Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic Vaginitis)
Our Vaginal Atrophy and Holistic Vitality Solutions
What is Vaginal Atrophy?
Sovereign Female specialists are in tune with women’s bodies and female sexual health concerns. We know that sometimes uncomfortable issues related to vaginal atrophy or GSM (genitourinary syndrome of menopause) are challenging to talk about.
Even though vulvovaginal changes are extremely common throughout women’s lives, you might struggle to find useful information or safe and effective treatments.
Vaginal atrophy comes with a spectrum of unwanted symptoms for women at different life stages. Vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, pain during sex, stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and more can have a significant, unpleasant impact on your well-being, but you don’t have to live with them. There are incredible advances in non-surgical technology that improves the lives of women and helps restore confidence, comfort, and pleasure.
Come talk to the caring team at Sovereign Female.
Causes of Vaginal Atrophy
Atrophic vaginitis is most commonly triggered by a decline in estrogen. This vital hormone plays an integral role in the way a woman’s vaginal tissue feels and functions. Without adequate estrogen, vaginal tissue can become thinner, dryer, and less elastic.
With age, the general levels of collagen and elastin in our skin decline, which is why skin laxity, wrinkles, and an aged appearance show up beginning in mid-life.
With age, most women also experience a natural decline in estrogen. Menopause often signals a dramatic hormonal shift with visible effects on the skin, hair, and musculature.
Aside from menopause, younger women may experience a decline in estrogen for other reasons, including:
- after childbirth and during breastfeeding
- after a hysterectomy or the removal of ovaries
- during chemotherapy or pelvic radiation for cancer treatment
- during hormonal therapy for breast cancer treatment
- due to extreme stress or malnutrition
Vaginal Atrophy Prevention
Though signs of ageing and natural hormonal changes are inevitable for most people, there are ways to take charge of health, optimal hormonal balance, circulation, and sexual vitality. Some factors may predispose women to atrophic vaginitis, but certain health practices can help maintain healthy functioning.
Of note, vaginal atrophy presents as an issue more often for women who have not delivered babies vaginally.
Because smoking cigarettes deprives your skin of optimal blood flow, vaginal thinning and decreased blood flow may result in appearance and sensation changes for women who smoke.
Kegel exercises (focused tightening of pelvic floor tissues) can help maintain strength, urinary continence, and sexual satisfaction. Because urinary system atrophy (genitourinary atrophy) may go hand in hand with vaginal atrophy, maintaining pelvic floor tone can help reduce atrophy-related urinary tract problems.
Atrophic vaginitis is a related complication of chemical changes in the vagina related to hormone alterations. With reduced lubrication and blood flow, bacteria may thrive and present as itching, burning, discharge, or odour. Maintaining adequate estrogen levels, vaginal hydration, and optimal PH levels can help prevent vaginitis or urinary tract infections.
Sovereign Female is home to a team of female gynecologists, nurses, and MDs who specialize in holistic women’s health. Whether you want to discuss hormone therapy, nutritional and vitamin therapy, or laser vaginal tightening or rejuvenation, we provide numerous options that can be tailored to you.
Menopause and Post-Menopausal Atrophic Vaginitis
Vaginal atrophy is often characterized by thinning, lax vaginal walls, lowered libido, vaginal dryness, and sometimes pain or discomfort. The vaginal canal is supported by strong muscular tissue along the inside walls that holds internal structures like the bladder and uterus in place. Regardless of her overall health and muscle tone, when a woman experiences pre-menopause and menopause, she’ll likely notice some loss of muscle strength and tone throughout her body. The vaginal muscles are no exception.
Between the ages of 45 and 55, female ovaries no longer release eggs. Women will stop having menstrual periods during that time and are considered post-menopausal once they haven’t had a period for more than 12 months.
Many post-menopausal women notice changes in their figure, skin, hair, and overall strength. They may also experience sexual health changes but not realize that those changes are associated with a decline in estrogen.
Vaginal atrophy is common, but studies suggest that fewer than 25% of women seek help for symptoms from their doctor.
