Academic Journal
Urinary and vaginal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional online survey of Greek women.
| Τίτλος: | Urinary and vaginal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional online survey of Greek women. |
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| Συγγραφείς: | Asimakopoulou C; Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Building B, Central Campus, 26504, Rio, Achaia, Greece. Electronic address: mypelvic.care@gmail.com., Vrapi A; Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Building B, Central Campus, 26504, Rio, Achaia, Greece., Tsounaka G; Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Building B, Central Campus, 26504, Rio, Achaia, Greece., Kanaki D; Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Building B, Central Campus, 26504, Rio, Achaia, Greece., Tsekoura M; Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Building B, Central Campus, 26504, Rio, Achaia, Greece., Makrynioti D; Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Building B, Central Campus, 26504, Rio, Achaia, Greece., Chountas S; Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Building B, Central Campus, 26504, Rio, Achaia, Greece., Billis E; Laboratory of Clinical Physiotherapy and Research, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Building B, Central Campus, 26504, Rio, Achaia, Greece. |
| Πηγή: | Maturitas [Maturitas] 2026 Aug; Vol. 211, pp. 109051. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Jul 03. |
| Τύπος έκδοσης: | Journal Article; Observational Study |
| Γλώσσα: | English |
| Στοιχεία περιοδικού: | Publisher: Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press Country of Publication: Ireland NLM ID: 7807333 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1873-4111 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 03785122 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Maturitas Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Publication: Limerick : Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press Original Publication: Amsterdam, Elsevier/North Holland Biomedical Press. |
| Ιατρικοί όροι (MeSH): | Urinary Incontinence*/epidemiology , Vaginal Diseases*/epidemiology , Obesity*/complications , Postmenopause*, Greece/epidemiology ; Overweight/complications ; Humans ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Symptom Burden ; Vagina ; Body Mass Index ; Severity of Illness Index ; Adult ; Life Style |
| Περίληψη: | Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of urological and vaginal symptoms among postmenopausal women in Greece and explored associations with demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors. Study Design: A cross-sectional observational online survey was conducted using validated Greek versions of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form and Vaginal Symptoms module. Women aged ≥40 years and within 10 years of menopause were recruited over a three-month period via university announcements, organizations, and social media. Collected variables included age, body mass index, parity, and medical history. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and symptom burden. Group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U or Kruskal-Wallis tests, and correlations were assessed with Spearman's coefficient. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 202 postmenopausal women (mean age 53.97 ± 4.81 years) completed the questionnaires. Urinary incontinence was reported by 65.8% of participants, while vaginal dryness (71.8%) was among the most common vaginal symptoms. Questionnaire scores indicated overall mild to moderate symptom severity. Obese participants had significantly more severe urinary incontinence than normal-weight and overweight participants (p < 0.05). No significant associations were observed between pelvic floor symptoms and physical activity, smoking, educational level, or time since menopause. Conclusions: Genitourinary symptoms are highly prevalent among postmenopausal women in Greece, with obesity identified as a key associated factor for severity of urinary incontinence. These findings highlight the need for early screening, systematic evaluation, and individualized management of genitourinary symptoms during menopause. (Copyright © 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) |
| Competing Interests: | Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interest. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: ICIQ; Menopause; Pelvic floor disorders; Postmenopausal symptoms; Urinary incontinence; Vaginal dryness |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20260706 Date Completed: 20260722 Latest Revision: 20260722 |
| Update Code: | 20260723 |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.109051 |
| PMID: | 42407411 |
| Βάση Δεδομένων: | MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 1873-4111 |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.109051 |