TL;DR:
- Condition: Vaginal and vulvar atrophy refers to the thinning, drying, and loss of elasticity in tissues, mainly due to reduced estrogen, common in menopause or other hormonal issues.
- Symptoms: Vaginal dryness, itching, burning, painful intercourse, frequent UTIs, urinary incontinence, and nocturia.
- Causes: Menopause, hormonal disorders, cancer treatments, stress, medications (e.g., painkillers, antidepressants), and smoking.
- Treatment:
- Drug therapies: Moisturizers, lubricants, hormone replacement therapy (creams, rings, patches), selective estrogen receptor modulators, and phytoestrogens.
- Aesthetic medicine: Laser treatments, collagen, platelet-rich plasma, and hyaluronic acid injections.
- Natural remedies: Aloe vera, herbal infusions (e.g., calendula, chamomile), phytoestrogen-rich diets, exercise, vitamins (E, D, zinc), and relaxation techniques.
- Consultation with a doctor is critical for tailored treatment.
The health problem of vaginal and vulvar atrophy affects many women, especially during menopause. Despite the fact that it is a fairly common ailment, it can still be treated as a taboo subject, leading to low public awareness of its effects on the body and possible treatments. It is worth taking a closer look at this condition, not only in terms of causes or symptoms, but also as part of providing better knowledge and health care for women.
What is vaginal and labia atrophy?
The medical term atrophy is a condition of atrophy, shrinking or weakening of a tissue or organ due to various causes. In the context of intimate organs, we can distinguish between vaginal atrophy and labia majora atrophy. The ailment is that the tissues in these areas become thinner, drier, less elastic and more susceptible to mechanical irritation due to reduced estrogen production. These hormones strongly affect genitourinary tissues, as they have numerous receptors for estrogen, and their deficiency disrupts the amount of water in the tissues and impairs blood flow to the vaginal mucous membranes or labia. In cases of vaginal atrophy, the organ is often narrowed and shortened, which consequently contributes to painful sexual intercourse.
Vaginal atrophy – symptoms
Atrophy of the mucous membrane of the vagina or labia leads to general discomfort, pain in the intimate area and reduced quality of sexual life. Symptoms can include vaginal dryness, burning, itching, dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse) and more frequent urinary tract infections, which is due to a more alkaline vaginal pH and disturbed bacterial flora. Sometimes women may also experience urinary incontinence, especially during exercise. An increased frequency of urination may be observed, which intensifies especially at night (nycturia). It is important for women with complaints of vaginal and labia atrophy to consult a doctor, who can recommend appropriate treatment and tailor it to the patient's individual needs and health conditions.
Causes of genital atrophic changes in women
The phenomenon of atrophy of the intimate area is typical especially for women going through menopause, but it can also occur in younger people, due to other causes, such as hormonal diseases, cancer treatment, use of hormonal drugs or chronic stress. Also, the use of medications, including painkillers, anti-allergic medications, and antidepressants, can affect estrogen production and lead to atrophy of vaginal and vulvar tissues. Smoking contributes to a decrease in blood flow to vaginal and vulvar tissues, resulting in a decrease in lubrication and elasticity.
Treatment of vaginal and vulvar mucosal atrophy
Treatment of vaginal and labia atrophy may include the use of topical or systemic estrogens to restore adequate tissue lubrication and elasticity. The ailment does not go away without appropriate measures, which is why self-examination of the intimate area and contacting a gynecologist when worrying symptoms are observed is so important.
Drug treatment
Depending on the severity of atrophy of the vaginal mucosa or labia, the use of moisturizers is recommended to relieve symptoms of dryness and discomfort. Special lubes are recommended for women with mild to moderate symptoms. It is also often an alternative to hormone therapy. When choosing such products, it is worth remembering that they contain the most natural composition with a physiological pH. Another form of treatment is hormone replacement therapy administered through the vaginal route, usually in the form of a vaginal cream or ring, or in the form of pills or patches. Hormone preparations are highly effective, visibly improving the condition of the epithelium of the vaginal mucosa or labia. Pharmacological treatment also uses selective estrogen receptor modulators, dehydroepiandrosterone and phytoestrogens.
Aesthetic medicine treatments versus vaginal and vulvar atrophy.
Modern aesthetic medicine offers many treatment options to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life for women with vulvar or vaginal atrophy. One modern approach is laser therapy, which improves vascularization of the vaginal mucosa, stimulates the production of new collagen and matrix in the connective tissue, and thickens the vaginal epithelium, which reduces the symptoms of the condition. Another option is to treat vulvar atrophy with collagen, plasma or hyaluronic acid. These treatments can be used to improve the hydration, elasticity and overall condition of the organ tissues due to their specific properties, such as:
- collagen – is a protein found naturally in the skin, which is responsible for its elasticity and firmness. The use of preparations containing this valuable ingredient helps to regenerate and strengthen vaginal and vulvar tissues,
- platelet-rich plasma – obtained by centrifuging the patient's blood, contains numerous growth factors and regenerative substances that support tissue repair and regeneration processes, as well as accelerate tissue healing and stimulate the production of new cells,
- Hyaluronic acid – also occurs naturally in the skin and is responsible for its hydration and elasticity. In addition, it reduces symptoms of dryness and irritation. In addition to the possibility of administering the product in the form of injections, it is also worth getting creams and gels containing hyaluronic acid in their composition.
Vaginal atrophy – natural treatment
Treatment of vaginal atrophy using natural methods can include a variety of methods that can help alleviate the symptoms of this problem. The use of natural moisturizers such as aloe vera extract is guaranteed to relieve symptoms of dryness and discomfort. Similarly, some herbs, such as calendula, chamomile and ginseng, are used as natural remedies to soothe irritation and promote tissue regeneration. Infusions can be used to rinse the intimate area or can be added to baths. Another option is to enrich the diet with phytoestrogens, plant substances that can act similarly to estrogen in the body. Regular physical activity, which improves blood circulation in the intimate area and contributes to tissue regeneration, can also help offset the symptoms of atrophy. In addition, certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, vitamin D and zinc, are beneficial for the health and elasticity of the skin and mucous membranes, including the vagina. Supplementation with the right nutrients supports natural tissue regeneration processes. Another important issue is stress, which has a negative impact on the body's hormonal balance, which can exacerbate symptoms of vaginal atrophy. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing and massages will help reduce tension and improve overall well-being. Symptoms of atrophy can vary depending on each woman's individual characteristics. The OT.CO Clinic’s specialized services offer a variety of treatment options, contributing to the physical and mental comfort of many women. It is important that aesthetic medicine clinics have an individual approach to each individual and have a variety of therapeutic methods.
Conclusion
Vaginal and vulvar atrophy is more common than many realize but highly treatable. From hormonal changes to lifestyle factors, understanding the causes and symptoms empowers better care. Treatments range from hormone therapies to innovative procedures like laser therapy and collagen-based methods, offering personalized solutions. Natural remedies, like phytoestrogens and aloe vera, complement medical options. The key is seeking help early and partnering with specialists to find what works best. No one should feel isolated by this condition—it’s treatable, manageable, and deserves open conversation and proper care.
