During a woman’s lifetime, her estrogen hormones help to keep the vagina well lubricated and supple. However, these hormone levels typically die down as a woman transitions through menopause, which typically leads to a variety of unique symptoms and conditions, including vaginal atrophy.
Aside from menopause, other common contributors to lower estrogen levels and development of vaginal atrophy include:
As previously mentioned, women with vaginal atrophy are very likely to experience vaginal dryness, which can, in turn, result in a variety of specific symptoms such as:
- Pain during intercourse
- Shortening and/or tightening of the vaginal canal
- Pain while urinating
- Discharge from the vagina
- Spotting
- An itching or burning sensation of the genitals
- Urinary incontinence
- Increased frequency or urges to urinate
How is Vaginal Atrophy Treated?
Sadly, only a small portion of the women who experience symptoms of vaginal atrophy will ever consult their doctor about it. Many feel embarrassed by the condition and the symptoms it presents, and so they never get a chance to learn about the multiple solutions available to them from specialists like Dr. Ashley Tapscott.
If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms or have any concerns at all regarding your sexual health, we urge you to contact us as soon as possible to schedule a consultation with our sexual health specialists.
Once a case of vaginal atrophy has been diagnosed, Dr. Tapscott will begin recommending suitable treatment options based on the individual patient and their unique circumstances. The most common treatment methods used to relieve symptoms of vaginal atrophy include:
- Lotions, oils, and other water-based lubricants
- Dilators to help widen the vaginal canal
- Hormone therapy
It is often recommended for women to use one or more of these standard treatment methods in conjunction with one another for optimal results.
To find out what the best treatment is for you, schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Tapscott:
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