Every woman deserves to fully enjoy sexual experiences, but over time and with age, factors that decrease that sensation appear, and in most cases, they are caused as a consequence of vaginal atrophy. However, one has to keep in mind that with the diagnosis of this condition, care and treatment to reverse it are included.
Vaginal atrophy or atrophic vaginitis is the condition that causes women to experience dryness and inflammation in the vagina, because of a reduction of the vaginal walls and decrease of lubrication.
Like Lola Perez Jaraiz, gynecologist of the Quiron Hospital of San Jose in Spain, explains: “the main cause of the condition is related to the decrease of the production of estrogens in post-menopausal women, affecting 40% of them”, but it can also happen in women that gave birth, although these cases are rarer.
Another risk group for this condition is represented by women who smoke, because tobacco also produces an increase of the estrogenic metabolism.
Women who suffer from vaginal atrophy experience pain during sexual relationships, and in many cases this is the reason why they go to the doctor. Other symptoms related to this condition are: inflammation and burning sensation, hot sensation while urinating, presence of white secretions, irritation by dryness of the vaginal walls, increase of vaginal infections, bleeding after coitus.
There are two treatment options for vaginal atrophy: hormone therapy and the application of vaginal creams. Both cases can complement each other; patients that do not want to undergo hormonal therapy can use just creams.
Hormonal therapy consists in the application of different compounds that in normal conditions should be produced by the ovaries.
Estrone: a medication that stimulates the proliferation of uterine mucous membrane.
Estradiol: represents 90% of the estrogen that the ovaries of a woman produce. The application of estradiol in the treatment of vaginal atrophy must be absolutely handled by a specialist, because excessive doses can stimulate a precancerous zone.
Estriol: Although it is not as potent as estradiol, many specialists usually recommend it because it lacks secondary effects. The main action of Estriol is on the skin of the erogenous zones of women, and generally solve 80% of vaginal atrophy.
Choosing any of these hormones depends on the individual study that the specialist realizes in each case. But generally, this treatment is not recommended for women who have suffered from cancer, because there is a risk that the disease may occur again.
On the other hand, the use of hydrating creams is the most accessible alternative and in the case of sexually active woman, these can be complemented with the use of lubrication during sexual activity. This treatment must be taken at least twice per week.
Like all conditions, vaginal atrophy can display small or severe symptoms, depending on how much time has passed between the detection and the medical check. That’s why it is important to not underestimate the alerts of the body on this important feminine zone.
ALFA