Gynecologist and Menopausal Patient Perspectives on Vaginal Hormone Therapy for the Management of the Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in Canada: A Real-World Survey

Purpose

The genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is common during menopause and can have a profound negative impact on quality of life. Vaginal hormone therapy (HT) is a guideline-recommended second-line treatment for GSM but its real-world utilization in Canada is poorly described in the literature. The objectives of this real-world study were to examine current patterns of practice and potential gaps in the management of GSM in Canada and to evaluate factors affecting patient satisfaction with vaginal hormone therapy for GSM. Patients and methods: Real-world study that surveyed 13 Canadian gynecologists and 119 patients diagnosed with GSM who were eligible for vaginal HT but had not been prescribed this treatment (naïve cohort) or were currently being treated with vaginal HT (on-treatment cohort). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.