Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic Vaginitis)
Learn about the best methods to treat female concerns.
What Is Vaginal Atrophy?
Sovereign Skin is dedicated to providing a holistic suite of treatments catered to women’s bodies. Female sexual health concerns can be challenging to talk about, and many women don’t know that there are effective, non-surgical solutions for vaginal atrophy, or GSM (genitourinary syndrome of menopause).
Vulvovaginal changes occur throughout women’s lives. These changes are often related to aging, childbirth, hormonal shifts, and menopause.
Vaginal atrophy is characterized by a spectrum of symptoms like vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, discomfort during sex, and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Vaginal atrophy may have an unpleasant impact on your confidence and well-being, but you have options to improve it. Sovereign Skin is home to incredible advances in non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation technology. We also have gynecology specialists who can help you restore sexual health, self-esteem, and pleasure.
Come talk to the caring team at Sovereign Skin.
Causes of Vaginal Atrophy
Vaginal atrophy (atrophic vaginitis) is commonly triggered by declining estrogen. This sex hormone plays a vital role in the form and function of a woman’s vulva and vagina. When estrogen levels are inadequate, vaginal tissue becomes dryer, thinner, and less elastic.
Collagen and elastin in your skin will decline naturally with age. This results in skin laxity, wrinkles, and an aged appearance. At Sovereign Skin, we treat these signs of ageing on the face, décolletage, and hands, where people usually notice them first. However, most women experience a decline in estrogen throughout menopause or after childbirth, which leads to skin and functional tissue changes in intimate areas too.
Younger women sometimes experience a decline in estrogen for reasons other than menopause, including:
- Childbirth and breastfeeding
- After hysterectomy or the removal of ovaries
- During chemotherapy and pelvic radiation for cancer treatment
- During breast cancer treatment
- Extreme stress or malnutrition
Vaginal Atrophy Prevention
Signs of age and hormonal changes are natural for most people, but there are ways to improve sexual health, balance hormones, and improve vulva circulation and sexual vitality.
Certain factors may predispose women to atrophic vaginitis, but some health practices can help maintain healthy functioning. Vaginal atrophy is an issue more often for women who haven’t delivered babies vaginally.
* Smoking cigarettes deprives the skin of optimal blood flow, and decreased blood flow can result in tissue thinning or sensation changes for women who are smokers.
* Kegel exercises (controlled tightening of pelvic floor muscles) may help maintain muscle strength, urinary continence, and sexual satisfaction. Urinary system atrophy (genitourinary atrophy) can coincide with vaginal atrophy, so maintaining pelvic floor tone helps improve atrophy-related genitourinary problems.
* Atrophic vaginitis can trigger chemical changes in the vagina related to hormone fluctuations. A reduction in natural lubrication and circulation to these tissues may cause unwanted bacteria to thrive, which presents as burning, itching, discharge, or odour. Balancing estrogen levels as well as improving vaginal hydration and optimal PH levels can help treat vaginitis and urinary tract infections.
Sovereign Female is home to female gynecologists and urology specialists, aesthetic nurses, and MDs who specialize in women’s health. Whether you wish to discuss bioidentical hormone therapy, vitamin therapy, laser vaginal tightening, or vaginal rejuvenation, we will be happy to provide customized options for you.
Post-Menopausal Atrophic Vaginitis and Menopause
Vaginal atrophy is typically characterized by thinner, less toned vaginal walls, lowered libido, dryness, and pain or discomfort during intercourse. The vaginal canal is supported by muscular tissue along the walls and the supporting internal structures like the uterus and bladder. Regardless of your overall health and fitness, when you experience pre-menopause or menopause, you’ll probably notice some loss of muscle tone and strength throughout your body. Your vaginal muscles are no exception.
Female ovaries stop releasing eggs between the ages of 45 and 55 in most women. They stop having menstrual periods at this time and are considered post-menopausal when more than 12 months pass without menstruation.
Post-menopausal women often notice changes in their body shape, skin texture, hair, and strength. Many also experience sexual health changes, but they don’t realize that these are associated with declining estrogen.
