With a decrease in estrogen during menopause, while breastfeeding or after the removal of the ovary in women, the walls of the vagina become dry and thin. This phenomenon causes an inflammatory process and is called "atrophic vaginitis" (colpitis).
Why does disease occur?
A low content of female sex hormones leads to slow multiplication of vaginal epithelial cells. This provokes a decrease or complete disappearance of beneficial lactobacilli, which provide the normal microflora of the female genital organs.
Why you need adequate levels of estrogen in your vagina:
- promotes epithelial proliferation;
- improves blood circulation;
- produces lactic acid;
- maintains an acidic environment, which is necessary for the growth of "good" bacteria and the reduction of pathogens.
Inadequate amount of estrogen leads to atrophic changes and serves as a favorable background for the formation of chronic forms of colpitis, such as bactericidal vaginitis. The disease is not sexually transmittedway.
Atrophic vaginitis - symptoms
The disease has the following features:
- burning sensation, dryness and itching in the vagina;
- pain after or during intercourse;
- small vaginal discharge mixed with blood;
- frequent urination;
- whitish vaginal discharge.
Atrophic vaginitis is not dangerous for women, but it brings unpleasant moments in the intimate life of partners. To determine the disease, you need to contact a gynecologist.
Atrophic vaginitis - diagnosis
The specialist during the examination will conduct the following examinations:
- examination on the gynecological chair of the cervix and vagina with a mirror;
- Pap smears to rule out other types of colpitis, such as nonspecific vaginitis. And also to exclude oncology and conduct bacterial and bacteriological examinations;
- colposcopy procedure;
- determination of the pH of the vaginal environment.
These actions will help the gynecologist to correctly diagnose and prescribe the right treatment.
Atrophic vaginitis treatment
When breastfeeding, the disease disappears over time, and with menopause it is protracted. As a treatment, the doctor may prescribe:
- hormone therapy;
- replenishing estrogen with pills, ointments, creams and suppositories;
- water-based lubricants for removingpain.
An antibiotic is not prescribed for colpitis, since the disease is not infectious. The most commonly prescribed creams, in the application of which itching and burning of the vagina disappear within seven days. The tool continues to be used to consolidate the result for another week. Atrophic vaginitis is treatable due to the content of estrogen in the preparations, which thickens the vaginal epithelium.
Atrophic vaginitis - prevention
In order not to start and prevent the disease, the following actions must be taken:
- perform gynecological examination twice a year;
- introduce fermented milk products into the diet, and exclude spicy and s alty foods;
- observe the rules of hygiene.
Atrophic vaginitis occurs in 30% of women, and the risk of developing the disease doubles after a woman reaches the age of 55-60 years. Thus, in the transitional age, the disease occurs in every second female.
