Age-related colpitis treatment with folk remedies. Age-related colpitis (atrophic vaginitis): causes, symptoms, methods of diagnosis and treatment

How to live and deal with senile colpitis? This question worries many. Some information about what senile colpitis is, symptoms and treatment are probably known to many. The female body, especially the genitals, is prone to all sorts of diseases. These are inflammatory processes, and allergic manifestations, and all kinds of fungal infections.

To prevent complications in gynecological diseases, it is necessary to visit a doctor regularly. Systematic examinations and observation by a gynecologist should occur twice a year.

The main signs of colpitis

Age colpitis is one of the gynecological diseases. This is an inflammatory process of the genital organs of a woman. During menopause, a woman may feel some discomfort, itching and burning in the vagina. Colpitis in older women is caused by atrophic changes in the mucous membrane of the vagina and genital organs. The functionality of the ovaries decreases, the acidity of the vaginal microflora can drop to a catastrophic level. In especially severe cases, the secret liquid is no longer acidic, but alkaline. Pathological flora begins to develop.

Colpitis can go unnoticed, without causing concern and without giving itself away. Sometimes there are mucous discharges, bloody, with obvious signs of pus. But a woman usually associates these symptoms with other diseases. More common signs include:

burning;
swelling of the labia;
strong mucous discharge, which may be milky or cheesy, with obvious signs of blood or pus;
disgusting smell;
pain in the lower abdomen;
frequent urine output;
lethargy;
fast fatiguability;
in severe cases, fever.

With senile colpitis (colpitis during menopause), dryness in the genitals is most often observed. Sometimes the dryness is so progressive that it itches. With severe itching, purulent blood discharge and other symptoms, you should consult a doctor to check for the formation of malignant tumors.

Causes of the disease and diagnosis

A number of categories of older women are subject to senile colpitis:

with untimely onset of menopause;
with normal (age-related) menopause;
who underwent chemical therapy of the pelvic organs;
HIV-infected;
patients with diabetes;
with reduced immunity;
with reduced thyroid function.

Disease-provoking actions can be added to these risk groups. During a medical examination, minor damage to the vaginal mucosa can be obtained. The infection can penetrate through sexual contact without the use of a contraceptive. These reasons can also provoke senile colpitis or aggravate the form of its course. With additional factors that worsen the course of the disease, colpitis can go into a form that will give constant relapses (repetitions) after the stages of remission (recovery).

In order for the remission stage to last as long as possible, it is necessary to carry out treatment in a timely manner and observe personal hygiene. Unprotected sexual intercourse should be excluded, chemical flavored gels and bactericidal soaps should be abandoned. These funds contribute to the imbalance of the acid-base environment of the vagina. You should make an unambiguous choice in favor of underwear made from natural materials. Synthetics do not allow air to circulate freely, thereby creating all the conditions for the viability of bad microbes.

To diagnose senile (senile) colpitis, the following manipulations are performed in the gynecological office: examination with a mirror, determination of the level of acidity, and other tests. If necessary, cervical and vaginal secretions are diagnosed. This is done if there is a suspicion of specific factors for the occurrence and development of colpitis, for example, sexually transmitted diseases.

Treatment with the use of folk remedies

Non-traditional methods of treating various women's diseases are always offered and used as more gentle. Natural components do not harm other organs and systems of the human body.

With senile colpitis, the use of cauterizing liquids and ointments is prohibited, and it is also forbidden to use tampons. Douching with infusion or decoction of chamomile is shown. In case of senile colpitis, the vagina must be moistened with vitamin ointments. These can be ointments containing aloe juice, rosehip oil, sea buckthorn extract. You can use baby cream.

Colpitis of old age is successfully treated with herbs:

Mix 50 g of knotweed herb, 50 g of nettle (leaves), 10 g of cinquefoil root, oak bark and 20 g of chamomile (inflorescences). Put the dry mixture in a hermetically sealed dish so that moisture does not get in. From this mixture you will need 2 tbsp. spoons, which must be poured with a liter of water, boil and continue to cook for 10 minutes. For douching, it is necessary to cool the resulting therapeutic liquid, then strain. Douching is always best done before going to bed.
Chopped marigold flowers (medicinal calendula) pour a glass of hot (100 ° C) water and soak for one hour. You need to take 2 tbsp. spoons of calendula. Cool and then strain. Such an infusion of calendula is suitable for douching. It is also indicated for oral use (2 tablespoons or 5 teaspoons 2-3 times a day).
Place 20 g of immortelle (sandy) in boiling drinking water, leave for one hour. You need to take 0.5 liters of water. This medicinal infusion is used for douching.
It is necessary to take 1 tablespoon or 3 teaspoons (without top) of oak bark, grind well, pour a glass of boiling (100 ° C) water, hold in a water bath. Then insist the resulting liquid for 10-12 hours. Strain and douche. The duration of such procedures is 10 days.
A decoction of a mixture of such herbs and plants is very good: garden peony, creeping clover, white water lily, field cornflower, chamomile, willow (grass), cat's paws (flowers), garden rose petals, mountaineer. Everything is taken little by little and in equal amounts. A tablespoon is taken from this dry mass and poured with a liter of boiling water (100 ° C). It is boiled for 10 minutes, then allowed to brew and filtered. It is necessary to drink the received folk medicine before meals 3 times a day. Drink half a glass at the same time. You can also add honey or sugar. The course of treatment is 3 months, then a break is made for 2 weeks. After that, the treatment is repeated (3 months).

