What does atrophic appearance mean?
atrophy, decrease in size of a body part, cell, organ, or other tissue. The term implies that the atrophied part was of a size normal for the individual, considering age and circumstance, prior to the diminution.
What is vulvar atrophy treatment?
Local estrogen therapy is the treatment of choice for women with vulvovaginal atrophy who lack other postmenopausal symptoms. Systemic estrogen therapy is indicated for vulvovaginal atrophy only for women with menopausal vasomotor symptoms.
What causes vulvar atrophy?
The cause of vaginal atrophy is a drop in estrogen levels. At menopause, a woman’s estrogen levels can fall by about 85%. When your body has less estrogen, your genital tissues become more fragile.
What is vaginal atrophy?
Vaginal atrophy occurs most often after menopause. For many women, vaginal atrophy not only makes intercourse painful but also leads to distressing urinary symptoms. Because the condition causes both vaginal and urinary symptoms, doctors use the term “genitourinary syndrome of menopause…
What is atrophic vulvovaginitis?
Atrophic vulvovaginitis means thinned genitaltissues in women. Often it is shortened to atrophic vaginitis, as it is vaginaltissue that is most often symptomatic.
What are the signs and symptoms of vulvar mucosa atrophy?
Clinical findings include atrophy of the labia majora and vaginal introitus. The labia minora may recede. Vulvar and vaginal mucosae may appear pale, shiny, and dry; if there is inflammation, they may appear reddened or pale with petechiae.
What age group is most likely to experience vaginal atrophy?
Women age 50 and over, in menopause, are the most likely to experience vaginal atrophy. Other factors that increase your likelihood of developing vaginal atrophy include: Lack of sexual intercourse.