Skip to content
Rooted

Women’s Health · also Genitourinary

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause

3 plants

Ask Assistant about this

Dryness, dyspareunia, UTIs after menopause is GSM. Low-dose vaginal estrogen (or DHEA/ospemifene when those are the plan) still wins, including in many breast-cancer survivors after oncology input. Black cohosh is a vasomotor plant with a DILI file — it does not treat the vagina. Tea tree in the vagina is a chemical burn. Recurring 'yeast' after 55 is often atrophy.

Primary plants

  1. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
    1
    CalendulaStrong traditional

    Calendula officinalis

    Soothing external ointment on intact vulvar skin. Not estrogen. Not an intra-vaginal drug.

    Typical. Flower ointment external, thin.

    Safety. Asteraceae. Not a substitute for vaginal estrogen when that is indicated.

Supportive plants2
  • Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
    Black cohoshHuman data
    Actaea racemosa

    Vasomotor file, mixed. Rare hepatotoxicity. Does not treat GSM.

    Typical. If the leftover is hot flashes, see the perimenopause page — not this one.

    Safety. Stop for jaundice. Not a vaginal treatment.

  • Sage (Salvia officinalis)
    SageStrong traditional
    Salvia officinalis

    If night sweats coexist. Not a vaginal plant.

    Typical. Leaf tea. Oil internally is thujone.

    Safety. Pregnancy not relevant here; still culinary-vs-oil.

Clinical notes

  • Tea tree, garlic, and yogurt in the vagina are mucosal injury, not GSM care.

When this is not enough

  • Postmenopausal bleeding, pelvic mass, recurrent culture-proven UTI needing that algorithm, pain out of proportion (consider dermatosis/lichen)

Rooted is a private clinical reference for licensed practitioners. It is educational, not a treatment protocol, and not a substitute for the chart, the exam, or pharmacy review. Plant medicines interact with drugs and can harm liver, kidney, heart, pregnancy, and children.

All women’s health diagnoses