Having atrophic vaginitis causes many women to experience vaginal dryness. This dryness can lead to all kinds of problems including making intercourse very painful. Because sex can become so painful, many women then find that they don't have interest anymore. This can go on for many years until a woman has virtually no intimate sex life.
Because this decline in estrogen can also cause issues such as yeast infections and urinary tract infections, a woman finds that she doesn't want to participate in any kind of sexual activity that will cause pain or embarrassment.
Some of the common symptoms associated with atrophic vaginitis:
- vaginal burning
- discomfort with intercourse
- urinary incontinence
- vaginal dryness
- burning when urinating
- light bleeding after sex
- a shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal
- urgency to urinate
Many experts believe that about half of postmenopausal women experience atrophic vaginitis, but few of them actually seek treatment. They seem to resign themselves to the fact that the symptoms are just a part of getting older because they are too embarrassed to speak with your doctor about the problem.
It is very important for women to understand that they should make an appointment with their doctor any time intercourse is painful when it is not able to be resolved by using over-the-counter lubricants.
Of course, if the woman's experiencing other issues such as bleeding, soreness, discharge or burning, she should seek the attention of her doctor anyway.
Menopause is not the only time that a woman can experience atrophic vaginitis. She can also have problems during the years leading up to menopause, commonly called perimenopause. A woman can additionally have problems during breast-feeding, after chemotherapy, after pelvic radiation or even after the removal of the ovaries. Anytime a woman's hormones are shifted, vaginal dryness can occur.
It is important to note that atrophic vaginitis does have a couple of risk factors associated with it including smoking. Because cigarette smoking impairs the circulation of blood, this can deprive the vagina and other tissues of the oxygen they need.
By having this decreased blood flow, the vagina can atrophy. Smoking also lowers the effects of natural estrogens in the body. Women who smoke can go through earlier menopause because they are not as responsive to estrogen therapy in pill form.
Atrophic vaginitis can also be associated with women who did not give birth vaginally. Experts have noticed that women who never give birth vaginally seem to be more prone to vaginal atrophy than women who have had vaginal deliveries in the past.
Women who experience vaginal dryness or atrophic vaginitis should also know that their risk of vaginal infection increases. This is another important reason why they should have the condition treated appropriately as there is no need to suffer with a long-term.
No comments:
Post a Comment