by It commonly affects postmenopausal women. A woman’s risk of developing atrophic vaginitis increases after menopause when estrogen levels drop sharply. The condition causes dryness, itching and irritation in the vaginal walls due to thinning, inflammation and loss of elasticity of the vaginal tissue. If left untreated, it can significantly impact the quality of life. However, there are several effective treatment options available to cure atrophic vaginitis.
Causes and Risk Factors
The decline in estrogen levels is the primary cause behind atrophic vaginitis. Estrogen helps maintain the proper pH balance of the vagina and keeps the vaginal tissues healthy. Some of the key factors that increase the risk include:
– Menopause: Atrophic vaginitis occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women as estrogen levels decrease at this stage.
– Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus also results in reduced estrogen levels and can trigger vaginal atrophy.
– Breast cancer treatment: Certain medications used in breast cancer therapy like aromatase inhibitors further lower estrogen and up risk.
– Genetic factors: Family history and genetics play a role in the onset and severity of atrophic vaginitis.
– Lifestyle: Obesity, smoking, poor diet and less physical activity can indirectly affect estrogen levels.
Symptoms
The common signs and symptoms of vaginal atrophy include:
– Dryness, irritation or soreness in the vaginal area
– Pain, burning or itching during sexual intercourse
– Bleeding following penetration
– Vaginal discharge changes in color, consistency or odor
– Urinary symptoms like urgency, dysuria or frequent UTIs
– Low libido and sexual dysfunction
Conservative Treatment Options
Non-hormonal or conservative treatment methods help relieve symptoms in mild to moderate cases:
– Water-based vaginal lubricants: They mitigate dryness during intimacy but provide only temporary relief.
– Vaginal moisturizers: Atrophic Vaginitis Treatment Over-the-counter moisturizers can rehydrate the vaginal tissues when used regularly. Examples include Replens, Luvena.
– Pelvic floor exercises: Kegel exercises strengthen pelvic muscles and enhance blood flow to vaginal tissues for symptom relief.
– Diet and lifestyle changes: Adequate fluid intake, omega-3 rich foods, quitting smoking etc. can indirectly improve estrogen levels and symptoms.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
For more advanced cases, hormone replacement therapy effectively treats the root cause of atrophic vaginitis by restoring estrogen levels:
– Vaginal estrogen: Available as creams, tablets or rings, local estrogen applied inside vagina repairs tissues within a few weeks. It has fewer side effects than oral HRT.
– Oral estrogen: For severe cases, oral estrogen pills like Premarin are prescribed but carry higher risk of side effects like breast cancer with long-term use.
– Compounded bioidentical hormones: Some doctors recommend customized plant-based estrogen and progesterone formulas that mimic natural hormones. More research is still needed.
Other Prescription Options
When HRT is contraindicated or not effective, following alternatives may be used:
– Vaginal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): This over-the-counter supplement applied topically shows promise based on preliminary studies. However, longer trials are required to evaluate safety and efficacy.
– Laser therapy: CO2 laser treatment helps restore vaginal elasticity and thickness but requires multiple sessions over months with limited long-term data available.
– Surgery: As a last resort, procedures like vaginoplasty using grafts can rejuvenate vaginal tissues surgically but involve longer recovery.
Atrophic vaginitis is commonly seen in menopausal women and impacts quality of life. Conservative measures provide initial symptom relief. Hormone replacement therapy, especially local estrogen therapies, are highly effective first-line treatments to target the root cause. Newer non-hormonal options also show promise but require more research. With appropriate medical guidance, most women can find effective management strategies to reverse vaginal atrophy.
Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