Menopausal Vaginal Atrophy Symptoms:
- Thinning of vaginal walls
- Shortening of the vaginal canal
- Vaginal dryness
- Vaginal burning or itching
- Minor bleeding after intercourse
- Pain during intercourse
- Burning or discomfort with urination
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Stress urinary incontinence (leakage)
Treatment for Vaginal Atrophy
If you struggle with unwanted vulvovaginal changes, sexual discomfort, or stress urinary incontinence, you don’t have to live with it! You may have effective, non-surgical treatment options available to you. Sovereign Female has a suite of solutions available ranging from vitamin and hormone therapies to advanced laser vaginal rejuvenation. Combinations of treatment modalities often target the visible aging of vulva tissue while restoring healthy circulation, sensation, and tone to this delicate area.
Increasing numbers of women want non-surgical options for treating vaginal laxity. That’s why we’ve invested in top-of-the-line Fotona laser devices designed specifically with complex female internal structures in mind.
The laser treatment for vaginal atrophy is designed to be comfortable and convenient, completed over a lunch break, and without disrupting your daily routine. In just a few sessions, the powerful non-invasive laser energy stimulates circulation, stronger muscle tone, elastic and healthy skin, and improved lubrication – all factors affected by lowered estrogen.
Laser Vaginal Tightening with IntimaLase
Our female health specialists will be happy to discuss laser vaginal tightening with IntimaLase by Fotona. The popular Er:YAG laser therapy is designed for comfortable, photothermal tightening and the rejuvenation of the vulvovaginal tissue. This safe, easy-to-perform procedure avoids stitches, scars, and a long recovery, but delivers impressive results.
We’re confident in the safety and effectiveness of Fotona Smooth and IntimiLase therapy, which are backed by multiple clinical studies. For over 10 years, vaginal relaxation syndrome, laxity, and atrophy have been improved or reversed with Fotona.
Candidates for Non-Surgical Vaginal Rejuvenation
Laser vaginal tightening with Fotona is considered to be safe for diverse skin types. Because it uses extremely precise thermal energy direction to specific tissue layers, there is no concern for surface skin damage or discomfort. The treatment is described as completely comfortable with a slight warming sensation or no notable sensation at all.
You will have a series of sessions recommended for you based on your private consultation and exam. After discussing your needs and goals, your practitioner will recommend 1 to 3 treatment sessions on average. Each session builds cumulative results.
Patients experience improved vaginal tone, vaginal wall thickening, and more responsive vaginal tissue. These laser vaginal tightening sessions will be spaced 5 weeks apart on average. But some people notice measurable results after only one session!
Your vaginal rejuvenation treatments will take place in one of Sovereign’s ultra-private, elegant suites. While you relax, a smooth, hand-held wand (similar to a pelvic exam speculum) will be gently inserted into your vagina to deliver thermal energy pulses throughout the internal space.
The entire session will take less than 30 minutes, and you’ll be able to resume your daily activities right away. A few minor restrictions such as avoiding sexual intercourse and tampon insertion will be advised for a short time.
Book Your Consultation at Sovereign Female to Discuss Vaginal Atrophy and Holistic Vitality Solutions
Sovereign offers diverse treatment options for a diverse clientele. Your plan for revitalized energy, sexual health, pro-ageing skin rejuvenation, and more may consist of bioidentical hormones, topical treatments, IntimiLase, or other laser modalities. We offer vitamin IV drip therapeutics and advanced light therapy.
At Sovereign, you’ll have the advantage of seeing medical aestheticians, urology, and gynecology experts along with plastic surgeons – all under one roof. You can count on a personalized, caring experience and expert guidance no matter which treatment plan you choose. You’re welcome at Sovereign Female. Let’s talk about the new, improved you.
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Quality – Aesthetics – Professionalism
If you would like to learn more about what this incredible team of beauty advisors and medical professionals can offer you, please contact Sovereign Female today to start your journey towards the very best that Canada has to offer!
