If you've noticed some leakage when you sneeze, laugh or exercise or a sudden, hard-to-ignore urge to urinate since your periods stopped, you're far from alone. This is one of the most common and least talked about, symptoms that women can experience with menopause. It certainly doesn’t mean it is ‘normal’ – however, yes it is very common.

Beyond the clinical language, Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause shows up in very ordinary and often very disruptive ways. The encouraging news is that treatment options for GSM are well established and most are simple, low-risk and effective. What works best often depends on symptom severity and how much a woman is prepared to address the underlying factors.

Changes to the vagina and vulva are a far more quiet topic that deserves more awareness and attention. Asking questions like why and how does this happen, as well as what options are available to support are super valuable for us as women.