Fewer than 25% of women are said to seek help for vaginal atrophy symptoms, even though they are extremely common.
Symptoms of menopausal vaginal atrophy include:
- Thinning vaginal walls
- Reduced vaginal canal length
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal itching or burning
- Minor bleeding (spotting) after intercourse
- Uncomfortable intercourse
- Burning with urination
- Urinary tract infections (UTI)
- Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
Treatments for Vaginal Atrophy
If you have experienced vulvovaginal changes, including sexual discomfort or stress urinary incontinence, you don’t have to live with it! There are effective non-surgical treatment options available to you. Sovereign Skin provides a holistic menu of treatment options ranging from vitamin and hormone therapy to laser vaginal rejuvenation. Our specialists can target the visible aging of vulva tissue and work to improve healthy circulation, sexual sensation, and muscle tone in this delicate area.
Today, increasing numbers of women consider non-surgical solutions for treating vaginal laxity. That’s why we have top-of-the-line Fotona laser technology designed for the complex female anatomy and diverse body or skin types.
Laser treatment for vaginal atrophy can be comfortable and convenient. Busy moms and professionals schedule discreet treatments over a lunch break and without disrupting their daily routine. Within just a few sessions, the gentle non-invasive laser energy stimulates collagen and elastin, circulation, stronger muscle tone, and improved lubrication – all the factors affected by low estrogen.
Laser Vaginal Tightening with Fotona’s IntimaLase
Our health and beauty specialists will tell you everything that you need to know about laser vaginal tightening with IntimaLase. This popular Er:YAG laser therapy uses photothermal energy for tightening and revitalizing vulvovaginal tissue. It’s a safe, easy-to-perform procedure that avoids stitches, scars, or a long recovery, yet brings impressive results.
The safety and effectiveness of Fotona IntimiLase therapy are backed by multiple clinical studies. Successfully improving the quality of life for women for over 10 years, IntimaLase is indicated for vaginal relaxation syndrome, tissue laxity, and atrophy.
Are You a Candidate for Non-Surgical Vaginal Rejuvenation?
Laser vaginal tightening is safe for diverse skin types. That’s because it uses precise thermal energy directed to extremely specific tissue layers, minimizing concern for skin damage or burns. The treatment is often described as amazingly comfortable with a slight warming sensation or no sensation at all.
A series of sessions will be recommended for you based on a private consultation and exam. Your practitioner will discuss your needs and goals, then recommend an average of 1 to 3 treatment sessions, with each session improving the cumulative results.
IntimaLase results include improved vaginal tone, thickening of vaginal walls, and more sensitive vaginal tissue. Your sessions will be scheduled 5 weeks apart. However, patients sometimes notice measurable improvements after just a single session!
Your vaginal atrophy treatments take place in one of Sovereign Skin’s elegant, private suites. You’ll recline and relax while a smooth, hand-held wand (similar to a pelvic exam speculum) is gently inserted into your vagina. The handpiece delivers controlled thermal energy pulses at various depths in the vaginal canal. The energetic tissue changes will continue to take place over several weeks after your session.
The entire treatment will take less than 30 minutes, so you’ll be able to resume normal activities right away. Minor restrictions like avoiding sexual intercourse or tampon insertion will be recommended for a short time.
Book a Consultation at Sovereign Skin to Discuss Vaginal Atrophy and Non-Surgical Solutions
Sovereign treats a diverse clientele with a broad spectrum of technology and options. Your plan for restored energy, improved sexual health, skin rejuvenation, and more could consist of bioidentical hormones, topical treatment, IntimiLase, or other laser treatments. Sovereign also offers vitamin IV drip therapeutics and light therapy.
At Sovereign, you can enjoy the convenience of seeing nurses and medical aestheticians, urologists, and gynecology experts or plastic surgeons – all under the same roof. Count on us for a caring, VIP experience and personalized guidance no matter what treatment you choose. You’re welcome at Sovereign Skin; let’s talk about a new, improved you.
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If you would like to further learn about what this incredible team of beauty advisors and medical professionals can offer you, please contact Sovereign Skin today to start your journey towards the very best that Canada has to offer!
