Date of Award
Fall 12-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
December 2025
College Granting Degree
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Tracian Kelly
Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair
Claire Smart
Abstract
Affecting upwards of 87% of women in post menopause, genitourinary syndrome of menopause is greatly under-diagnosed, and consequently, under-treated. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause refers to health conditions impacted by hypoestrogenic state experienced in menopause. Common symptoms of GSM include vaginal dryness, irritation, clitoral or labial atrophy, dyspareunia, decreased libido, anorgasmia, dysuria, recurrent UTI, urinary incontinence (Kaufman et al., 2025). Despite the burdensome consequences of GSM, women are unlikely to vocalize their symptoms and seek treatment. Additionally, societal beliefs of shame surrounding sexual health impede patients and clinicians from addressing GSM specifically (Mili et al., 2021). As a result, the North American Menopause Society and the American Urological Association have now recommended routine screening of GSM to address the disparity in diagnosis and treatment (Kaufman et al., 2025) (North American Menopause Society [NAMS], 2020). The purpose of this quality improvement project was to observe if implementation of routine GSM screening using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) led to an increase in diagnosis, treatment, or referral in women age 40 and older experiencing peri menopause, menopause, or post menopause in an OBGYN clinic. Results did not indicate any statistical significance, χ² (3, N= 109) = 5.34, (p= .15), in GSM screening and clinical outcomes. Pre-intervention chart audits (n=79) showed rates of GSM diagnosis, treatment, and referrals at 65.8%, 36.7%, and 7.6% respectively; post-intervention chart audits (n=30), at 56.6%, 36.6%, and 23.3%. Despite results not yielding the intended outcome in the given population, the importance of addressing GSM persists and is evidenced by the growing disparity in treatment globally.
Recommended Citation
Noel, Ashley R., "BREAKING THE SILENCE WITH ROUTINE GENITOURINARY SYNDROME OF MENOPAUSE SCREENING: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 161.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/161