All folk methods are reduced to the use of various herbs in decoctions and infusions, the main action of which is the restoration of normal microflora.

Official medicine in the fight against the disease

Doctors prescribe etiotropic drugs or anti-inflammatory drugs for the disease. The use of candles is also effective.

At the next stage of treatment, priority is given to the exclusion of relapses.

Of the medical preparations, ovestin and estriol are used. Forms of their release - candles and ointments. They act on a specific organ or its area. In the form of tablets and patches, modern medicine offers estradiol, tibolone, angelik and other complex therapy drugs. Medicine also recommends phytoestrogens (herbal preparations). Hormonal treatment is designed for many years.

If frequent urge to urinate is observed, then antibiotics are prescribed: sulfanilamide, nitrofuran and others.

Candles are very effective in treatment. local action are prescribed by a doctor after a thorough examination and diagnosis. Candles are inserted into the vagina. They help reduce itching and burning, destroy bacteria alien to the body.

Colpitis is not a sentence. In order for life to be comfortable with him, it is necessary to fight this disease every day. Knowing the symptoms and ways to deal with the disease, you can cope with it.

Colpitis is an inflammatory change in the vaginal mucosa of an infectious origin. This disease affects mainly the fairer sex of childbearing age, but it does not bypass its attention, both girls and postmenopausal women. Colpitis in gynecology is diagnosed in 65% of patients and is considered the most common inflammatory pathology of the external genital organs.

What kind of disease it is, what causes and symptoms a woman has, and what treatment is most effective for a quick recovery - we will consider in the article.

Colpitis: what is it in women?

Colpitis is an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa or vaginitis. This is one of the most common diseases among women, predominantly of reproductive age. According to statistics, every 3rd woman in modern times suffers from various forms of colpitis, often without even knowing about it. Signs of the disease are profuse leucorrhoea, itching, pain in the vagina and lower abdomen.

Most often in gynecology, colpitis is understood as a lesion of the vagina, but inflammation can also pass to the external genitalia. Although the disease affects women more often, girls before the period of hormonal adjustment are also vulnerable to pathology.

The disease of colpitis in the international classification (ICD) has the code N70-N77, its second name is vaginitis.

The general condition of a woman can also suffer:

reduced performance,
sexual activity,
feeling worse.

All these processes are the result of inflammation of the vaginal mucosa, and the disease is called colpitis.

The reasons

The only cause of colpitis is infection. However, not all women have an infection in the vagina that provokes inflammation. A healthy vagina is able to cope with infectious aggression on its own.

The conditionally pathogenic flora is represented by microbes, which, in the normal state of immunity, are in balance with the usual flora, but the balance is very fragile. It is worth weakening the immune system and this flora becomes pathogenic.

If a woman is healthy, then the flora of the vagina consists mainly of vaginal Doderlein sticks, which produce lactic acid, which has a detrimental effect on various microbes.

The main reasons for the development of colpitis include:

Bacterial, fungal and viral infections (including sexually transmitted ones).
Various allergic reactions.
Medications for topical use (tablets and suppositories);
Chemical reagents used as douching solutions;
Foreign bodies.

Predisposing factors for the occurrence of colpitis are:

weak activity of the ovaries;
various anomalies of the reproductive system (omission of the walls of the vagina, displacement of the genital organs, wide gaping of the genital slit, etc.);
various diseases of internal organs and systems;
non-compliance with hygiene of sexual life (frequent change of partners);
non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
a change in the vaginal mucosa as a result of the irrational use of contraceptives, too frequent or incorrect douching, thinning of the mucous membrane during the postmenopausal period;
various injuries of the vagina (chemical, thermal or mechanical).

Colpitis can be caused by the following sexually transmitted diseases:

chlamydia;
trichomoniasis;
gonorrhea;

In each case, the pathogen enters the vaginal mucosa during unprotected sexual contact.

Kinds

Depending on the nature of the infection, colpitis is divided into 2 types:

Specific.
Non-specific.

