Vaginal atrophy
You may have noticed dryness in your vagina, felt pain when peeing, or had pain and bleeding during sex, then you may have vaginal atrophy. Vaginal atrophy, also known as atrophic vaginitis, is a condition where the lining of the vagina gets thinner and drier, which results in itching and burning feeling in the vaginal area and pain during sex. This could be one of the complications of menopause. Schedule an appointment with the best GYN in East New York for menopause treatments at Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center.
SYMPTOMS
Although vaginal atrophy is common, only about 25% of women with symptoms seek medical attention. You might notice these symptoms during your menopausal period, or it could appear several years later. Symptoms can include:
- Thinning of the vaginal walls
- Spotting after sexual intercourse
- Vaginal dryness
- Tightening of the vaginal canal
- Pain during urination
- Frequent urinary tract infection
- Urinary incontinence
- A yellowy vaginal discharge
CAUSES
When you are in your menopausal stage, your body produces less estrogen. And without estrogen, the wall in your vagina becomes less stretchy and thinner. Your vaginal canal can also become narrower and shorter. When your body produces less estrogen, it lowers the amount of your vaginal fluid. If you have just given birth or are breastfeeding, your estrogen level may also drop. The mentioned symptoms also occur if you have had your ovaries removed or are taking certain medications.
Aside from menopause, your estrogen declines when:
- You are breastfeeding
- You are undergoing chemotherapy as treatment for cancer
- You are undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment
- You are undergoing hormonal therapy for breast cancer
You could also be more likely to develop vaginal atrophy if you have not given birth vaginally. Smoking can also alter proper blood circulation, thus depriving your vagina and other tissues in your body of enough oxygen. When this happens, the tissue
TREATMENT
You have several treatment options for vaginal atrophy. Work with our specialist at Doral Health and Wellness so you can have a treatment plan fit for your needs. We will help you decide which plan is the most effective based on your symptoms. Lubricants that are water-based and over-the-counter moisturizers can help you treat dryness.
If your symptoms are severe, our doctor can recommend estrogen replacement therapy. Estrogen will help improve the elasticity and natural moisture of your vagina.
If you experience spotting during sex, you may be recommended to use dilators. These are devices used to widen or dilate your vagina. You can start using a narrow dilator and change to larger sizes until your vagina will be wide enough to accommodate a penis for sexual activity without pain.
You can also try hormone therapy to restore the normal acid balance of the vagina, maintain natural moisture and improve the bacterial balance.
PREVENTION
Aside from taking medication, you can also make certain changes to your lifestyle. Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes to improve some of your symptoms. Loose clothing will improve air circulation around the genitals. You may also experience pain during sexual intercourse. However, staying sexually active will help enhance the blood circulation in your vagina and help create natural moisture. Although sexual activities cannot help increase your estrogen levels, it improves blood circulation, keeping your sexual organs healthier.
Leaving your vaginal atrophy untreated does not only affect your sexual life but also your life in general. It causes frequent pain, dryness, urinary problems, and bleeding. Be sure to address your symptoms before it gets worse.
If you are around Brooklyn, you may want to check out Doral Health and Wellness – Women’s Health Center. We have the best gynecologist that treats women with GYN problems. We provide women with quality healthcare services. Our specialists aim to deliver the highest quality of healthcare. To book an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, or call us on 1-347-384–5690 or 1-347-955-3465. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries.