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Patient guide
Vaginal Estrogen for GSM: Patient Guide
GSM means genitourinary syndrome of menopause: vaginal and vulvar dryness, pain with sex, and urinary symptoms such as recurrent UTIs after menopause or cancer treatment.
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Free for everyone. There is nothing to buy.
Who this is for
For women with vaginal or vulvar dryness, burning, pain with sex, or urinary symptoms such as recurrent UTIs.
It is written for women at menopause and for women whose breast or gynecologic cancer treatment changed these tissues.
Clinician? Read the clinician version →
Opens the CHOICES newsletter on Substack: Vaginal Estradiol for GSM: Clinician Prescribing Guide.
What this guide says
The short version, taken from the guide itself.
- Dryness, pain with sex and recurrent UTIs can come from low hormone levels in these tissues, and they are treatable.
- It describes four low-dose products that place a tiny amount of natural estradiol where it is needed: a ring, tablets, suppositories and a cream.
- It says studies show these products do not raise blood estrogen levels significantly, and research has not shown more breast cancer recurrence. Women on aromatase inhibitors or ovarian suppression often need them more often.
What it does not say
- It is not a green light to start anything. It says to talk with your provider about which option might be right, and to bring in your oncologist if your provider hesitates.
- It covers vaginal, vulvar and urinary symptoms. It does not cover hot flashes, sleep or mood.
One question to bring to your doctor
“Is the concern about this local, low-dose product specifically, or about systemic hormone therapy?”
A short sample
“This guide is for women living with dryness, burning, pain with intimacy, urinary urgency, or recurrent UTIs after menopause or cancer treatment. It explains what’s happening in your body when hormones decline, walks through the four low-dose vaginal estradiol options that can restore tissue health, and gives you what you need to have a real conversation with your clinician.”
From the free Substack post that introduces the guide.
How to get it
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You’ll go to the CHOICES newsletter on Substack to read and download. This guide is free.
Read and download on Substack →CHOICES is educational only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or a substitute for individualized care from your own clinician. Talk with your own healthcare professionals before making treatment decisions.
CHOICES by Dr. Bosserman™
