title: Atrophic vaginitis.
abstract: With the loss of estrogen that occurs with menopause, physiologic and structural changes occur within the vulvovaginal mucosa that lead to a condition commonly called atrophic vaginitis. Although mild genital changes occur in most women, 10-47% of postmenopausal women will develop one or more debilitating symptoms that include vulvovaginal dryness, dyspareunia, vulvar itching or pain, recurrent urinary tract infections, as well as abnormal vaginal discharge. Topical estrogen replacement therapies reverse these mucosal changes and are effective treatments for the symptoms of atrophic vaginitis. Vaginal moisturizers and lubricants also provide symptomatic relief for vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 680 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL60611, USA. c-stika@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Catherine S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Stika
mesh_terms: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D001284:Atrophy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D058869:Gynecological Examination; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D014621:Vagina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D004967:Estrogens; D008055:Lipids; C085472:Replens; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D014622:Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies