Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University.
Vaginal atrophy is the medical term that refers to the thinning of the wall
of the vagina that occurs during menopause (the time when menstrual periods have
ceased) in women. Prior to menopause, the vaginal lining appears plump, bright
red, and moist. As estrogen levels decline, the lining of the vagina becomes
thinner, drier, light pink to bluish in color, and less elastic. This is a
normal change that is noticed by many perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Estrogen levels begin to fall as the menopause approaches. Estrogens are
mainly produced by the ovaries. Estrogens control the development of female body
characteristics such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. Estrogens also
play a significant role in the regulation of the
menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Most women reach menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can occur
earlier or later in life. The average age of menopause is 51 years old. Every
woman is different, and there is no definitive way to predict when an individual
woman will enter menopause. Also, women in the menopausal transition experience
symptoms with different degrees of severity. Not all perimenopausal and
postmenopausal women will have the same symptoms or have symptoms that are
equally severe.
What symptoms can be associated with vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy?
Other vaginal symptoms that are commonly associated with vaginal atrophy
include vaginal dryness, itching, irritation, and/or pain with sexual
intercourse (known as dyspareunia). The vaginal changes also lead to an
increased risk of vaginal infections.
In addition to the vaginal symptoms, women may experience other symptoms of
the menopausal transition. Hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, fatigue,
urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, acne, memory problems, and
unwanted hair growth are all symptoms that have been reported by women
experiencing menopause.
Night sweats are severe hot flashes that occur at night and result in a drenching sweat. In order to distinguish night sweats that arise from medical causes from those that occur because one's surroundings are too warm, doctors generally refer to true night sweats as severe hot flashes occurring at night that can drench sleepwear and sheets, which are not related to an overheated environment.
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the “change of life." Menopause symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies, and should be discussed with your physician.
Vulvodynia or vaginal pain, genital pain is a condition in which women have chronic vulvar pain with no known cause. There are two types of vulvodynia, generalized vulvodynia and vulvar vestibulitis. Researchers are trying to find the causes of vulvodynia, which may include nerve irritation, genetic factors, hypersensitivity to yeast infections, muscle spasms, hormonal changes, and more. The most common symptoms of vaginal pain (vulvodynia) is burning, rawness, itching, stinging, aching, soreness, and throbbing. There are a variety of treatments that can ease the symptoms of vulvodynia (vaginal pain).
Hot flashes (or flushing) is the most common symptom experienced by a woman prior to and during the early stages of menopause. Hot flashes can be caused by other conditions. Diagnosis is made by taking a patient history and at times, blood tests. Treatment options include hormone therapy, bioidentical hormone therapy, and medications. There are non-FDA approved natural remedies.
There are many types of urinary incontinence (UI), which is the accidental leakage of urine. These types include stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overflow incontinence. Urinary incontinence in men may be caused by prostate or nerve problems. Treatment depends upon the type and severity of the UI and the patient's lifestyle.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in children. Symptoms and signs include fever and abdominal pain. Associated symptoms and signs include flank pain, vomiting, and blood in the urine. Treatment for a UTI involves antibiotic therapy.
Menopause is often associated with a change in sexual functioning. Loss of estrogen, bladder control issues, anxiety, stress, health concerns, medications, and sleep disturbances often result in a decrease in libido. Though there are currently no good drugs for treating sexual problems in women, there are ways to increase intimacy with a partner and treat vaginal dryness.
Women with vulvodynia have chronic vulvar pain with no
known cause. Until recently, doctors didn't recognize this as a real pain
syndrome. Even today, many women do not receive a diagnosis. They may also remain isolated by a
condition that is not easy to discuss. Researchers are working hard to uncover
the causes of vulvodynia and to find better ways to treat it.
Types of Vulvodynia
Vulvodynia affects the vulva, the external female genital organs. This
includes the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening.
There are two main subtypes of vulvodynia:
Generalized vulvodynia is pain in different areas of the vulva at different
times. Vulvar pain may be constant or occur every once in a while. Touch or
pressure may or may not prompt it. But this may make the pain worse.
Vulvar vestibulitis
syndrome is pain in the vestibule. This is the entrance
to the vagina. Often a burning
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