Vaginal Atrophy: A Challenge of Menopause

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If you are a postmenopausal woman who is experiencing urinary and sexual challenges, you may be suffering from vaginal atrophy. This is a condition that has many different side-effects (as will be discussed later). This condition is caused by an insufficient amount of estrogen in your body, as is common following menopause. Vaginal atrophy affects women in different ways, but there are a few tell-tale signs. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. 

Vaginal Discomfort

Vaginal discomfort can come in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: vaginal burning and dryness, as well as recurrent abnormal discharge. Most often vaginal discomfort is associated with sexual problems, though it can be noticed on its own. When the estrogen levels in your body drop, the vagina is affected. With high levels of estrogen, the vagina is very elastic and has many folds, allowing it to stretch. With low levels of estrogen, vaginal walls become thin and dry. Vaginal discomfort can be treated in several different ways. 

Urinary Problems

Vaginal atrophy affects more than just the vagina. Many women experience urinary challenges including frequent urinary tract infections, urinary burning, and sometimes even incontinence. Estrogen plays a role in the urinary system and without it the bladder and urethra's linings can actually thin out, causing problems. Since urinary problems are less awkward to talk about, sometimes women leave out the vaginal side of things and are misdiagnosed. 

Sexual Problems

With the thinning of the vagina, sexual intercourse can become a challenge. Intercourse can often result in pain and bleeding for a woman with vaginal atrophy. This is usually caused by the thin, inelastic walls of the vagina tearing. In addition, vaginal atrophy greatly decreases a woman's natural lubricant which increases the chances of injury. Sexual intercourse can become extremely challenging for women who experience vaginal atrophy, so much so that they usually avoid it. Interestingly, the more sexual activity you have, the healthier your vagina will be due to the increased amount of blood flow. Sexual activity is actually a treatment for vaginal atrophy when it can be done without injury. 

In conclusion, talk to your doctor if you are experiencing vaginal or urinary symptoms. Many women who have these symptoms simply choose to live with it, since they are too embarrassed to discuss their condition with a physician. After all, you have been through in your life, you deserve to be healthy. Talk to your doctor about vaginal atrophy today. 

15 January 2021