)I am a member of GLAM™ (Great Life After Menopause), a women’s health initiative sponsored by Novo Nordisk.

One comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *