Vulvar Atrophy Natural Treatment

Vaginal atrophy is a term used to describe the state of inflammation, dryness, and thinning of the vaginal wall. This situation can cause problems in the vagina or urinary tract. Other terms used to describe this condition are vulvovaginal atrophy, urogenital atrophy, atrophic vaginitis.

It is estimated, approximately 10-40 percent of post-menopausal women experience symptoms of vaginal atrophy. However, only about 20-25 percent of those who seek medical help. Various reasons make women ashamed to seek help for this condition, including shame, feeling culturally taboo, fear of no treatment, and the concern of discussing intimate matters with medical personnel.

Causes of Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal atrophy arises due to a decrease in the hormone estrogen, which causes the vagina to become drier, thinner, less elastic and brittle. Various factors that can cause a decrease in the hormone estrogen are:

• Approaching and after menopause
• Right after giving birth and breastfeeding
• Consumption of certain drugs including certain contraceptives, for example Tamoxifen, Danazol, Medroxyprogesterone, and so on
• After surgery that takes both ovaries
• Radiation therapy for ovarian cancer or uterine cancer
• Side effects of breast cancer treatment
• Immune disorders, for example in diabetes or Sjogren's syndrome
• Smoke
• Women who have never given birth
• Stop having sex

Diagnosis of Vaginal Atrophy

To determine the diagnosis of atrial virus vangina it is necessary to do a complete evaluation, which is carried out by:

Detailed medical history or interview: history of illness, possible causes, perceived signs and symptoms.
Physical examination: the vagina appears shorter and narrower, is dry on the inside surface of the vagina, redness and swelling on the inner surface of the vagina, lack of elasticity in the skin around the vulva, the vaginal epithelium appears pale and shiny smooth, pubic hair appears sparse, pelvic organ prolapseI, and etc.
Investigations: checking hormone levels, Pap smears, vaginal pH examinations, and so on.

Symptoms of Vaginal Atrophy

Various complaints that can be felt by women with vaginal atrophy, including:

• Dry, itchy, or burning sensation in the genitals
• Dyspareunia (pain during intercourse), lack of libido, lack of lubrication during intercourse
• Spots after having sex or spotting or spotting outside the menstrual schedule
• Itching of the vulva
• Abnormal discharge comes out, such as a yellowish liquid that smells or leucorrhea accompanied by a burning sensation
• Dysuria (pain when urinating)
• Hematuria (urination accompanied by bleeding)
• Frequent urination
• Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
• Urinary incontinence

It is recommended that you carry out further consultations with your doctor, especially if the following symptoms occur:

• Symptoms are felt severe and interfere with daily life
• Pain is felt during intercourse, and does not improve with the use of lubricants
• There is bleeding, burning, or abnormal discharge from the vagina
• Symptoms such as night sweats or hot flushes
• Treatment of Vaginal Atrophy
• Treatment of vaginal atrophy aims to relieve disruptive symptoms, restore or minimize physiological changes that have occurred, and improve the quality of life of patients.

Several treatment methods can be considered, including:

• Quit smoking
• Stay sexually active (have sex)
• Avoid using products (soap, powder, deodorants, etc.) with deodorizers
• Use lotion, oil, and lubricants to moisturize the vagina and reduce symptoms due to vaginal dryness
• The use of dilators, special devices of various sizes that are inserted in the vagina before intercourse gradually from small to large sizes. Serves to widen the vagina gradually according to penis size, thus avoiding pain during intercourse
• Hormonal therapy, consisting of:

1. Vaginal estrogen therapy (local), can be in the form of creams, rings, vaginal pills. This therapy only treats symptoms related to the vagina and is not absorbed throughout the body
2. Systemic hormonal therapy (also known as hormone replacement therapy), generally with the consumption of the hormone estrogen which will have an effect throughout the body
3. Ospemifene, an oral non-estrogen drug

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