Gina 10 - A New Treatment For Menopause Without Prescription

Oct 25, 2022 Women's Health

The menopause can be a trying time, to say the least. There are a number of signs and symptoms associated with menopause, and what a woman’s experience of these are/will be is individual. Some women may find themselves dealing with fairly full-on symptoms, such as night sweats, mood changes, tiredness and more. Others may have an easier time of it.  

While menopause and the most common symptoms are now more widely known and discussed, one that not everyone is aware of, is vaginal atrophy. Thankfully there is a new over the counter drug for this, Gina 10. In this blog post we look closer at what vaginal atrophy is and how Gina 10 can help.

 

What is Vaginal Atrophy?

 

When menopause hits, your hormone levels are affected. Your oestrogen levels drop. Post-menopause, some women find that a decrease in oestrogen can cause the vaginal tissues, both in and around the vagina, to thin. What this means is that you experience lesser elasticity and flexibility vaginally. This is called vaginal atrophy. 

Some women also find that as well as the thinning of the walls of their vagina, they also see a marked drop in the production of mucus, leading to vaginal drying. 

 

What Symptoms Might You Experience with Vaginal Atrophy?

 

As with all things related to the body, the frequency and severity of symptoms will differ from person to person. It’s not unusual though, for someone with vaginal atrophy (VA) to experience:

• Soreness
• Dryness
• A burning sensation
• Itching
• Pain or discomfort during intercourse (often associated with dryness)
• Urinary issue including needing to go more frequently and with more urgency

 

Some women post-menopause, with VA, might find themselves more likely to experience UTIs (urinary tract infections) or vaginal infections. This is down to a lack of oestrogen altering the PH balance in the vagina.

 

How Vaginal Atrophy Progresses
 

It’s important to note that while many symptoms associated with menopause lessen or disappear over time, vagina atrophy tends to be a progressive condition, This means that symptoms will persist and get worse over time if untreated or if treatment is stopped. This is one of the reasons that Gina 10 is proving to be popular, as it can be used long-term, unless medically advised otherwise.

 

What is Gina 10 and How Does it Work

 

Gina 10 is a targeted treatment for vaginal atrophy. Available in the form of estradiol-containing vaginal tablets (which arrive in a pre-loaded applicator), Gina 10 is used for the treatment of symptoms caused by decreased oestgrogen such as vaginal dryness, itching/burning, soreness and discomfort during sexual intercourse. 

Some women may have heard of Vagifem which is a similar medication. The main differences between the two is that Gina 10 is exclusively used by patients who are post-menopausal and it can be issued without a prescription so you don’t need to see your GP.

 

In Conclusion

 

Vaginal Atrophy (VA) is not one of the symptoms of menopause that’s as well known or as spoken about. It’s World Menopause Day on the 18th of October which co-incides with us releasing Gina 10 to our site for those who will benefit. One of the key aims of this menopause awareness days is to help those facing menopause, living through it and those who are post-menopausal to find answers to the many questions they have about their short and long-term health and wellbeing.

If you have questions about Gina 10 our pharmacist would be happy to discuss your suitability for this treatment. Should you feel that you are struggling with the symptoms of menopause or that they are increasing, please get in touch with your GP for support.