It is a chronic pathological condition common in menopause: it affects 1 in 2 women. Yet it is still underestimated, especially because the symptoms are similar to other disorders. If not properly treated, Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy can have repercussions on a woman’s quality of life. Here’s how you can prevent it.
Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy is a chronic and progressive condition related to menopause, which can worsen over time. 1 in 2 women suffer from it after the end of childbearing age. Yet, despite the important numbers, Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy is often underestimated by women who mistake it for a typical menopausal age disorder. This is why we still talk about it too little and we know – often – even less.
“63% of women do not know that Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy is a chronic condition destined to worsen over time – says Professor Rossella Nappi , expert gynecologist in menopause – and 75% expect doctors to start the discussion on menopausal symptoms and sexual health ”.
What is Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy and why it is important to prevent it
Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy is a chronic and progressive pathological condition that causes thinning of the vulvar tissues. The vaginal walls, already drier due to the decrease in natural lubrication caused by the hormonal changes of menopause , become more fragile and less elastic.
Since it is a disorder chronic and progressive , the vulvo Vaginal Atrophy may worsen over time and cause a series of discomforts and intimate discomfort that may impact on your everyday life and on ‘ torque intimacy .
For these reasons it is essential to know the protective factors with respect to Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy, against which the best weapons are prevention and early diagnosis . Both have one common denominator: the visit to the gynecologist .
Vulvo Vaginal atrophy: what are the protective factors
Here are some simple but important guidelines that are protective factors with respect to Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy but also fundamental rules to take care of your body and your health:
- follow an adequate diet
- keep fit with light but constant physical activity
- periodically undergo screening for menopause .
The best weapon against Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy is a visit to the gynecologist
Periodic check-ups by the gynecologist are the best weapon to prevent or diagnose Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy early. As this pathological condition tends to become chronic, we have said it, to manage it in the best way it is important to identify it as soon as possible. In this sense, the visit to the gynecologist is the most powerful tool for prevention and early diagnosis.
For it to be truly decisive, however, it is important that you do your part by making an effort to speak frankly and sincerely to the specialist. Such a simple gesture is also the most sensible you can do to prevent and treat Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy: do not hesitate to describe intimate annoyances and ailments to the gynecologist, even if it can be embarrassing to do so.
Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy: useful tips for contacting the gynecologist
Today, there are several treatments that can be helpful in managing the symptoms and effects of Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy .
To find the best solution, however, it is up to you to take the first step: by the time you put your embarrassment aside and talk to the specialist about your difficulties, you will have already taken the best path to protect your health and regain yours. serenity of a woman.
If you still have some doubts and the visit to the gynecologist scares you, you can read this dedicated page where you will find many useful tips to overcome the fear and embarrassment of the visit.
Beyond that, you have:
- a checklist that can help you explain your symptoms and how you feel to the gynecologist
- a test for Vulvo-Vaginal Atrophy (which naturally does not replace the diagnosis of the gynecologist).
What are the causes of Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy: is there a link with menopause?
L ‘vulvo Vaginal atrophy is related to hormonal values that are changed in a gradual and progressive as you get closer to menopause. It is important, however, to always contact the gynecologist to avoid mistaking the warning symptoms of Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy for simple disorders that may be typical of the end of the fertile age.
The vaginal dryness , for example, is a very common condition for women in menopause because it is linked to the decrease in estrogen production that is physiological to the cessation of ovarian activity. “47% of women suffer from it already after only 3 years from the last cycle and the percentage continues to rise if it is not treated: 10 years after menopause, the majority of women suffer from it” says Professor Alessandra Graziottin , Director of the Center for Gynecology and Medical Sexology of the Hospital. San Raffaele Resnati, Milan. “Only 4% of women, however, attribute the symptoms of vaginal dryness, pain to intercourse, discomfort and burning to Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy”.
See a detailed infographic on vaginal dryness here
What are the effects of Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy
The most frequent consequence of Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy is the renunciation of intimate relationships due to the pain they cause during or after.
Often out of shame we choose to “endure” certain moments of embarrassment in which we would just like to say “no” but when the pain becomes unbearable, almost 7 out of 10 women decide to give up intimacy . In fact, “67% of women after the age of 55 with Vulvo Vaginal Atrophy avoid intimacy with their partner”, says gynecologist Rossella Nappi.
This, however, is a serious mistake because a frank and spontaneous communication with your partner and with the gynecologist can be decisive . You don’t have to give up! Doing so means depriving yourself of a fundamental part for your physical and emotional well-being as a woman, even more so in a delicate phase, such as that of menopause, in which your psychophysical balance may need a surplus of pampering and attention from the your mate.
There is more: in this phase the intimacy with the partner can also be useful to keep some muscles of the body “trained” ( such as the pelvic floor ) that play a fundamental role for your well-being as a woman. Love can be of great help in dealing with physical and emotional transformations which, in some cases, could be a little tiring to manage. And then mature love can even be better ..