According to the localization of the initial infectious focus, colpitis is divided into:

primary, when the process immediately develops in the vagina;
secondary, in case of ingestion of infectious agents into the vagina from other places (ascending - from the surface of the vulva and descending - from the uterine cavity).

The only symptom of colpitis present in any of its forms is pathological vaginal discharge, and their volume and appearance are determined by the causative agent of the disease. Purulent abundant discharge during colpitis more often indicates the specific nature of the inflammation.

acute form

The acute form can sometimes go unnoticed. With the reproduction of conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, reddening of the mucous membrane of the genital organs, burning and itching during urination, and profuse discharge are observed.

Chronic colpitis

What is chronic colpitis? When a woman ignores the symptoms during the acute course of the disease, the infection goes into a latent state, as a result of which the form of the pathology is transformed into a chronic one.

In addition, a chronic inflammatory focus is the entrance gate for other pathogenic (disease-causing) microbes and viruses. Yes, and it has been proven that it is chronic colpitis that significantly increases the risk of developing oncological diseases of the genitourinary system.

Atrophic colpitis

Atrophic colpitis (aka senile), as a rule, develops due to estrogen deficiency, which leads to a decrease in the secretion of the vaginal glands and thinning of the mucous membrane of the organ.

candida

Inflammation is caused by the reproduction of fungi, which, as a result of provoking factors, exhibit pathological activity (another name is yeast colpitis). Among the most striking clinical symptoms are cheesy discharge and itching. These fungi are opportunistic microorganisms and can be found not only in the vaginal cavity, but also on the oral mucosa or in the large intestine.

Trichomonas colpitis

What is this form? It is a widespread sexually transmitted disease. Often trichomonas colpitis in women is combined with inflammation of the urethra and cervix. Mostly the disease has a chronic course with occasional periods of exacerbations.

Symptoms of colpitis

The clinical picture of colpitis is largely determined by its origin and form, but does not differ in a wide variety of symptoms. Usually, colpitis of any etiology proceeds with a similar clinic, and their cause and form only affect its severity.

Vaginal discharge can be observed in any phase of the menstrual cycle and rarely depend on it. The nature of the discharge may be different depending on the cause of the disease. Light or milky discharge may be normal.
Bad smell- mostly unsharp, but sour;
Puffiness in the area of the external genital organs, their redness and irritation;
Feeling of itching and burning, which begins to increase during a long walk, as well as during a night's rest and in the afternoon;
Insomnia, increased irritability, neuroses caused by a complex of symptoms of the disease that constantly disturb a woman;
Intermittent pain with colpitis localized in the pelvis. They can intensify during the act of defecation or in the process of intimacy;
Frequent urge to urinate, in rare cases, urinary incontinence is observed;
Temperature rise body to subfebrile values.

	Women's symptoms
Acute colpitis
Chronic form	sensation of itching and burning;

However, with a long course of the disease, the signs of colpitis become less noticeable. However, after a cold, hypothermia, overwork, or after sexual intercourse, they can manifest themselves with renewed vigor.

Women's symptoms

Acute colpitis

discharge in large quantities (mucous, mucopurulent, sometimes bloody) with an unpleasant (sometimes fetid) odor;
itching and burning caused by the irritating effect of pathological secretions;
swelling and redness of the mucous membranes of the vagina and external genital organs;
pain in the lower abdomen and genitals (a feeling of fullness, pressure);
pain when urinating.

Chronic form

In the chronic form, the pain is insignificant or completely absent, the woman feels normal, but her libido decreases. The disease may be accompanied by:

secretion with an unpleasant odor of various colors and density;
sensation of itching and burning;
pulling pain in the lower abdomen;
discomfort during sex and urination.

Periodically, the symptoms disappear on their own.

Colpitis during pregnancy

The presence of an inflammatory process in the vagina during pregnancy contributes to discomfort. But this is not as scary as the consequences that may arise due to the presence of colpitis. The infection can cause a big blow to the health of the child, and the baby may also suffer during childbirth.

Most often, colpitis during pregnancy is fungal in nature, and it proceeds quite hard: with a large amount of discharge, severe swelling of the walls of the vagina, excruciating itching and bursting pain in the perineum.

From the vagina, the pathogen easily penetrates through the cervix into the uterine cavity and can lead to:

Intrauterine infection of the fetus with a delay in its development, pneumonia, lesions of the skin and mucous membranes;
Threat of abortion and miscarriage;
Inflammation of the placenta and fetoplacental insufficiency;
Tearing of the genital tract during childbirth;

Complications

The consequences in young women can be quite serious. In the absence of proper treatment, the inflammatory process covers other urinary organs and can lead to:

endometritis,
kidney diseases.

Such diseases cause damage to the reproductive system, up to infertility.

