title: The CLOSER survey: impact of postmenopausal vaginal discomfort on women and male partners in the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To understand the physical and emotional impact of postmenopausal vaginal discomfort on relationships between women and their male partners.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a quantitative, Internet-based survey, 8200 individuals from the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, Italy, US and Canada (postmenopausal, married/cohabiting women, aged 55-65 years, who had experienced vaginal discomfort, and male partners of such women) completed a structured questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Results for respondents from the UK (500 men, 500 women), expressed as percentages of women/men describing particular answers, are reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Avoiding physical intimacy because of vaginal discomfort was reported by 69% of women and 76% of male partners, mainly due to concern about sex being painful (women 63%; men 61%); 18% of women considered vaginal discomfort had created emotional distance between them and their partners. Local estrogen treatment was used by 21% of women, among whom 58% subsequently reported less painful sex. Following such treatment, 33% of women and 30% of male partners reported an improved sex life, while 33% of women and 34% of male partners described becoming emotionally closer. Although 73% of women did not consider enough information about vaginal discomfort to be available, 60% would consult a physician to obtain this.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although vaginal discomfort has a substantial impact on postmenopausal women and their partners, improvements in sexual and emotional relationships can follow use of local estrogen therapy. Not all women may be aware of therapeutic options; healthcare providers can improve outcomes by more openly communicating and initiating discussion with patients.
authors.affiliation: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK. claudinedomoney@aol.com
authors.forename: Claudine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Domoney
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Panay
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maamari
authors.forename: Rossella E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Nappi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001284:Atrophy; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000473:pathology*; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Local estrogen therapy; male partner; menopause; survey; vaginal atrophy