Vaginal Atrophy

What Is Vagina Atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy, also referred to as atrophic vaginitis, is a condition where the vaginal walls become thin, dry, and inflamed due to decreased estrogen levels. It is a common side effect of menopause, but also occurs after some breast cancer treatments and during breast feeding. Vaginal atrophy can make intercourse painful and can cause troublesome urinary issues and symptoms. Some of the common symptoms of vaginal atrophy include:

Vaginal dryness and burning
Discharge
Genital itching
Urgent or burning urination
Painful intercourse
Light bleeding after intercourse
Shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal

What Causes Vaginal Atrophy?

Vaginal atrophy is caused by a decrease in estrogen production. Less estrogen causes your vaginal tissues to become less elastic, thinner, drier, and fragile. Estrogen levels normally fluctuate, but many women experience a distinct drop following menopause, during the time preceding menopause, after surgery to remove the ovaries, following radiation or chemotherapy for cancer, or following hormonal treatment for breast cancer. Some of the risk factors that can increase your risk of developing vaginal atrophy include smoking, a lack of sexual activity, or not giving birth vaginally.

How Is Vaginal Atrophy Treated?

The doctors at Southeast Urogyn tailor their treatment to address the specific needs of each individual patient. Some patients may benefit from simply using a vaginal moisturizer to restore some moisture to the vagina. Others may benefit from using a water-based lubricant to ease discomfort during intercourse. However, if these treatments are not sufficient to relieve the symptoms, the doctors may suggest topical and intra-vaginal estrogen therapy. This may include a vaginal estrogen cream or pill which is inserted into the vagina. The doctor will prescribe the dosage and how often it needs to be applied. A vaginal estrogen ring can also be used and will release a steady dose of estrogen for approximately 3 months before it needs to be replaced. If the vaginal atrophy presents with other symptoms of menopause, the doctor may suggest systemic estrogen therapy such as pills, patches, gels, or a higher dose of estrogen ring More recently, CO2 laser treatments, such as the MonaLisa Touch and Core2Intima, have been very successfully, used to stimulate collagen production within the vagina. Laser therapy is especially important for cancer patients in whom estrogen treatment may not be an option.

For more information about Vaginal Atrophy, we recommend reading the infographic: The Painful Truth about Vulvar and Vaginal Atrophy (VVA) in Postmenopausal Women