Menopause is known for its hot flashes, the sweats, weight gain, and mood changes. But what about vaginal dryness?

Vulvovaginal atrophy commonly occurs during menopause, and its symptoms include irritated tissue, lack of lubrication, pain with urination, and pain with intercourse. These symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy occur in as many as 45% of post-menopausal women. And yet, the majority of post-menopausal women feel uncomfortable discussing their symptoms with their healthcare providers.

Vulvovaginal atrophy significantly affects many women, altering their relationships and quality of life. In recognition of this, the North

The Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit organization that works to advance reproductive health, released a report in September on the state of unintended pregnancy in the United States. The organization estimates that currently, around 49% of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended. This is higher than the rate of unintended pregnancy in many other developed countries. For this study, an unintended pregnancy is considered a pregnancy that is either mistimed or unwanted.

Last Tuesday’s New York Times article painted an unpleasant picture of the state of scientific research due to cutbacks with the sequestration. The $1 trillion in budget cuts have significantly slowed research momentum, which could lead to major setbacks in the health world. Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, described 2013 as the “darkest” year to date for the agency, whose budget is suffering and distributing smaller numbers of grants than ever.