lOMoARcPSD|8783322
Menopausal and sexuality issues
Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family Practicum (Chamberlain University)
NR 601 2020/2021
, lOMoARcPSD|8783322
Review the required NAMS videos. What was the most surprising statement or topic that
you heard in the videos? Explain why this was surprising to you.
I think the most surprising topic I heard from the North American Menopausal Society was that
bias of the physician as it relates to the women sexuality health experience. If the patient does
not talk about their sexuality, then the provider does not talk about it causing a delay in the
available treatment. Every 3-5 years women are to visit their doctor to have a pap smear so it
very surprising to me that most facilities either don’t have annually or biannually screening for
menopausal signs and symptoms. Just as the pap smear is a diagnostic tool to detected different
problems, the menopausal women should have more screening completed. As I explored more on
this topic, I learned that there are more tools such as the decrease sexual desire screener that is
used in office while the patient is in the waiting room. This tool allows the women to address her
issues without feeling embarrassed to talk about it. The decrease sexual desire is a screening tool
that ask 5 questions about the women’s the women’s sexual desires and interest. Upon research
Hoffman, Schorge, Halvorson, Hamid, Carton, & Schaffer (2020) states “are you bothered by
your decrease level of sexual desire or interest”. This will give the women an outlet of help and
understanding allowing them to discuss things that may be frown upon or looked down on. If the
patient responds yes to the question it then allows the provider to ask more question about factors
that may contribute to the unpleasant feeling such as alcohol, drugs and medications.
What is GSM? What body systems are involved? How does GSM affect a woman's quality
of life?
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a health diagnosis that the pre-menopausal and
post-menopausal woman can experience. Upon research “High concentrations of estrogen
receptors in the vaginal mucosa, vulva, bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor.” The vagina mucosa
becomes thin, causing vaginal drying and dyspnea. The increase amount of estrogen cause
symptom that are worrisome for the pre/post-menopausal woman which can include genital
dryness, dysuria, urinary urgency, and recurrent urinary tract infection. If the symptoms are not
address in a timely manner the woman may experience urethral prolapse or fissured tissue.
The patient’s quality of life is affected due to vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse, and
chronic infection Upon research Upon research Hoffman, Schorge, Halvorson, Hamid, Carton, &
Schaffer (2020) states negative effects on sexual function, partner relationships, and quality of
life”. The women’s emotional wellbeing, body image and self-perception.
Review one aspect of treatment that Dr Shapiro recommends for GSM and include an EBP
journal article or guideline recommendation in addition to referencing the video in your
response.
Dr. Shaprio spoke about a non-hormonal therapy which is known as pelvic physical therapy. The
therapy allows the patient to focus on exercising and strengthening the pelvic muscle to help a
woman with GSM. Upon research Faubion, Sood, Kapoor (2017) states “Pelvic floor physical
therapy may be indicated for some women with concomitant pelvic floor muscle dysfunction”.
This specialized physical therapy focuses on pelvic floor, hips, back, and abdominal wall
Menopausal and sexuality issues
Primary Care of the Maturing and Aged Family Practicum (Chamberlain University)
NR 601 2020/2021
, lOMoARcPSD|8783322
Review the required NAMS videos. What was the most surprising statement or topic that
you heard in the videos? Explain why this was surprising to you.
I think the most surprising topic I heard from the North American Menopausal Society was that
bias of the physician as it relates to the women sexuality health experience. If the patient does
not talk about their sexuality, then the provider does not talk about it causing a delay in the
available treatment. Every 3-5 years women are to visit their doctor to have a pap smear so it
very surprising to me that most facilities either don’t have annually or biannually screening for
menopausal signs and symptoms. Just as the pap smear is a diagnostic tool to detected different
problems, the menopausal women should have more screening completed. As I explored more on
this topic, I learned that there are more tools such as the decrease sexual desire screener that is
used in office while the patient is in the waiting room. This tool allows the women to address her
issues without feeling embarrassed to talk about it. The decrease sexual desire is a screening tool
that ask 5 questions about the women’s the women’s sexual desires and interest. Upon research
Hoffman, Schorge, Halvorson, Hamid, Carton, & Schaffer (2020) states “are you bothered by
your decrease level of sexual desire or interest”. This will give the women an outlet of help and
understanding allowing them to discuss things that may be frown upon or looked down on. If the
patient responds yes to the question it then allows the provider to ask more question about factors
that may contribute to the unpleasant feeling such as alcohol, drugs and medications.
What is GSM? What body systems are involved? How does GSM affect a woman's quality
of life?
Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a health diagnosis that the pre-menopausal and
post-menopausal woman can experience. Upon research “High concentrations of estrogen
receptors in the vaginal mucosa, vulva, bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor.” The vagina mucosa
becomes thin, causing vaginal drying and dyspnea. The increase amount of estrogen cause
symptom that are worrisome for the pre/post-menopausal woman which can include genital
dryness, dysuria, urinary urgency, and recurrent urinary tract infection. If the symptoms are not
address in a timely manner the woman may experience urethral prolapse or fissured tissue.
The patient’s quality of life is affected due to vaginal dryness and painful sexual intercourse, and
chronic infection Upon research Upon research Hoffman, Schorge, Halvorson, Hamid, Carton, &
Schaffer (2020) states negative effects on sexual function, partner relationships, and quality of
life”. The women’s emotional wellbeing, body image and self-perception.
Review one aspect of treatment that Dr Shapiro recommends for GSM and include an EBP
journal article or guideline recommendation in addition to referencing the video in your
response.
Dr. Shaprio spoke about a non-hormonal therapy which is known as pelvic physical therapy. The
therapy allows the patient to focus on exercising and strengthening the pelvic muscle to help a
woman with GSM. Upon research Faubion, Sood, Kapoor (2017) states “Pelvic floor physical
therapy may be indicated for some women with concomitant pelvic floor muscle dysfunction”.
This specialized physical therapy focuses on pelvic floor, hips, back, and abdominal wall
