Vaginal atrophy

Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) is thinning and inflammation of the vaginal walls due to a decline in estrogen. The most effective treatment is estrogen applied to the vaginal area, usually as a cream. That's unfortunate, because the condition isn't trivial. For many women, vaginal atrophy makes intercourse painful. It occurs most often after menopause If intercourse hurts, your interest in sex will naturally wane taking away an important source of joy in your relationship. The most common cause is the decrease in estrogen after the menopause although it can be caused by other conditions. What's more, healthy genital function is closely intertwined with healthy urinary system function. When atrophic changes affect your urinary system as well as your vagina (genitourinary atrophy), you might also experience increased frequency or urgency of urination or burning with urination. Estrogen replacement therapy may be provided systemically or locally, but the dosage and delivery method must be individualized. Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants, and participation in coitus may also be beneficial in the treatment of women with atrophic vaginitis The tamoxifen-like effects were discovered when DeGregorio compared the ability of ospemifene and tamoxifen to inhibit breast cancer in mice exposed to a carcinogen.

The estrogen stays primarily in the vaginal area, although a small amount is absorbed into the bloodstream. Because of declining estrogen levels, women who are in mid-life or beyond often present with symptoms of atrophic vaginitis. Estrogen therapy in pill or patch form (systemic) is less effective for vaginal atrophy. Also, the risks of systemic estrogen must be considered. By some estimates, more than half of menopausal women experience vaginal atrophy, although very few seek treatment. The rest may resign themselves to the symptoms or be embarrassed to broach the topic with their doctors. The good news is that simple, effective treatments for vaginal atrophy are available. Reduced estrogen levels do result in changes to your body, but it doesn't mean you have to live with vaginal discomfort and associated urinary problems.

Causes of Vaginal atrophy

The common Causes of Vaginal atrophy :

• During breast-feeding
• After pelvic radiation therapy for cancer
• After chemotherapy for cancer

Symptoms of Vaginal atrophy

Some common Symptoms of Vaginal atrophy :

• Vaginal dryness
• Watery vaginal discharge
• Light bleeding after intercourse
• Urgency with urination
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Urinary incontinence
• Discomfort with intercourse
• Vaginal itching or burning
• Burning on urination

Women's Health

Adenomyosis
Ahumada-Del Castillo Syndrome
Anovulatory cycles
Asherman's syndrome
Atrophic vaginitis
Bacterial vaginosis
Baker's Cyst
Bartholion gland cyst
Candida infection
Cervical Ectropion
Cervical Erosion
Cervical mucous
Cervical polyp
Cystocele
Cystocoele
Dermoid Cysts
Dry vagina
Endometriosis
Enterocoele
Fibroids
Ganglion cysts
Gonorrhoea
Hydrometrocolpos
Hysteria
Lactose intolerance
Laryngitis
Legionnaire's disease
Leprosy
Leptospirosis
Leucorrhoea
Leukaemia
Lice infestation
Lichen planus
Lipoma
Liver cirrhosis
Mittelschmerz
Nabothian gland cyst
Oestogen dominance
Ovarian cysts
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pilonidal cyst
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Popliteal cysts
Rectocoele
Sebaceous cysts
Trichomonas infection
Urethral caruncle
Urethrocoele
Vaginal atrophy
Vaginitis
Vulvodynia
Wernicke korsakoff synodrome