subject: Atrophic vaginitis [print this page] Atrophic vaginitis Atrophic vaginitis
With age, a woman's body loses its reproductive function, as it reduces estrogen - the main female hormone. Due to declining levels of estrogen, the vaginal epithelium is thin, and the phenomenon of atrophy of the vaginal walls. As a result of declining levels of estrogen, there is a reduction of lactic acid bacteria, which leads to a lower level of lactic acid and increased vaginal pH on the background of what may develop a variety of inflammatory processes.
Therefore, any abundant selection of older women should be treated as a pathology.
Atrophic vaginitis - a disease caused by estrogen deficiency in women.
Cause of the disease: age-related impaired blood flow vaginal wall. A change in vaginal microflora is a legitimate response to aging.
In connection with this fact, methods of treatment of atrophic vaginitis are different from the treatment of infectious vaginitis.
How to recognize atrophic vaginitis?
There are cases where atrophic vaginitis symptoms. But the most frequent clinical symptoms of atrophic vaginitis include:
Dryness, itching, burning sensation in the vagina.
Frequent urge to urinate.
Nonpermanent bloody vaginal discharge, prolapse of the vaginal walls.
Vaginal mucosa thinned
Severe folding of the vaginal walls.
Alopecia in the pubis and labia majora.
Also, when atrophic vaginitis observed the development of a large number of delicate capillaries on the vaginal mucosa, which causes bleeding easily occur in any contact.
Age features of atrophic vaginitis
Older women
On the background of estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women decreases the number of lactobacilli or they disappear completely. As a result of the death laktobatery, the protective properties of the vagina become weak, which facilitates penetration of the infection.
It is important to note:
Vaginal examination in older women may be difficult due to the narrowing of the vaginal opening.
To exclude a malignant process, the study may be carried out under general anesthesia.
Types of diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis
Preferably, the methods of objective diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis include: cytology, vaginal pH determination of the content, advanced colposcopic study, microbiological research.
In fact, the diagnosis is reduced to the following procedures:
Careful examination of the vagina and cervix using mirrors to eliminate the tumor.
Simple atrophic vaginitis is characterized by a thin mucosa with multiple petechiae, which bleeds on contact with the mirrors or smears.
U.S. genitals.
Sowing on the flora of the cervical canal if there is evidence.
Should I postpone treatment? What are the complications facing the running atrophic vaginitis?
For postmenopausal women, which develops and atrophic vaginitis, a characteristic is the relation of body size of the uterus and cervix 1 / 2, which is similar to the ratio in childhood, so it is very important to ensure that treatment was timely, as it all may lead to significant complications .
Cervix, uterine body atrophy.
Progressive hypoxia of the vaginal wall leads to the characteristic of small ulcers.
Is it contagious?
Atrophic vaginitis is not sexually transmitted, but is a consequence of age-related changes in the body of a woman, primarily associated with decreased estrogen levels.
Treatment of atrophic vaginitis
Hormone therapy
Hormone replacement therapy is the primary method of treatment of atrophic vaginitis. In the treatment of estrogen replenish lost due to age characteristics of the female organism.
Status of the vaginal microflora is reduced to the level characteristic of women of reproductive age.
Normalizes blood circulation in the vaginal wall.
These positive effects, allow us to consider the feasibility of hormone replacement therapy not only for therapeutic but also preventive.
Antibiotics, tablets and capsules
Antibiotics in atrophic vaginitis, unnecessarily, because this disease is not infectious component.
Ointments, suppositories, vaginal suppositories
In modern practice the treatment of atrophic vaginitis, for a full restoration and normalization of the mucosal epithelium of the blood in the vagina using drugs for local use
On average, the treatment of atrophic vaginitis lasts 2-4 weeks.
After this period, marked improvements:
Restoration of the microcirculation.
Toning of the vaginal wall.
The disappearance of the discomfort.
Prevention of atrophic vaginitis
Food
Eat more dairy products (kefir, yogurt, etc.).
Reduce the reception sharp and salty foods, as well as Moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages.
During treatment, it is useful to take a complex immunostimulating vitamins.
Clothing and personal hygiene
Underwear should be changed daily. Underwear should be made of cotton fabric.
It is recommended to take a shower in the morning and evening.
As preventive measures is recommended:
Cleaning the external genitalia - 3 times a day with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, infusion of sage or other herbs.
The duration of this procedure should not be more than 3-4 days, as this may lead to slower recovery of the normal vaginal microflora.