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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYour primary care provider may refer you to a specialist (gynecologist) to evaluate your condition.
Questions your doctor may ask
Your doctor will ask questions about the symptoms you're experiencing and assess your hormonal status. Questions your doctor may ask include:
- What vaginal symptoms are you experiencing?
- How long have you experienced these symptoms?
- Do you continue to have menstrual periods?
- How much distress do your symptoms cause you?
- Are you sexually active?
- Does the condition limit your sexual activity?
- Have you been treated for cancer?
- Do you use scented soap or bubble bath?
- Do you douche or use feminine hygiene spray?
- What medications or vitamin supplements do you take?
- Have you tried any over-the-counter moisturizers or lubricants?
References
- Bachmann G, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of vaginal atrophy. http://www.uptodate.com/patients/index.html. Accessed Aug. 6, 2010.
- The North American Menopause Society. The role of local vaginal estrogen for treatment of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women: 2007 position statement of The North American Menopause Society. 2007;14:357.
- MacBride MB, et al. Vulvovaginal atrophy. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2010;85:87.
- Palacios S. Managing urogenital atrophy. Maturitas. 2009;63:315.
- Suckling JA, et al. Local oestrogen for vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006:CD001500.
- Archer DF. Efficacy and tolerability of local estrogen therapy for urogenital atrophy. Menopause. 2010;17:194.
- Reed SD, et al. Vaginal, endometrial, and reproductive hormone findings: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of black cohosh, multibotanical herbs and dietary soy for vasomotor symptoms: The Herbal Alternatives for Menopause (HALT) study. Menopause. 2008;15:51.
- Mehta A, et al. Vulvovaginal complaints. Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2008;51:549.
- Labrie F, et al. Intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (Prasterone), a physiological and highly efficient treatment of vaginal atrophy. Menopause. 2009;16:907.
- Panjari M, et al. DHEA for postmenopausal women: A review of the evidence. Maturitas. 2010;66:172.
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