Atrophic colpitis: symptoms and treatment in women, features of the disease

Many representatives of the fair sex hear from their gynecologist the diagnosis: atrophic colpitis. Symptoms and treatment for women - what do you need to know about this? Can serious complications develop?

Each of these questions requires a detailed explanation so that a woman can properly treat and avoid serious diseases of the reproductive system.

What is atrophic colpitis?

In medicine, it can have several names: senile, postmenopausal vaginitis is an inflammatory process on the mucous membrane of the vagina. As medical statistics show, during the menopause every second woman hears from the doctor this disappointing diagnosis. Every sixth child of childbearing age knows what is atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women.

Causes of colpitis

Atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women, the causes of the disease directly depend on changes in the hormonal background. Most women begin to feel the changes 3-6 years after the onset of menopause. And such manifestations are typical for both natural and artificial menopause. Women can get such a diagnosis at their childbearing age if they underwent ovarian surgery, underwent chemo- or radiation therapy.

Since the body is losing balance in the development of female hormones - estrogens, such changes can begin:

• The natural process of growth of the epithelium of the vagina is broken, it will be reduced to a minimum with time;
• Due to lack of full-fledged renovation, the mucosa is depleted;
• Begin to intermittently work the vaginal glands, which provokes dryness;
• Lactobacilli, which maintain a normal pH of the vagina, becomes less, which leads to a violation of microflora;
• The walls of the mucosa become vulnerable, dryness appears;
• The pathogenic microflora begins to multiply actively, so any bacteria from outside can easily penetrate and adapt.

Mechanism of infection

Given that a woman's normal mucosal function is disrupted, natural protection is minimized, bacteria can be attached at the slightest microtrauma. Many women mistakenly think that if they no longer live sexually, then they can not get an infection or microtrauma. Mucosal disorders can occur during medical examination, manipulation.

Gynecologists assert that the diagnosis of "atrophic colpitis" (symptoms and treatment in women will be described further) can be put not only because of injuries, but also when the elementary rules of hygiene are not observed. Wearing synthetic underwear, ignoring the morning and evening toilet is the most common reason that leads to the development of pathological processes in women in old age.

What symptoms indicate the development of the disease?

Atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women, the development of pathogenic microflora can be determined independently at early stages. It is enough to pay attention to the signals that the body gives.

Among the most vivid manifestations doctors call the following:

• Pain. It manifests itself constantly, during calm and rest, disturbs with urination.
• Discharge from the vagina. They have a specific odor, white color, blood clots can be observed.
• Severe itching in the area of the external genitalia.
• Unpleasant sensations in the vulva during hygienic procedures.
• Pain, discomfort during intercourse.
• Involuntary discharge of urine with minor physical exertion.
• Frequent urge to urinate, which is provoked by atrophy of the walls of the bladder.
• With a gynecological examination, the doctor always sees the inflamed, red vaginal mucosa.
• Baldness of the pubis, which indicates a violation of the hormonal background.

Diagnosis of the disease in women

In order not to face the question of what is atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women, during the menopause it is necessary to regularly undergo a gynecological examination. Such an observation should be systematic, at least twice a year.

Diagnosis of the development of inflammatory processes can be done with the help of such methods:

• Gynecological mirror. It will allow the doctor to see the inflammatory processes on the mucosa, the presence of pathogenic microflora, specific secretions, microcracks.
• Investigation of a smear under a microscope. Here the doctor can determine the number of vaginal sticks, the level of leukocytes, the presence of pathogenic microflora.
• Carrying out the cytological analysis.
• Study of pH balance in the vagina.
• Detailed colposcopy. This analysis will establish the pH level and atrophic changes to which the mucosa has undergone.

Some gynecologists additionally prescribe tests for sexually transmitted diseases, as some symptoms in diseases are similar.

What treatment options does modern medicine offer?

If the diagnosis is "atrophic colpitis," the symptoms - and treatment for women (drugs), and rehabilitation procedures will be aimed at preventing relapse.

Modern medicine can offer two treatment options: hormonal and non-hormonal.

