Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Vaginal Atrophy
Among the many diseases affecting women today, vaginal atrophy is one of the most common. There are a lot of causes, symptoms, and treatment options available for this condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms of vaginal atrophy can include itching, burning, irritation, and discomfort. These may be related to the thinning of the lining of the vagina due to low levels of estrogen. The atrophy is also associated with decreased lubrication during sexual intercourse. The thinned vaginal walls can increase tearing, which puts women at risk of STDs.
The most common cause of vaginal atrophy is menopause. Menopause occurs around age 50 and causes a decrease in estrogen production. It can occur naturally or result from other conditions, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or hysterectomy.
When a woman starts to experience symptoms of vaginal atrophy, she should mention them to her healthcare provider. She should have her vagina checked to see if there is any infection. If there is an infection, treatment can be given to reduce the symptoms. However, if the condition does not get treated, the symptoms can continue. This can be very distressing and can affect a woman’s quality of life.
Some women do not report these symptoms to their doctor, because they are embarrassed. They think that they are part of the aging process, and think that there is nothing that can be done about them.
Although the symptoms of vaginal atrophy are usually unpleasant, they can be treatable. The most effective treatments involve taking estrogen. A woman can take oral estrogen or a soft gel. Other treatments are used to lower the amount of estrogen produced. Some drugs used to treat endometriosis, fibroids, and fibrocystic breast disease are considered anti-estrogenic.
If a woman does not get treatment, the symptoms of vaginal atrophy are likely to persist. This can result in increased risks of urinary tract infections (UTIs), incontinence, and decreased quality of life. The sooner the atrophy is treated, the better the outcome.
Many women do not seek treatment for vaginal atrophy because they do not want to be identified as having a health issue. In fact, only 25% of women who experience symptoms of vaginal atrophy receive medical help.
If a woman is experiencing symptoms of vaginal atrophy, she can get relief through over-the-counter medications, or by taking oral or injected medications from her healthcare provider. Her healthcare provider can help her choose a treatment plan that will best suit her needs.
Causes
During menopause, the body’s natural estrogen decreases, causing vaginal atrophy. Without estrogen, the vaginal lining thins and can become drier and less acidic. This can increase the risk of urinary tract infections.
If you have vaginal atrophy, you may experience burning or pain during sex. You may also need to urinate more frequently. Aside from this, you may also experience recurrent vaginal infections. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should visit a healthcare provider.
The causes of vaginal atrophy include a drop in estrogen production, a non-vaginal delivery, radiation therapy, and any other condition that reduces the production of estrogen. There are a number of treatments that are available, including hormonal replacement therapy, anti-estrogenic therapies, and over-the-counter lubricants.
In some cases, women who have had their ovaries removed may develop vaginal atrophy. The hormones that are produced during childbearing years are needed to promote good health. However, during menopause, estrogen production decreases dramatically. This can make the vaginal walls and pelvic tissues more sensitive to irritants.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of vaginal atrophy, you should see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Your doctor will perform a pelvic examination and collection of your vaginal secretions. They will help you choose a treatment plan.
Some of the treatment options include hormone replacement therapy, anti-estrogenic therapies, oral steroid medication, and laser treatment. These treatments are effective in treating the symptoms of vaginal atrophy.
When considering treatment options, you should discuss your sexual history with your doctor. This can help you rule out other conditions that may be causing your vaginal atrophy.
Your provider should ask you if you have had any bleeding during the past few weeks. They may also ask if you have had a recent pregnancy or baby. If you have had a recent pregnancy, you may be at higher risk of developing vaginal atrophy.
The Coyle Institute offers a pelvic health assessment and a comprehensive treatment plan to improve your pelvic health. You can also find out more about diVa, which is a treatment option for vaginal dryness and pain.
Treatment options
During menopause, the ovaries produce fewer hormones, which can lead to vaginal atrophy. The symptoms of atrophy include dryness, itching, and pain during intercourse.
Vaginal atrophy can be treated with hormone therapy. This helps restore moisture, bacterial balance, and flexibility to the vagina. It can also help prevent further degeneration of the vaginal lining.
For many women, using hormone replacement products is uncomfortable and can have adverse side effects. Vaginal estrogens, such as estriol, are used to treat the symptoms of atrophy.
The first step is to discuss the symptoms with your healthcare provider. He or she will work with you to develop a treatment plan. Depending on your needs, there are options for local, systemic, or non-hormonal hormone replacement therapy.
The most effective form of hormone therapy for atrophy is estrogen. It can be administered as a cream or pellet, or in skin patches. It works by improving bacterial balance in the vagina, restoring moisture, and thickening the skin.
Other options include hyaluronic acid and Kegel exercises. Both of these can help relieve the symptoms of atrophy, and hyaluronic acid is non-hormonal.
Another option is laser treatment. This uses heat energy to trigger the body’s healing response, which can encourage collagen production. It has been shown to improve vaginal function and reduce symptoms.
There are many other treatments, but not all of them will work for everyone. It is important to find a treatment that is right for you. The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms, reverse physiologic changes, and improve quality of life.
In some cases, oral medication will be prescribed. These can have more side effects than topical medications. If you have concerns about oral medications, you may want to consider a compounding lab.
If you are experiencing symptoms of atrophy, it is best to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The earlier you start treating the atrophy, the better. This can make it more difficult to treat the condition later on.
You can also treat the atrophy with moisturizers and lubricants. These can provide relief from itching and discomfort. Regular sexual activity can also be helpful.
Prevention
During menopause, vaginal atrophy can be a very painful symptom. It may also lead to urinary problems. The main cause of atrophy is a decrease in estrogen.
It is important to note that estrogen is needed for the health of a woman during her childbearing years. If you are experiencing vaginal atrophy, you may need to take hormones. The earlier treatment you get, the better your chances of reversing the condition.
The hormones you take should be discussed with your doctor. They will discuss the risks and benefits. Use of topical estrogen therapies are also available. Using these creams is recommended, but they must be used according to the prescription from your healthcare provider.
Another option is to use water-based lubricants. This will improve blood circulation in the vagina and help maintain healthy tissues. It can also make sex more comfortable.
There are also non-hormonal moisturizers that can be used. The application of these products is usually applied before intercourse. They can provide moisture to the vaginal cells and prevent GSM-related dryness.
In addition, sexual activity can help prevent atrophy. Regular exercise improves blood flow to the genital organs and helps the vagina stay elastic.
Women with vaginal atrophy may experience pain during intercourse. Itching and burning are also common symptoms. If these symptoms continue after other treatments, they should be referred to a healthcare professional.
It is important to keep your vagina clean and free from bacteria. Bacteria thrive in an acidic environment. When a woman’s vagina becomes less acidic, she is more prone to developing urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Taking medication from your medical provider can help treat vaginal atrophy. The medications work by restoring the elasticity of the vaginal tissue. This is the best way to reduce the discomfort associated with atrophy.
During vaginal atrophy, the vulvar skin and cervix become saggy and thin. A cool compress can help ease the symptoms. It can also be helpful to apply a bicarb soda solution to the vagina. This should be applied gently.
You can also discuss with your healthcare provider if you are worried about your urinary symptoms. Several tests can be done to check if you are having a UTI.
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Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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