Urogenital atrophy is a condition which most often occurs during and after the menopause. It is caused by a lack of oestrogen and leads to the thinning and loss of elasticity and reduction in mucus producing glands which affect the vagina, vulva, urethra and bladder.
What are urogenital symptoms?
Urogenital Symptoms of Menopause: Atrophic Vaginitis and Atrophic Urethritis
- Atrophic Vaginitis. Physiological and structural changes that occur within the vulvovaginal mucosa lead to the condition commonly called AV ( Table 1). ...
- Atrophic Urethritis and Urinary Incontinence. ...
- Management: Vaginal Lubricants, Moisturizers, and Hormones. ...
- Prevention. ...
- Sexuality. ...
- Conclusion. ...
What is vulvovaginal atrophy?
Intrarosa is now available in this market as the first and only locally acting DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) treatment indicated for postmenopausal women experiencing moderate to severe symptoms associated with vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). 1 Intrarosa is ...
What is the function of the urogenital system?
urogenital system, also called genitourinary system, in vertebrates, the organs concerned with reproduction and urinary excretion. Although their functions are unrelated, the structures involved in excretion and reproduction are morphologically associated and often use common ducts.
What is genital atrophy?
Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) is thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls that may occur when your body has less estrogen. Vaginal atrophy occurs most often after menopause. For many women, vaginal atrophy not only makes intercourse painful but also leads to distressing urinary symptoms.
What are urogenital symptoms?
Common signs of a urogenital disorder can include:Frequent urinary tract infections (UTI)Pain in the pelvic or groin area.Bladder incontinence – unable to control bladder, leaks, constant urge to urinate.Pain or discomfort while urinating.Blood in urine.Bad or strong smelling urine.Reduced urine output.More items...
How is urogenital atrophy treated?
TreatmentVaginal moisturizers. Try a vaginal moisturizer (K-Y Liquibeads, Replens, Sliquid, others) to restore some moisture to your vaginal area. ... Water-based lubricants. These lubricants (Astroglide, K-Y Jelly, Sliquid, others) are applied just before sexual activity and can reduce discomfort during intercourse.
Can urogenital atrophy reversed?
Currently, estrogen replacement is the best way to reverse vaginal atrophy and GSM. Not every woman will be able to use this treatment option, however. Concerns about the long-term effects of increased estrogen sometimes discourage doctors from prescribing it.
How common is urogenital atrophy?
How common is Urogenital Atrophy? Vaginal dryness occurs in about 1 in 4 women leading up to the menopause, it becomes more common after the menopause when about 1 in 2 women are affected. About 7 in 10 women in their seventies have this problem.
What does vaginal atrophy look like?
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. Vaginal rugae disappear, and the cervix may become flush with the vaginal wall.
Can a woman have an Orgasim after menopause?
Orgasms — and great sex — are still absolutely possible, through menopause and beyond. A few small changes can go a long way toward increasing your pleasure during sex — solo or partnered — and boosting physical and emotional intimacy with your partner(s).
Does atrophy go away?
Disuse (physiologic) atrophy is usually reversible, but it won't happen overnight. You can recover from muscle atrophy by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. You may start seeing improvement after a few months, but it may take much longer for you to fully recover your strength.
Is atrophy a disease?
Pathologic atrophy is seen with aging, starvation, and diseases such as Cushing disease (because of taking too much medicines called corticosteroids). Neurogenic atrophy is the most severe type of muscle atrophy. It can be from an injury to, or disease of a nerve that connects to the muscle.
How can I increase my estrogen levels naturally?
7 Ways You Can Boost Estrogen NaturallyPhytoestrogen-Rich Foods. Phytoestrogens, found in plants and plant-based foods, have a similar structure to estradiol, which is the strongest of the estrogen hormones. ... B Vitamins. ... Vitamin D. ... Chasteberry (also known as Vitex Agnus-Castus) ... Boron. ... Black Cohosh. ... Evening Primrose Oil.
What causes urethral atrophy?
Urogenital atrophy typically occurs due to declining estrogen levels in menopause. However, decreased estrogen stimulation of urogenital tissue can also occur in premenopausal women.
What causes urogenital atrophy?
Urogenital atrophy. The major cause of urogenital atrophy in menopausal women is estrogen loss. The symptoms are usually progressive in nature and deteriorate with time from the menopausal transition. The most prevalent urogenital symptoms are vaginal dryness, vaginal irritation and itching.
