Genitourinary syndrome of menopause in Chinese-speaking sex workers attending an urban Australian sexual health clinic: a quality improvement project

Ying Zhi Zhou; Arthur Wong; Maggie Ma; Luming Xu; Xiaoxin Shi; Rosalind Foster

doi:10.1071/SH25077

EDITORIAL

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Genitourinary syndrome of menopause in Chinese-speaking sex workers attending an urban Australian sexual health clinic: a quality improvement project

Ying Zhi Zhou ^A , Arthur Wong

^A ^B , Maggie Ma ^A , Luming Xu ^A , Xiaoxin Shi

^A and Rosalind Foster ^A ^B ^*

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses, Population and Community Health, South East Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.

^B The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: rosalind.foster@health.nsw.gov.au

Handling Editor: Alissa Davis

Sexual Health 22, SH25077 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH25077

Submitted: 20 May 2025 Accepted: 16 September 2025 Published: 6 October 2025

Abstract

This Letter reports on perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms among Chinese-speaking commercial sex workers (CSWs) attending Sydney Sexual Health Centre. Forty-six CSWs aged ≥45 years were screened using a modified Greene Climacteric Scale. Sixteen showed symptoms of oestrogen deficiency, and 31 reported vaginal dryness causing painful sex. Given the physical demands of sex work, these symptoms may impact quality of life and ability to work. Findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive, accessible healthcare services to address the menopausal health concerns of CSWs and reduce barriers to care.

Keywords: Chinese-speaking, genitourinary, menopause, occupational health, perimenopause, sex workers, sexual health, women’s health.

References

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