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Santoro, Nanette, Neal-Perry, Genevieve (2024). In Goldman-Cecil Medicine (pp. 1628). DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-323-93038-3.00222-7
Therefore long-term treatment may be required to preserve quality of life.For vaginal symptoms or the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vaginal moisturizers (which must be used regularly to achieve effectiveness) and vaginal lubricants, which are specifically helpful during intercourse, can be recommended.-A vaginal hyaluronidase-based gel is as efficacious as 10-µg estradiol tablets twice weekly for relief of the most bothersome symptom.Little attention has been paid to the exact composition of these products, which are available over the counter. Women should be advised to choose products that are pH balanced (i.e., relatively acidic) with a physiologic osmolality.Fortunately, long-term use of local estrogen compounds appears to be safe and well tolerated (Table 222-5). Systemic absorption of estrogen through vaginal administration of pills, capsules, and rings is minimal, but vaginal creams are more likely to increase circulating estradiol levels temporarily. Dehydroepiandrosterone can be used vaginally to treat dyspareunia. Ospemifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator that has estrogen receptor beta stimulation properties, is available as a nonestrogenic treatment; however, it is administered systemically. Laser treatment of the vagina does not improve the symptoms of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause.Sleep and Mood DisordersNonhormonal treatment of adverse mood includes psychotherapy and antidepressants (Table 362-5), with or without antianxiety medication (Table 362-9) as needed.For moderate to severe mood disturbances, hormonal therapy should not be used as a first-line treatment.Difficulty sleeping can be addressed behaviorally. Telephone-based cognitive-behavioral therapy can benefit about 85% of postmenopausal women with moderate insomnia.A self-help smartphone app (https://mobile.va.gov/app/cbt-i-coach) is available to enable patients to implement such treatment.