Vaginal Atrophy or Atrophic Vaginitis

Pelvis | Gynecology | Vaginal Atrophy or Atrophic Vaginitis (Disease)


Description

Atrophic vaginitis is a condition of the mucous vulva (the external female genitalia) and vagina, caused by estrogen deficiency. Atrophic vaginitis may occur at any age, but affects all women.

Common signs and symptoms are: Urinary disorders: Polyuria; Burning when urinating; Micturition urgency; Urinary incontinence; Pain ; Pruritus (itching) and / or vulvar burning; Bleeding; Dyspareunia (painful intercourse).

Causes and Risk factors

The most commonly occurs in women after menopause and in women whose ovaries do not produce estrogen. Also affect lactating women, who are treated with progesterone or who’s ovaries were removed surgically. Decreased estrogen levels can cause changes in the vulvar and vaginal mucosa, as well as the urethral and bladder mucosa. These changes consist in thinning mucous membranes such can be easily damaged.

Atrophic vaginitis increases the risk of vaginal infections (vaginitis). Atrophy cause a change in the acid environment of the vagina, making it more susceptible to infections with bacteria, Candida and Trichomonas.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is established by a gynecologist. It will examine the vulva and vagina of women and will yield a sample of vaginal secretions. The doctor will examine sample of secretions and will diagnose atrophic vaginitis if it will find the specifics. Atrophic vaginitis is caused by low blood levels of estrogen. Decreased estrogen levels affect women differently, so that not all women are atrophic vaginitis. When estrogen levels begin to drop, some women will experience atrophic vaginitis .

The treatment may include any of the following: Estrogen replacement therapy - restores the serum levels of estrogen. Can be done in two ways: Oral estrogen (administered orally) - is given a daily tablet of estrogen; Patch - applied to the skin 1-2 times a week, usually in the upper body, estrogen is absorbed through the skin. Given that women are not hysterectomised (has not been surgically removed uterus) are recommended replacement therapy progesteronic. Diet rich in phytoestrogens - Phytoestrogens (also called isoflavones) are plant estrogens. In some cases, supplementing the diet with foods rich in phytoestrogens is effective. Sources of phytoestrogens are soy-based foods. ...