□What is atrophic vaginitis?

Atrophic vaginitis is a disease that is said to affect more than 40% of women who have been menopause.
Many women must have experienced unpleasant symptoms related to the vagina and vulva for a long time.

However, in Japan, older women's concerns about their sensitive areas are extremely private.
Because it is a topic that no one can talk about, it tends to be unable to consult with the hospital, let alone treat it, and it tends to be left alone for many years.

□Major causes of atrophic vaginitis 

The main cause of atrophic vaginitis is a significant decrease in estrogen secretion.
Estrogens have the following effects:

• Keep the vagina moist
• Maturing eggs
• Maintain normal skin in the vagina and vulva
• Thicken the uterine lining
• Promote collagen production
• ●Stable autonomic nervous system function

When the amount of estrogen is reduced, the vagina becomes dry, causing the vagina and endometrium to become thin and fluffy.
The lactobacillus, which maintains the vagina's pH, also decreases, causing the vagina to become alkaline and the self-cleaning effect to weaken.

□Mechanism of onset of atrophic vaginitis

• ●The amount of estrogen secretion decreases, collagen in the vaginal wall decreases, and vaginal atrophy begins.
• ●The vaginal mucosa becomes more susceptible to damage, and the environment where bacteria are prone to growth, causing bacteria to grow and inflammation occurs in the damaged mucosa.

Additionally, the vagina, which is prone to dryness, can cause damage and inflammation even if you rub it while walking.
If bacteria grow in damaged areas and the reduction in self-cleaning effect due to the reduction in lactobacillus, the symptoms may worsen.
Also, in young women, if the following applies, be careful as there is a risk of developing atrophic vaginitis.

• Irregular periods
• Smoking
• ●Uses of drugs that suppress female hormones
• ●Long-term breastfeeding after giving birth
• ●Had an ovarian surgery
• ●Had cancer treatment

If your period stops due to illness due to removal of your ovaries or breastfeeding for a long period of time, the amount of estrogen secretion will decrease.
Smoking also causes blood flow to the ovaries regardless of age, causing atrophic vaginitis.