Vaginal atrophy

Dr. Ayush PandeyMBBS,PG Diploma

January 14, 2019

March 06, 2020

Vaginal atrophy
Vaginal atrophy

What is vaginal atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy is a condition encountered mostly during menopause, in which the vaginal tissue starts showing signs of atrophy such as dryness, thinness and sometimes inflammation. This occurs due to lowered oestrogen levels in the body after menopause.

What are its main signs and symptoms?

Some common symptoms of vaginal atrophy are as follows:

What are the main causes?

Vaginal atrophy is mainly seen in women with reduced levels of oestrogen, which occurs due to:

  • Removal of the ovaries
  • Pregnancy
  • Just after delivering a baby
  • Breastfeeding
  • Undergoing breast cancer treatment with medications such as aromatase inhibitors.

How is it diagnosed?

The physician takes a complete medical history, and a thorough physical examination of the vagina is carried out to diagnose atrophy. Signs that help establish the diagnosis on physical examination include are – a red, swollen, dried, shortened or narrowed vagina with a whitish discolouration and loss of vaginal elasticity.

Management of vaginal atrophy aims at either relieving the symptoms or addressing the loss of oestrogen, and it includes:

  • Use of lotions and oils to treat dryness by providing moistness
  • Use of vaginal lubricants
  • Use of vaginal gels
  • Use of dilators in conjunction with local hormone therapy, which improves the symptoms of vaginal atrophy along with the health of the skin. This is achieved by restoration of the normal acid balance of the vagina, maintaining natural moisture, thickening the skin, and improving bacterial balance

Hormonal treatment includes:

  • Local vaginal oestrogen therapy, which is used in the cream form or as tablets or rings, will reduce the symptoms of vaginal dryness.
  • Systemic hormone replacement therapy can also be used.



References

  1. Management of symptomatic vulvovaginal atrophy: 2013 position statement of The North American Menopause Society. Menopause. 2013 Sep;20(9):888-902; quiz 903-4. PMID: 23985562
  2. Barry L. Hainer. Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2011 Apr 1;83(7):807-815. [Internet] American Academy of Family Physicians
  3. Cleveland Clinic. [Internet]. Cleveland, Ohio. Vaginal Atrophy: Management and Treatment
  4. Johnston SL et al. The detection and management of vaginal atrophy. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2004 May;26(5):503-15. PMID: 15151738
  5. U. S Food and Drug Association. [Internet]. Estrogen and Estrogen/Progestin Drug Products to Treat Vasomotor Symptoms and Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy Symptoms — Recommendations for Clinical Evaluation

Doctors for Vaginal atrophy

Dr. Harshvardhan Deshpande Dr. Harshvardhan Deshpande General Physician
13 Years of Experience
Dr. Supriya Shirish Dr. Supriya Shirish General Physician
20 Years of Experience
Dr. Priyanka Rana Dr. Priyanka Rana General Physician
2 Years of Experience
Dr. Bajirao  Malode Dr. Bajirao Malode General Physician
13 Years of Experience
Consult a Doctor

Medicines for Vaginal atrophy

Medicines listed below are available for Vaginal atrophy. Please note that you should not take any medicines without doctor consultation. Taking any medicine without doctor's consultation can cause serious problems.