Urogenital problems are very common during menopause, yet only four of ten women consult their doctor for it. Anatomically the vagina and the lower genital tract lie close together separated by a few layers of cells. Lack of estrogen causes these cells to become thin and dry.

Urinary symptoms include discomfort in passing urine, frequent and urgent urination, there may also be some dribbling because the sphincter muscle guarding the bladder exit becomes weak due to low estrogen levels. Urine escapes from the bladder on coughing, laughing or carrying heavy weights and is called stress urinary incontinence. You may also experience genital dryness and itching and vaginal soreness particularly during or after intercourse.

Self-help

Use vaginal moisturizing aqueous gel, to relieve vaginal dryness, soreness or itchiness experienced during intercourse. One application lasts for four days.
Wear loose fitting underwear and avoid perfumed bath additives.
Keep bladder flushed by drinking at least two litres of fluids.
Swimming is a particularly good exercise, so is regular sex or masturbation.
Kegels exercises strengthen pelvic muscles, combat urinary incontinence and make sex more pleasurable. To find out how to exercise these muscles, next time when you go to toilet stop urinating in midstream by contracting these muscles- they are your pelvic floor muscles. Repeat this as many times as possible, at least fifty times a day.