2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43
Causes and symptoms of vaginal muscle atrophy
Definition of disease
Atrophy of the vaginal muscles is characterized by slow thinning and, often, inflammation of the vaginal walls as a result of a decrease in the production of sex hormones in a woman's body - estrogens. Basically, the disease develops in the climacteric period, as a side effect of special treatment for cancer of the female reproductive system.
Causes of vaginal muscle atrophy
During and after menopause, the hormonal level in the body decreases in women, which often leads to disturbances in the cellular metabolism of the vaginal epithelium, mucus secretion disappears, the neutral pH level of the vagina shifts to the acidic side, and the bacterial flora changes. This is the main reason for the gradual reduction in the thickness of the genital epithelial tissues, which become much thinner, become more susceptible to various external irritations and injuries.
In addition to menopause, predisposing factors for the development of atrophy of the muscles of the vagina may be: radiation treatment or chemotherapy for cancer of the female reproductive system, surgical menopause with radical removal of the ovaries, hormone therapy for malignant neoplasm of the breast, breastfeeding. Also, the development of atrophy of the muscles of the vagina is promoted by smoking and the absence of labor through the natural birth canal.
Changes in the neutral balance of the vaginal microflora, insufficient moisture, impaired blood flow to the vaginal tissues lead to functional and physiological changes in all layers of the vaginal walls.
Symptoms of vaginal muscle atrophy
Most often, with the development of atrophy of the muscles of the vagina, patients complain of a burning sensation and dryness, unpleasant sensations in the vagina, sometimes there is a discharge of a watery character. Most women talk about discomfort during intercourse, pain, the appearance of minor bleeding, due to which, as a rule, their sexual activity decreases, desire disappears.
The manifestation of the first symptoms of atrophy associated with the onset of menopause occurs in some cases long before its onset. In this case, changes in the vagina may not be felt for some time after the onset of menopause. Regular and fulfilling sex life keeps the vaginal walls healthy.
Ascending urological infections are often associated with atrophy of the vaginal muscles due to the proximity and interconnection of organs. In this case, there is a frequent urge to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, and sometimes urinary incontinence. As atrophic phenomena develop, the walls of the vagina are severely damaged, the likelihood of microtrauma or cracks increases. As a result of friction or damage to the walls, it is possible to attach various vaginal infections: fungal or bacterial.
Diagnosis of vaginal muscle atrophy
Gynecologists note that many women suffering from atrophy of the vaginal muscles prefer not to seek help because of banal modesty or even try not to notice the symptoms that appear, which in many cases leads to complications of the disease.
As one of the diagnostic methods, a study of the pelvic organs is used, which allows you to visually determine the state of the visible genital organs, the vagina and the cervix. A smear is necessarily taken for cytological examination of the cells of the cervix. A general analysis of urine allows you to identify the presence of concomitant diseases from the urinary system. In addition, the gynecologist conducts a thorough history taking to find out the causes of the disease and assess the hormonal status.
Treatment of vaginal muscle atrophy
If the symptoms of vaginal muscle atrophy do not appear in any way, then special treatment may not be needed. With mild symptoms, it is enough to use moisturizing lubricants or lubricants, but always on the recommendation of a specialist doctor.
With pronounced symptoms of atrophy of the vaginal muscles, local hormonal therapy has a good effect, that is, the use of estrogens vaginally. Significant improvements after this treatment are seen within the first few weeks. If the manifestations of atrophy are severe, then it may take much longer to eliminate the symptoms. When various infections join or complications develop, appropriate symptomatic therapy is carried out as prescribed by a doctor.
After special hormonal treatment for cancer of the female reproductive system, breast, or removal of both ovaries, estrogen therapy, whether local or general, is not recommended, as some tumors may be hormone-sensitive.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
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