Many of the fair sex hear from their gynecologist the diagnosis: atrophic colpitis. Symptoms and treatment in women - what you need to know about it? Can serious complications develop?
Each of these issues requires a detailed explanation so that a woman can properly treat and avoid serious diseases of the reproductive system.
What is atrophic colpitis?
In medicine, it can have several names: senile, postmenopausal vaginitis is an inflammatory process on the vaginal mucosa. As medical statistics show, during menopause, every second woman hears this disappointing diagnosis from a doctor. Every sixth woman of childbearing age knows what atrophic colpitis is, symptoms and treatment in women.
Causes for the development of colpitis
Atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women, the causes of the disease are directly dependent on changes in hormonal levels. In general, women begin to feel changes 3-6 years after menopause. Moreover, such manifestations are characteristic of both natural and artificial menopause. Women may receive this diagnosis at childbearing age if they have undergone ovarian surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Since the balance in the production of female hormones - estrogen - is lost in the body, such changes can begin:
- the natural process of growth of the vaginal epithelium is disrupted, over time it will be minimized;
- due to the lack of a full-fledged renewal, the mucosa is depleted;
- the vaginal glands begin to work intermittently, which provokes dryness;
- lactobacilli, which maintain a normal pH of the vagina, becomes less, which leads to a violation of the microflora;
- the walls of the mucosa become vulnerable, dryness appears;
- pathogenic microflora begins to actively multiply, so any bacteria from the outside easily penetrate and adapt.
Infection attachment mechanism
Given that the normal function of the mucosa is disturbed in a woman, natural protection is minimized, bacteria can join at the slightest microtrauma. Many women mistakenly think that if they are no longer sexually active, then they cannot get an infection or microtrauma. Mucosal disorders can occur during a medical examination, manipulation.
Gynecologists claim thatthe diagnosis of "atrophic colpitis" (symptoms and treatment in women will be described below) can be made not only because of injuries, but also if basic hygiene rules are not followed. Wearing synthetic underwear, ignoring the morning and evening toilet is the most common reason that leads to the development of pathological processes in women in old age.
What symptoms indicate the development of the disease?
Atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women, the development of pathogenic microflora can be determined independently in the early stages. It is enough to pay attention to the signals that the body gives.
Among the most striking manifestations, doctors name the following:
- Pain. It manifests itself constantly, during calmness and rest, disturbs when urinating.
- Vaginal discharge. They have a specific smell, white color, blood clots can be observed.
- Severe itching in the vulva.
- Unpleasant sensations in the vulva during hygiene procedures.
- Pain, discomfort during intercourse.
- Involuntary discharge of urine during minor physical exertion.
- Frequent urge to urinate, which is provoked by atrophy of the walls of the bladder.
- During a gynecological examination, the doctor always sees an inflamed, red vaginal mucosa.
- Pubic baldness, indicating a hormonal imbalance.
Diagnosis of the disease in women
In order not to face the question of what is atrophic colpitis,symptoms and treatment in women, during menopause, it is necessary to undergo a gynecological examination regularly. Such observation should be systematic, at least twice a year.
You can diagnose the development of inflammatory processes using the following methods:
- Gynecological speculum. It will allow the doctor to see the inflammatory processes on the mucous membrane, the presence of pathogenic microflora, specific secretions, microcracks.
- Microscopic smear examination. Here the doctor will be able to establish the number of vaginal sticks, the level of leukocytes, the presence of pathogenic microflora.
- Performing a cytological analysis.
- Vaginal pH balance study.
- Detailed colposcopy. This analysis will determine the pH level and the atrophic changes that the mucosa has undergone.
Some gynecologists additionally prescribe tests for sexually transmitted diseases, as some of the symptoms of the diseases are similar.
What treatment options are offered by modern medicine
If "atrophic colpitis" is diagnosed, symptoms - and treatment in women (drugs) and restorative procedures will be aimed at preventing relapse.
Modern medicine can offer two treatment options: hormonal and non-hormonal.
