How to treat atrophic vulvitis

Atrophic vaginitis is common in postmenopausal women, with obvious symptoms including increased vaginal discharge, thin discharge, dyspareunia, urinary incontinence, etc. For the occurrence of atrophic vaginitis, patients need to control and treat it in time, such as enhancing vaginal resistance, inhibiting bacterial growth, and paying attention to the hygiene care of the vaginal area, etc.

1. Differential diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis

Based on the age of onset, medical history, and local examination, the vulva may be flushed and moist, the vaginal wall may be congested, and there may be scattered bleeding spots, which are most obvious in the posterior fornix and cervix. Ulcers may form after the vaginal mucosa is peeled off. It is generally not difficult to diagnose. When chronic inflammation occurs, two results may occur: one is fibrosis of the connective tissue under the vaginal mucosa, loss of vaginal elasticity, and eventually formation of vaginal stenosis and scarring; the other is adhesion of the vaginal wall to form vaginal atresia, and even formation of vaginal abscess above the atresia. Although this condition is rare, it is a serious condition.

To differentiate it from specific vaginitis, vaginal secretions should be examined to exclude pathogens such as Trichomonas and fungi. Bloody leucorrhea should be differentiated from uterine malignancy. During gynecological examination, attention should be paid to the size and shape of the uterus, the source of bleeding, and vaginal cytology. If necessary, cervical or endometrial biopsy should be performed.

2. What are the symptoms of atrophic vaginitis?

2.1. Vaginal discharge increases, becomes thin and light yellow in color, and in severe cases becomes purulent and bloody leucorrhea with a foul odor.

2.2. The secretions cause irritation, itching and burning sensation in the vulva.

2.3. Vaginal mucosal atrophy may be accompanied by sexual intercourse pain and sometimes urinary incontinence.

2.4. The infection may also invade the urethra and cause urinary system irritation symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain when urinating.

2.5. Gynecological examination may show atrophic changes in the vaginal mucosa, disappearance of wrinkles, thinning and smoothing of the epithelium, congestion, redness and swelling of the vaginal mucosa, and bleeding spots or patches, which are most obvious in the posterior vault and cervix. In severe cases, ulcers or vulvar redness and erosion may form. The ulcer surface may adhere to the opposite side, and the adhesions may cause bleeding due to separation during examination. Severe adhesions may cause vaginal stenosis or even occlusion, and poor drainage of inflammatory secretions may lead to vaginal or intrauterine pyometra.

3. How to treat atrophic vaginitis

3.1. Enhance vaginal resistance

Estrogen preparations are given according to the cause, either topically or systemically. Apply estrone ointment topically twice a day, or estriol cream topically once a day during the first week, and then gradually reduce to the maintenance dose (such as twice a week) based on the relief.

3.2. Inhibition of bacterial growth

Flushing the vagina with 1% lactic acid or 0.5% acetic acid solution once a day can increase vaginal acidity and inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction. After vaginal douching, topical antibiotics are applied.

How to care for atrophic vaginitis

Pay attention to hygiene at ordinary times to reduce the chance of illness. Change and wash your underwear frequently. Do not share your own cleaning basins and towels with others.

Because the vaginal mucosa of elderly women is thin and the elastic tissue in the vagina is reduced, sexual intercourse may damage the vaginal mucosa and blood vessels in the mucosa, allowing bacteria to invade.

In case of senile vaginitis, do not use hot water to wash the vulva due to vulvar itching. Although doing so can temporarily relieve the vulvar itching, it will make the vulvar skin dry and rough, and the itching will soon become more obvious. It is advisable to use warm water when cleaning the vulva.

Do not use soap or any liquid medicine to clean the vulva. The vulva skin of elderly women is generally dry and atrophied. Frequent use of soap and other highly irritating cleaning products to clean the vulva will aggravate the dryness of the skin, cause itching, and damage the vulva skin.

What to eat for atrophic vaginitis

1. 10 grams of Cornus officinalis, appropriate amounts of yam and coix seed. Cook the above three ingredients into porridge together and take it 1-2 times a day for 2 weeks. This prescription has the effects of nourishing the kidney, strengthening the spleen and drying dampness.

2. 60 grams of clams, 120 grams of leeks, and appropriate amount of rice wine. Place a wok on high heat and pour in raw oil to heat it. Pour in the washed clams and stir-fry for a while. Add 2 bowls of water and bring to a boil. Then pour in the washed and chopped leeks and rice wine and bring to a slight boil. Take 1 dose per day, all at once. One course of treatment is 5 to 7 days. This recipe can nourish the kidneys and stop leucorrhea.

3. 60 grams each of lotus seeds and coix seeds, and 120 grams of clam meat. Peel and core the lotus seeds, wash the coix seeds, cut the clam meat into thin slices, put them into a casserole, add 750 ml of water, and simmer for 1 hour. Take it for 7-10 days for the effect to be seen. The effect of this prescription is to clear away heat, dry dampness and stop leukorrhea.