Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause in Thai Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

Women often face common cancers like ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers. Improvements in cancer detection and treatment mean more women survive. However, survivors can encounter challenges like ongoing pain, treatment complications, and fertility issues. Treating these cancers often involves surgeries that might include removing ovaries or using pelvic radiation. This can trigger menopause in younger women, causing problems like vaginal dryness, itching, and urinary issues. Women who've gone through menopause often deal with these symptoms, affecting their daily lives, confidence, and intimate relationships. Though treatments are available, lack of awareness, embarrassment, and not discussing these issues with doctors can make managing them difficult. The main treatment for these symptoms is using vaginal estrogen, but it might not be suitable for some cancer survivors. Non-hormonal options like lubricants and moisturizers are alternatives. This study in Thailand aiming to explore how common these issues are among gynecological cancer survivors, their feelings about it, and how it affects their quality of life.