Hormonal therapy

The basis of such treatment is local and hormone replacement therapy. In the course of drug therapy, suppositories or topical ointments are used. They are inserted into the vagina for 14 days.

In parallel, pills or patches for systemic treatment are used. Such an impact should be carried out within 5-6 years. Many gynecologists practice the use of phytoestrogens. The natural origin of such products helps to restore the hormonal background faster and more efficiently, to reduce unpleasant symptoms of the disease.

Necessarily appointed etiotropic therapy. It fights not with symptoms, but with the causes of the disease. In the case of problems with urination, uroseptics, antibiotics may be recommended.

If atrophic colpitis, causes, symptoms and treatment in women are associated with cancer, chronic pathological changes in the cardiovascular system, then only anti-inflammatory therapy can be recommended. These are vegetable baths, syringings, which help to remove inflammation and restore the natural microflora of the vagina.

Non-hormonal therapy

Atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women, peculiarities of the course, the presence of chronic diseases made doctors around the world look for options for non-hormonal therapy.

To date, it has been proved that hormonal therapy has a lot of contraindications, it can cause the development of breast cancer or the formation of a tumor in the reproductive organs.

Among non-hormonal drugs, candles based on calendula are especially popular. The extract of this plant contains salicylic and pentadecyl acids. The use of these candles has a bactericidal, wound healing, anti-inflammatory effect. Calendula also helps to soothe the central nervous system, relieves high blood pressure.

How can I help myself with traditional medicine?

Atrophic colpitis can not be treated with folk medicine, but it is possible to use it as an additional means to relieve unpleasant symptoms. Gynecologists emphasize women's attention to the fact that the use of folk methods is possible only after consultation with the attending physician. Many of the components can enhance or reduce the effects of medication.

Among the most popular and effective prescriptions, doctors singled out the following:

• Broth chistel. From a small amount of grass, prepare a decoction. Take this remedy with extreme caution, since the herb can cause severe poisoning. Schemes of reception consist of drops of broth, you need to start one drop three times a day, gradually increasing the dose by one drop every day.
• Decoction of herbs clover, licorice root, hips, mint, sage (1 tablespoon) pour a glass of boiling water and insist for one and a half hours. Take a strained broth 3 times a day for 50 ml.
• If a woman is worried about severe itching, burning, you can take a bath every day with a decoction of rhodiola rosea. If there are no allergic reactions, then you can add juniper to the composition.
• Perfectly removes the inflammation of aloe juice. You can enter it into the vagina with a gauze pad moistened in water. The procedure should be performed only in the absence of allergic reactions to aloe.
• Perfectly helps with artificial menopause, a decoction of the leaves of plantain in the form of local trays. Decoction is filtered and in a warm form injected inside.
• Tincture of calendula can be used for everyday douching at any age and with various diseases. Unique anti-inflammatory properties of this plant help restore normal microflora of the mucosa, eliminate pathogenic bacteria.

Prevention - a pledge of health and longevity

Preventive measures are the main way that will exclude atrophic colpitis. Symptoms and treatment in women are described in the article.

In addition, the doctors made recommendations that every woman should follow:

1. Comfortable and natural underwear. It should be not only beautiful, but to fulfill its main purpose - to protect the genitals from direct penetration of pathogenic microflora, to warm in cold weather.
2. Daily hygiene procedures in the morning and in the evening.
3. Do not engage in casual sex in order to avoid sexually transmitted diseases or the attachment of pathogenic microflora.
4. During the menopause, atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women will be able to identify a gynecologist. Carrying out his recommendations, taking natural preparations, you can always reduce the manifestations of menopause.
5. Undergo regular studies of the hormonal background, starting at 35 years old. Many women and do not suspect that the amount of their hormones begins to grow rapidly or fall, until the health problems begin. There is always the opportunity to start hormonal therapy on time and avoid such diseases.

Disease is easier to prevent

Atrophic colpitis, symptoms and treatment in women, mechanisms of development, complications, prevention - these are the basic concepts that should be owned by all. Unfortunately, age changes, hormonal changes are waiting for every woman. Therefore, awareness, careful attention to the symptoms that indicate health problems, will become the main weapon in the fight against many diseases at an early stage.