Kansas City, Kan- Key points from today’s guests:

Morning Rounds – Summary of Current News

Dr. Nancy Stewart, sleep medicine specialist, The University of Kansas Health System

• With Daylight Saving Time this weekend, in addition to sticking to a regular schedule, stick with the same wakeup time every day.
• Naps typically are not good for our brain. There is a subset of people who do need naps.
• Naps chew up our melatonin levels in our brain, which can push your bedtime later into the night.
• For kids, it is important to limit TV or electronics within an hour of bedtime.

Focus Topic

Dr. Danielle Staecker, obstetrician and gynecologist, The University of Kansas Health System; certified practitioner, North American Menopause Society

• Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is a newer term, with many possible symptoms. This is what occurs naturally in the body as women age.
• When ovaries begin to stop producing estrogen, the tissue for the vagina, bladder, and outside genital area is affected.
• With less estrogen, you lose collagen, so people can experience pain, dryness, recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder leakage, and bladder urgency. Any time you are experiencing those symptoms, you should reach out to your provider.
• Laser treatments can help some women when other medications do not. The health system purchased the laser initially to help cancer patients affected by the estrogen in many over-the-counter creams.
• The lasers create tiny holes in the tissue so the body regenerates some of that tissue.
• A great resource for more information is menopause.org.

Diane Little, treated for GSM

• Diane experienced urinary issues and her symptoms were so severe, it limited her daily activities.
• Over-the-counter treatments did not work so she saw Dr. Staecker for treatment.
• Based on the laser treatment, she felt about 50 percent better after the first time and after the second time, felt about 90 percent better.
• The sessions are typically about six weeks apart and she has been undergoing this treatment for five years.
• She suggests that others keep searching for answers if their health needs are not initially met.

COVID Updates

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, The University of Kansas Health System

• The hospital COVID count for this week is at 18 inpatients, which is in line with 15 inpatients last week.
• A recent study published in September 2023 looked at abnormal uterine bleeding after COVID vaccines. It found that there was a risk of bleeding in postmenopausal women anywhere from three to four weeks after the first or second dose of the COVID vaccine.
• It is important to note that so when they get that evaluated, the vaccine can be factored in to see if that could be the cause or if it is due to another issue.