Off to the bathroom, again?

When it comes to menopause symptoms, hot flashes get plenty of coverage, but urinary changes, although common, are not as frequently discussed.

Urinary symptoms can stem from low estrogen, which also contributes to dryness and other vaginal changes during menopause. Because vaginal and urinary symptoms are often related to a similar cause, they’re referred to collectively as “genitourinary syndrome of menopause” (GSM).

In addition to dryness, some common GSMrelated urinary symptoms include:

Stress Incontinence: This issue is defined by the involuntary loss of urine due to weak pelvic floor muscles or bladder.

Overactive Bladder (OAB): If you find yourself having to urinate more often or waking up multiple times to go, it could be OAB. This is caused by involuntary bladder muscle contractions followed by an intense urge to urinate.

Bladder Infection (including UTIs): Infections have similar symptoms to OAB, like urinary frequency or urgency, but an official diagnosis is dependent on a urinalysis done by your healthcare provider. Low estrogen levels during menopause can make you more vulnerable to infections as skin is thinner and more prone to tearing – letting bacteria in more easily.

Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider if urinary changes are affecting you. No matter the symptoms, there are solutions that can help.