Atrophic vaginitis
Unfortunately, the symptoms of a disease like atrophic vaginitis are well known to many older women. Its development is due to the onset of estrogen deficiency (female sex hormones) in the body of women after the onset of menopause.
Atrophic vaginitis occurs in almost 75% of women in menopause.
The reasons for the development of atrophic vaginitis
Estrogens improve blood circulation in the vagina, maintain an acidic environment in it, which is necessary for the life of Doderlein sticks - beneficial bacteria that suppress the reproduction of pathogenic microflora.
With menopause, the production of estrogen in a woman's body decreases sharply. As a result, the vaginal epithelium becomes thinner, vaginal folds are smoothed out, and the lumen of the vagina is reduced. These atrophic changes create conditions for exacerbation of chronic vaginitis.
The main symptoms of atrophic vaginitis
Very rarely, atrophic vaginitis is completely asymptomatic. But most often women complain of a feeling of dryness in the vagina and itching of varying severity. A burning sensation often occurs inside the genitals, and the walls of the vagina descend. Women often experience increased urge to urinate.
With atrophic vaginitis, the fragility of the blood capillaries of the vaginal mucosa increases. Therefore, during a gynecological examination or sexual contact, bleeding often occurs. In advanced cases, spotting from the vagina appears quite constantly.
In the area of the pubis and labia majora, hair loss is noted, up to the complete baldness of this area.
Diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis
If atrophic vaginitis is suspected, a gynecological examination is performed in the mirrors of the vagina and cervix. A smear is taken from the cervical canal of the cervix for cytological examination, which makes it possible to exclude possible oncological pathology. A smear is taken from the vagina for bacteriological analysis.
Before prescribing the treatment of atrophic vaginitis, the gynecologist must conduct a colposcopic examination, which allows you to examine the walls of the vagina and the cervix in detail and in all details.
Atrophic vaginitis: treatment
Therapy of atrophic vaginitis is primarily aimed at replenishing the lack of estrogen in a woman's body. For this, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed, the program of which is selected by a gynecologist-endocrinologist. Typically, a woman is prescribed estrogen pills. Hormone replacement therapy for atrophic vaginitis allows not only to relieve women of unpleasant sensations, but also prevents them from developing such a serious disease as osteoporosis.
In some cases, the treatment of atrophic vaginitis consists in the local use of suppositories or ointments containing synthetic estrogen analogues. In this case, a quick elimination of the symptoms of the disease is achieved, at the same time, hormonal drugs do not have their systemic effect on the woman's body.
Antibiotics are never used in the treatment of atrophic vaginitis. the infectious component has no decisive role in the development of this disease.
In addition to hormone therapy, physiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of atrophic vaginitis. Also used are multivitamin preparations used as a general tonic.
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The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