What causes urogenital atrophy in menopausal women?
The major cause of urogenital atrophy in menopausal women is estrogen loss. The symptoms are usually progressive in nature and deteriorate with time from the menopausal transition.
What are the symptoms of urogenital vulva?
The most prevalent urogenital symptoms are vaginal dryness, vaginal irritation and itching. The classical changes in an atrophic vulva include loss of labial and vulvar fullness, with narrowing of the introitus and inflamed mucosal surfaces. ...
Can atrophic changes affect menopause?
Atrophic changes of the vulva, vagina and lower urinary tract can have a large impact on the quality of life of the menopausal woman. However, hormonal and non-hormonal treatments can provide patients with the solution to regain previous level of function.
What is urogenital atrophy?
This guidance refers to urogenital atrophy, a chronic and progressive condition due to estrogen deficiency, most commonly associated with the menopause. There is a potential negative impact on all urogenital tissue quality including the vulva, vagina, bladder and urethra.
Is urogenital atrophy a silent epidemic?
Urogenital atrophy has been described as a silent epidemic with lack of awareness affecting an accurate diagnosis and access to treatment. Whilst vaginal estrogen (also referred to as local estrogen) therapy is the best-known treatment, newer drugs and interventions are now available.
What to do for urogenital atrophy?
Some options that may help include: Avoidance of soaps to wash with (perhaps replacing with aqueous cream, available from most pharmacies) Treatment of underlying skin problems with topical creams, often after guidance by a specialist and perhaps a skin-biopsy if required.
What type of laser is used for urogenital atrophy?
There are two types of laser therapy for urogenital atrophy, CO2 micro ablative laser and Erbium Yag- -ablative photo thermal laser therapy. Availability of both CO2 and Erbium -Yag laser is mainly in the private sector.
What does it mean when you have an overactive bladder?
The pattern of incontinence is often mixed. Symptoms of “overactive bladder” include frequency (recurrent need to pass urine) and nocturia (need to pass urine at night leading to recurrent wakening). Some women also feel they need to pass urine, having only just done so due to over activity of the bladder muscle.
What causes menopausal uroesis?
Causes of menopausal urinary symptoms. When menopause occurs, estrogen production is reduced, which is the major cause of urogenital atrophy. Atrophy means a wasting away of muscle mass, and urogenital atrophy involves atrophy of the vagina as well as atrophy of the urinary tract. The lack of estrogen weakens the bladder (which holds urine) ...
Why does menopause cause urinary problems?
These urinary changes occur for two reasons: Menopause reduces the amount of the female hormone estrogen, and a lack ...
Can menopause cause urogenital atrophy?
Menopause urinary symptoms. Symptoms associated with urogenital atrophy can range from minor inconveniences to emotional distress. Unlike other symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, urogenital atrophy symptoms can become worse as the woman ages. Symptoms related to urinary atrophy are:
Does HT help with urogenital atrophy?
These can help restore the vagina to premenopausal condition and relieve many symptoms of urogenital atrophy. Systemic HT (taken orally and affecting the whole system) may reduce the urinary symptoms of urgency, frequency, nocturia and painful urination, but there is continuing debate about the effectiveness of systemic HT in treating urogenital ...
Does estrogen help with urinary tract infections?
Local estrogen, applied externally, is helpful in relieving the symptoms of urinary urgency, frequency and stress incontinence, and can also help prevent urogenital atrophy and the recurrence of urinary tract infections . The most common treatment for vaginal atrophy symptoms is low-dose vaginal estrogen replacement, utilizing creams, ...
What is the term for menopause atrophy?
Because the condition causes both vaginal and urinary symptoms, doctors use the term "genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM)" to describe vaginal atrophy and its accompanying symptoms. Simple, effective treatments for GSM are available. Reduced estrogen levels result in changes to your body, but it doesn't mean you have to live with ...
What is the term for thinning and drying of the vaginal walls?
Vaginal atrophy ( atrophic vaginitis) is thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls that may occur when your body has less estrogen. Vaginal atrophy occurs most often after menopause. For many women, vaginal atrophy not only makes intercourse painful but also leads to distressing urinary symptoms.
Why does menopause cause genitourinary syndrome?
Causes. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause is caused by a decrease in estrogen production. Less estrogen makes your vaginal tissues thinner, drier, less elastic and more fragile. A drop in estrogen levels may occur: After menopause. During the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause)
