Warning Signs of Vaginal Atrophy

If you’ve noticed changes in your vaginal health, especially if you’re a woman in menopause, you’re not alone. At least 50% of menopausal women experience a condition called vaginal atrophy, which can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms.   

At Alpenglow Gynecology in Littleton, Colorado, women’s health specialist Rickie Guida, WHNP-BC, and our care team offer different treatment options for vaginal atrophy that help restore your most sensitive tissues and restore your health. 

Here’s a look at the warning signs of vaginal atrophy and how we can help you reverse the effects of this common condition.           

Understanding the signs of vaginal atrophy

Vaginal atrophy, also called atrophic vaginitis, is a condition that develops when the walls of your vagina become thinner and start to lose lubrication. Although it can happen at any age when your body produces less estrogen, it’s most common in menopausal women over 50.  

While you can’t physically observe the thinning of your vaginal walls, vaginal atrophy isn’t a “silent” condition and comes with many warning signs, including:

• Vaginal dryness (not enough lubrication)
• Loss of vaginal tone and elasticity
• Vaginal burning and itching 
• Changes in vaginal discharge
• Vaginal laxity (looseness)
• Stress urinary incontinence
• Pain during or after sex
• Spotting or bleeding after intercourse
• Increase in yeast infections
• Skin changes to the external tissues of your vagina

Since vaginal atrophy shares symptoms with other gynecological conditions, it’s important to see Rickie at Alpenglow Gynecology for an accurate diagnosis. 

Treating vaginal atrophy

You have different options when it comes to treating vaginal atrophy. Rickie creates a personalized treatment plan based on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your quality of life. Different treatment options may include one or more of the following:

• Hormone replacement therapy 
• Over-the-counter lubricants and vaginal moisturizers 
• Non-surgical laser therapy

At Alpenglow Gynecology, we use the MonaLisa Touch laser therapy system to restore your vaginal tissue health. This minimally invasive treatment uses heat energy to trigger your body’s healing response and increase your natural collagen and elastin production, restoring your tissues.

Your treatment only takes minutes, but the effects continue for months as your body keeps producing higher levels of collagen and elastin. The energy from the MonaLisa Touch lasers offers many additional benefits, including:

• Increased lubrication
• Tighter, more toned vagina
• Improved vaginal and vulvar skin
• Reduced vaginal itching and dryness
• Increased sexual sensation
• Improved libido and pain-free sex
• Help for stress incontinence

If you have one or more signs of vaginal atrophy or want more information regarding this common condition, schedule an appointment online or over the phone with Rickie at Alpenglow Gynecology in Littleton, Colorado.