Hormone Therapy
The basis of such treatment is local and substitutionhormone therapy. In courses of drug therapy, suppositories or topical ointments are used. They are inserted into the vagina for 14 days.
In parallel, tablets or patches are used for systemic treatment. Such an impact should be carried out within 5-6 years. Many gynecologists practice the use of phytoestrogens. The natural origin of such funds helps to quickly and efficiently restore the hormonal background, reduce the unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
Etiotropic therapy is mandatory. She does not fight the symptoms, but the causes of the disease. In case of problems with urination, uroseptics, antibiotics may be recommended.
If atrophic colpitis, causes, symptoms and treatment in women are associated with cancer, chronic pathological changes in the cardiovascular system, then only anti-inflammatory therapy can be recommended. These are herbal baths, douching, which help relieve inflammation and restore the natural microflora of the vagina.
Non-hormonal therapy
Atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women, features of the course, the presence of chronic diseases have forced doctors around the world to look for options for non-hormonal therapy.
To date, it has been proven that hormone therapy has a lot of contraindications, it can cause the development of breast cancer or the formation of a tumor in the reproductive organs.
Among non-hormonalCalendula-based suppositories are especially popular. The extract of this plant contains salicylic and pentadecylic acids. The use of these suppositories has a bactericidal, wound healing, anti-inflammatory effect. Calendula also helps to calm the central nervous system, relieves high blood pressure.
How to help yourself with traditional medicine?
Atrophic colpitis cannot be treated with traditional medicine, but it is possible to use it as an additional remedy to relieve unpleasant symptoms. Gynecologists focus women's attention on the fact that the use of folk methods is possible only after consultation with the attending physician. Many of the components can increase or decrease the effect of medications.
Among the most popular and effective prescriptions, doctors distinguish the following:
- Decoction of celandine. A decoction is prepared from a small amount of herbs. It is necessary to take such a remedy with extreme caution, since the herb can cause severe poisoning. Reception regimens consist of drops of decoction, you need to start one drop 3 times a day, gradually increasing the dose by one drop every day.
- Decoction of sweet clover herbs, licorice root, rose hips, mint, sage (1 tbsp. Spoon) is poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for an hour and a half. You need to take a strained broth 3 times a day, 50 ml each.
- If a woman is worried about severe itching, burning, then you can take baths with a decoction of Rhodiola every daypink. If there are no allergic reactions, then juniper can be added to the composition.
- Aloe juice perfectly relieves inflammation. It can be inserted into the vagina using a gauze pad soaked in water. The procedure should be performed only in the absence of allergic reactions to aloe.
- Perfectly helps with artificial menopause decoction of plantain leaves in the form of local baths. The broth is filtered and in the form of heat injected inside.
- Calendula tincture can be used for everyday douching at any age and for various diseases. The unique anti-inflammatory properties of this plant help restore the normal microflora of the mucosa, eliminate pathogenic bacteria.
Prevention is the key to he alth and longevity
Preventive measures are the main way to exclude atrophic colpitis. Symptoms and treatment in women are described in the article.
In addition, doctors have made recommendations that every woman should follow:
- Comfortable and natural underwear. It should not only be beautiful, but fulfill its main purpose - to protect the genitals from direct penetration of pathogenic microflora, to warm in cold weather.
- Daily hygiene morning and evening.
- Do not have casual sex to avoid sexually transmitted diseases or the addition of pathogenic microflora.
- During menopause, atrophic colpitis, symptoms andtreatment in women can be determined by a gynecologist. By following his recommendations, taking natural preparations, you can always reduce the manifestations of menopause.
- Get regular hormonal tests starting at age 35. Many women are unaware that their hormone levels begin to rise or fall rapidly until he alth problems begin. It is always possible to start hormone therapy on time and avoid such diseases.
The disease is easier to prevent
Atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women, mechanisms of development, complications, prevention - these are the basic concepts that everyone should know. Unfortunately, age-related changes, hormonal changes await every woman. Therefore, awareness, attention to symptoms that indicate he alth problems will become the main weapon in the fight against many diseases at an early stage.
