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What to Expect from a Vaginal Atrophy Diagnosis

Vaginal atrophy is a part of menopause that many women don’t talk about. Known medically as atrophic vaginitis, vaginal atrophy can occur at any stage in a women’s life, although it’s most common during or after menopause. The main cause of this condition is a decline in estrogen, which can in turn thin, inflame and dry out the vaginal walls.

Causes of Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal atrophy occurs when there is a decrease in estrogen production. When your body has less estrogen, the vaginal tissues will become thinner, lose elasticity, become more fragile and get drier.

Estrogen tends to drop:

• Following menopause
• During the years before menopause
• After the ovaries have been removed during surgery
• Following pelvic radiation as a cancer treatment
• After chemotherapy
• After being treated with hormone therapy for breast cancer

Risk Factors for Vaginal Atrophy

There are certain risk factors that can increase your chances of getting vaginal atrophy, including:

• Absence of Sexual Activity

  If you are not engaging in any type of sexual activity, you’re not getting the regular blood flow that comes with sexual activity. This blood flow helps your vaginal tissues to retain their elasticity.

• Never Delivering Vaginally

  Per Mayo Clinic, research suggests that women who have never given birth vaginally may be at a greater risk for vaginal atrophy than women who have delivered vaginally.

• Smoking

  Smoking affects blood circulation, which can cause the body’s tissues and the vagina to not get the oxygen they need. Additionally, smoking can reduce the amount of estrogen in the body. Women who smoke also tend to experience menopause for a longer period.

Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal atrophy can make intercourse uncomfortable and painful, and it can also cause urinary problems because the vagina is interconnected with the urinary tract. Symptoms include:

• Bleeding following intercourse
• Decrease of vaginal lubrication
• Discharge
• Incontinence
• Pain during sex
• Pain while urinating
• Recurring UTIs
• Urgency while urinating
• Vaginal burning, dryness, inflammation or itching

Vaginal atrophy can also increase your risk for vaginal infections and urinary problems. Since vaginal atrophy upsets the balance of acid in the vagina, you’re more susceptible to infection.

Diagnosing Vaginal Atrophy

If you experience the above symptoms, it’s possible that you’re dealing with vaginal atrophy. It’s also more common for people who are going through perimenopause, menopause or post-menopause to have vaginal atrophy. You also may experience it if you are breastfeeding, which can cause a decrease in estrogen.

When you visit your doctor, they will likely give you a pelvic exam. To do this, your doctor will feel the pelvic area and organs – including the external body parts as well as the vagina and cervix. The doctor will also check for bulges in the vaginal walls, which can point to pelvic organ prolapse. You will likely be given a urine test to analyze any urine symptoms, as well as an acid balance test to test the amount of acid in the vagina.

Treating Vaginal Atrophy

Common treatments for vaginal atrophy include vaginal moisturizer and water-based lubricants. The vaginal moisturizer aims to restore moisture if it’s applied two to three times a week. Moisturizer often has longer-lasting effects than lubricant. A water-based lubricant is sometimes suggested if you’re experiencing the most discomfort during sex. It’s best to opt for a lubricant that does not include glycerin, as some women experience irritation or burning with glycerin products.

Visiting Your Doctor

Per the Mayo Clinic, nearly 50% of post-menopausal women who are dealing with vaginal atrophy do not seek professional treatment. Many women are too embarrassed to talk about what they’re going through and in turn end up living with the symptoms. If you have the above symptoms or are dealing with painful sex that is not cured by using a vaginal moisturizer, you should make an appointment with your doctor.

While vaginal atrophy is a common problem, it often goes untreated or undiagnosed. Many people aren’t comfortable discussing this issue with their doctor. When you visit a professional, you’re likely to get a realistic diagnosis as well as a solution. There’s no need to live with the discomfort of vaginal atrophy.

 

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