Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal Atrophy Definition, Reason, Symptom, Treatment, Prevention

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Vaginal Atrophy Definition, Reason, Symptom, Treatment, Prevention

Vaginal Atrophy Definition

Vaginal atrophy is the term used to describe the inflammation, dryness, and thinning of the vaginal walls. This condition can cause problems with the vagina or urinary tract. Other terms used to describe this condition are vulvovaginal atrophy, urogenital atrophy, and atrophic vaginitis.

It is estimated that approximately 10-40 percent of post-menopausal women experience symptoms of vaginal atrophy. However, only about 20–25 percent of them seek medical help. There are various reasons why women are embarrassed to seek help for this condition, including shame, feeling culturally taboo, fear of no treatment, and concerns about discussing intimate problems with medical personnel.

Vaginal Atrophy Reason

Vaginal atrophy occurs due to a decrease in the hormone estrogen, which causes the vagina to become drier, thinner, less elastic and brittle. Various factors that can cause a decrease in the hormone estrogen are:

  • Approaching and after menopause
  • After giving birth and breastfeeding
  • Consumption of certain drugs including certain contraceptives, for example Tamoxifen, Danazol, Medroxyprogesterone, and so on
  • After surgery that removes both ovaries
  • Radiation therapy for ovarian cancer or uterine cancer
  • Side effects of breast cancer treatment
  • Immune disorders, eg in diabetes or Sjogren’s syndrome
  • Smoking
  • Women who have never given birth
  • Stop having sex

Vaginal Atrophy Diagnosis

To determine the diagnosis of vaginal atrophy, a complete evaluation must be done, which is done with:

  • Detailed medical history or interview: medical history, possible causes, signs, and symptoms experienced.
  • Physical examination: the vagina looks shorter and narrower, dry on the inner surface of the vagina, redness, and swelling on the inner surface of the vagina, lack of elasticity in the skin around the vulva, the vaginal epithelium looks pale, shiny, and smooth, pubic hair looks sparse, pelvic organs prolapse, and etc.
  • Investigations: hormone level checks, Pap smears, vaginal pH checks, and so on.

Vaginal Atrophy Symptoms

Various complaints that can be felt by women with vaginal atrophy, including:

  • Feeling dry, itchy, or burning in the genitals
  • Dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), lack of libido, lack of lubrication during intercourse
  • Spots after sex or spots or spotting outside the menstrual schedule
  • Itching on the vulva
  • Abnormal discharge, such as a yellowish, smelly or whitish discharge accompanied by a burning sensation
  • Dysuria (pain when urinating)
  • Hematuria (voiding urine with blood)
  • Frequent urination
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Urinary incontinence

We recommend that you do further consultation with a doctor, especially if the following symptoms arise:

  • Symptoms are severe and interfere with daily life
  • Pain is felt during intercourse, and does not improve with the use of lubricants
  • There is bleeding, burning, or abnormal discharge from the vagina
  • The presence of symptoms such as night sweats or hot flushes (feeling hot and sweating)

Vaginal Atrophy Treatment

Vaginal atrophy treatment aims to relieve disturbing symptoms, restore or minimize physiological changes that have occurred, and improve the patient’s quality of life.

Several treatment methods may be considered, including:

  • Stop smoking
  • Staying sexually active (having sex)
  • Avoid using products (soap, powder, deodorant, etc.) with fragrances
  • The use of lotions, oils, and lubricants to moisturize the vagina and reduce symptoms due to vaginal dryness
  • The use of dilators, special instruments of various sizes that are inserted into the vagina before intercourse gradually from small to large. Serves to dilate the vagina gradually according to the size of the penis, thus avoiding pain during intercourse
  • Hormonal therapy, consisting of:
    • Vaginal (local) estrogen therapy, may be in the form of creams, rings, or vaginal pills. This therapy only treats symptoms related to the vagina and is not absorbed throughout the body
    • Systemic hormonal therapy (also known as hormone replacement therapy ), generally by consuming the hormone estrogen which will have an effect throughout the body
    • Ospemifene, a non-estrogen oral drug

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