Atrophic vaginitis

Atrophic vaginitis
Atrophic vaginitis
Classification and external resources
[1]

ICD-10

N95.2

ICD-9

627.3

DiseasesDB

32516

MedlinePlus

000892

MeSH

D059268

[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

Atrophic vaginitis (also known as vaginal atrophy or urogenital atrophy) is an inflammation of the vagina (and
the outer urinary tract) due to the thinning and shrinking of the tissues, as well as decreased lubrication. These
symptoms are due to a lack of the reproductive hormone estrogen.
The most common cause of vaginal atrophy is the decrease in estrogen which happens naturally during
perimenopause, and increasingly so in post-menopause. However this condition can sometimes be caused by other
circumstances.
The symptoms can include vaginal soreness and itching, as well as painful intercourse, and bleeding after sexual
intercourse. The shrinkage of the tissues can be extreme enough to make intercourse impossible.

Symptoms and signs

Genital symptoms include dryness, itching, burning, soreness, pressure, white discharge, malodorous discharge due
to infection, painful sexual intercourse, bleeding after intercourse. In addition, sores and cracks may occur
spontaneously. Atrophic vaginitis is a cause of Postmenopausal bleeding (PMB).
Urinary symptoms include painful urination, blood in the urine, increased frequency of urination, incontinence, and
increased likelihood and occurrence of infections.

Incidence and causes

A large number of postmenopausal women (who are not using topical estrogen) have at least some degree of vaginal
atrophy; however, many women do not actively ask that medical attention be paid to this, possibly because it is
naturally caused, or because of the taboo that still exists surrounding aging and sexuality.[citation needed]
The cause of vaginal atrophy is usually the normal decrease in estrogen as a result of menopause. Other causes of
decreased estrogen levels are decreased ovarian functioning due to radiation therapy or chemotherapy, immune
disorder, removal of the ovaries, after pregnancy, during lactation, idiopathic, and because of the effects of various
medications: (Tamoxifen (Nolvadex), Danazol (Danocrine), Medroxyprogesterone (Provera), Leuprolide (Lupron),
Nafarelin (Synarel)).

Atrophic vaginitis

Prognosis
Proper treatment will usually relieve the symptoms, at least to some extent.

Prevention
Use of vaginally administered estrogens (including vaginal tablets or cream) before the condition becomes severe is
appropriate. Regular sexual activity may be helpful. A water soluble vaginal lubricant can be helpful in mild cases.
Increasingly, vaginally administered estrogens based on low dose of estriol are used to stimulate the vaginal
epithelium proliferation.

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]

http:/ / apps. who. int/ classifications/ icd10/ browse/ 2010/ en#/ N95. 2
http:/ / www. icd9data. com/ getICD9Code. ashx?icd9=627. 3
http:/ / www. diseasesdatabase. com/ ddb32516. htm
http:/ / www. nlm. nih. gov/ medlineplus/ ency/ article/ 000892. htm
http:/ / www. nlm. nih. gov/ cgi/ mesh/ 2012/ MB_cgi?field=uid& term=D059268

Bachmann GA, Nevadunsky NS (2000). "Diagnosis and treatment of atrophic vaginitis" (http://www.aafp.org/
afp/20000515/3090.html). Am Fam Physician 61 (10): 30906. PMID 10839558 (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.
gov/pubmed/10839558).
Feiks A et al. (1991). "The treatment of atrophic colpitis is a reduction of the topical dosis of estrogens
possible?". Gynkologisch-geburtshilfliche Rundschau 31 (2): 268271.
"Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic vaginitis)" (http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSAOL002/9339/9504.
html). Aetna InteliHealth.

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Atrophic vaginitis Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=591551323 Contributors: AnjaManix, Arcadian, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, Cje, Diptanshu.D, Gardar Rurak, Giuns,
Guthrie, Invertzoo, InvictaHOG, Jeremy68, Jidanni, Joshdare, Lyrl, Mikael Hggstrm, Mikaey, Pigman, RDBrown, Rjwilmsi, Scottalter, SeanMon, Skysmith, Thedeadlynightshade, Wayward,
Who123, Xezbeth, 15 anonymous edits

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