EXPERT ASK THE HEALTH

Everyone is encouraged to go to the doctor with questions in order to come away fully knowledgeable about what’s wrong. Healthy Living has brought together a number of experts to answer questions about various health issues. Find your answers here from the dedicated health professional in our area.

UROGYNECOLOGY/ GYNECOLOGY

DR. UZOMA NWAUBANI

Qwhat Is Genitourinary Syndrome Of Menopause

Women’s leakage problems and vaginal prolapse problems are related to menopause, and classed as the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), a new term to describe the umbrella of genital, sexual, and urinary symptoms that often results from the decrease in estrogen levels in menopause, says Dr. Uzona Nwaubani, a urogynecologist at the Female Continence and Pelvic Surgery Center in The Villages.

With moderate to severe genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a woman may experience genital symptoms of dryness, burning, and irritation; sexual symptoms of lack of lubrication, discomfort or pain, and impaired function; and urinary symptoms of urgency, urinary incontinence, and recurring urinary tract infections.

The decline in estrogen levels in menopause can affect a woman’s pelvic area, especially the ligaments, organs, nerves, muscles and blood vessels.

“They lose their elasticity and their strength because they were previously maintained by high levels of estrogen in the menstrual years. With time, they become relaxed,” she says, adding the relaxation can result in a downward fall or drop of the organs through the opening of the vagina, which could include a dropped bladder, dropped uterus, dropped rectum or even the intestines dropped—all part of the pelvic relaxation known as a prolapse.

Women who have given birth have a greater likelihood of developing prolapses. The progressive loss of vaginal support usually begins with the first pregnancy, culminating with menopausal estrogen deprivation as the underlying cause.

“Generally, you don’t see the problem caused by childbirth, but from the lack of estrogen when everything begins to go downward, south. It’s typically after menopause when the relaxation problems tend to show up a lot,” she says.

“Generally, by age 50 years, about 50 percent of patients might have symptoms of a prolapse, and at 70 years, 70 percent of patients will have a prolapse of some sort.”

Urinary problems, especially urinary incontinence also goes hand-in-hand with the pelvic relaxation, also brought on by menopause and the lack of estrogen weakening the bladder. The lining of the bladder also is known to become thin during this time.

She says some women experience vaginal dryness, which can result in painful intercourse, and there can be other symptoms of vaginal burning, itching, and a discoloration of blackness or redness around the vulva.

Many of the symptoms may be noticed by the patient or by

There are a variety of therapies available for patients, including non-hormonal treatments.

“The novel Vaginal and vulval laser therapy becomes a good non-hormonal treatment option for these patients,” she says, “and it helps get them back into sexual activity, if that has been

At the Female Continence and Pelvic Surgery Center, Dr. Nwaubani provides urogynecology services of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery for the following:

• Incontinence Treatment

• Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) Treatment

• Hysterectomies

• Cosmetic Vaginal and Vulval Reconstructive Surgery

• Other problems associated with Urogynecology

• In-office Procedure

• Wrinkle reduction

• Sculpture

• Weight Management from practicing across three continents in the last 18 years. the doctor when performing a pelvic exam or pap smear. a problem because of pain from vaginal dryness.”

Many women are too embarrassed to talk about genital, sexual, or urinary problems they may be experiencing, yet Dr. Nwaubani believes it’s vital for women to share problems they may be having since menopause. Since she is a well-credentialed and experienced urogynecologist, she encourages women to take care of the very core of their femininity.

“It’s not just paramount to your health, it is an act of love,” she noted on her website.

“These symptoms are all treatable,” says Dr. Nwaubani, who notes because of the lack of estrogen, a topical estrogen can be applied on the affected areas, including the lining of the vagina.

Many of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause symptoms can begin in the premenopausal years and heighten in post menopause, all attributed to declining estrogen.

She notes her philosophy is to treat her patients the way she would want her mother or sister to be treated. She is passionate about her work and has accumulated immense knowledge and techniques

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call Female Continence & Pelvic Surgery Center at 352.633.0703 or stop by the office at 1050 Old Camp Road, Suite 206, The Villages. www.fecapsc.com

GREGORY J. PANZO DR. JEFFREY D. BAUMANN