Prolonged lack of treatment increases the risk of complications. A guaranteed consequence of ignoring the disease is its transition to a chronic form, when periods of improvement at the slightest weakening of immunity are replaced by exacerbations of the woman's condition.

Diagnostics

Knowing what colpitis is in women, and suspecting the first signs of this disease in yourself, you must immediately visit a specialist. It is possible to reliably find out about the presence or absence of this disease in the body only after a diagnostic examination.

Before making a diagnosis of colpitis, the doctor collects an anamnesis and conducts a comprehensive examination of the patient, consisting of:

examination of the cervix, vaginal walls with the help of gynecological mirrors;
examination of the urethra, clitoris, labia, thighs for redness, swelling, cracks, ulcers;
palpation of the uterus, appendages to identify complications of vaginitis.

Required Research:

microscopy of secretions from the cervical canal, vagina and urethra for bacterial flora, including trichomonas, gardnerella, gonococci and fungi;
bacteriological seeding of native material with isolation of the pathogen and determination of its sensitivity to antibiotics (preferably not earlier than 3 weeks after taking antibacterial drugs);
smear for oncocytology
PCR - polymerase chain reaction, a research method that allows you to identify most infections;
cytology - the study of scraping of the mucous membrane of the cervix;
Ultrasound of the pelvic organs, which is prescribed to identify possible complications of colpitis.

general blood analysis;
general urine analysis;
blood test for RW, HIV;
sowing on gonococcus;
diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (herpes, papillomavirus, chlamydia, mycoplasma, ureaplasma);

Colpitis treatment

Treatment of colpitis in women involves the elimination of pathogens that caused the disease, the restoration of normal vaginal flora and the stimulation of immunity. Self-treatment of vaginitis is not allowed. Therapeutic measures are assigned to all patients, regardless of their age and form of the disease, the presence of concomitant pathology.

The general principles of colpitis treatment are:

etiotropic therapy;
treatment of the patient's sexual partners;
restoration of normal microflora of the vagina;
therapy of concomitant diseases;
dieting;
the use of physiotherapy;
folk methods.

Treatment should be general and local. The main task is the fight against the causative agent of infection. For this, the following groups of drugs are used:

Antibacterial (azithromycin, doxycycline, tetracycline, cefapexin);
Antiprotozoal (metronidazole) - for the treatment of trichomonas colpitis;
Antifungal (fluconazole, ketoconazole, nystatin) - for the treatment of candidal colpitis;
Antiviral agents (acyclovir, interferon).

Candles

Vaginal tablets and suppositories help locally disinfect the mucous membranes of the vagina and help normalize the microflora, restore the acidic environment. They greatly alleviate colpitis - treatment in women involves the introduction of the following drugs:

Iodoxide;
Betadine;
Nystatin;
Terzhinan;
McMiror;
Neotrizol;
Lomexin;
Fluomizin and the like.

Preparations for the restoration of flora

In the final stage of the treatment of colpitis, drugs are prescribed that help restore the natural flora of the vagina and increase its protective properties.

For this purpose, various drugs are used, in particular:

Acylac;
Vagilak;
Bificol;
Bifidumbacterin;
Lactobacterin.

Physiotherapy

To control the cure of colpitis, swabs are taken on the 4th-5th day of menstruation in women of the reproductive period, in girls and women in menopause - after the course of treatment. To prevent recurrence of the disease, the course of treatment should be repeated after 4-5 months.

As a rule, with timely seeking medical help and adequate fulfillment of all necessary appointments, the course of treatment for vaginitis is 5-7 days. During this period, experts strongly recommend refraining from sexual contact, and, if necessary, the treatment of the patient's sexual partner should be carried out at the same time.

Following the right diet

Compliance with the diet is necessary to strengthen the general condition of the body, the immune system, and the speedy recovery of damaged tissues. With colpitis, diet is not a mandatory item in complex treatment, so it comes down to some general recommendations.

Works great in the early stages. Take 40 grams of dried flowers and mix, and then pour half a liter of boiling water. Use a decoction for douching in the morning and before bed.
Yarrow herb
Can colpitis be treated? decoction of chamomile
tincture of calendula

Your diet should include foods rich in polyunsaturated acids - trout, fish oil, cod, salmon, linseed oil, tuna. With colpitis, a woman often suffers from a lack of vitamins, so you need to use the following products:

There is a lot of vitamin B in legumes, nuts, mushrooms, liver, garlic, spinach.
Vitamin A, E is found in seaweed, viburnum, broccoli, dried apricots, sorrel, spinach, prunes.
Vitamin C is found in strawberries, currants, oranges, sea buckthorn, strawberries, kiwis, and lemons.

Folk remedies

As a folk remedy for the treatment of colpitis, douching with decoctions of herbs with a wound healing and anti-inflammatory effect is used.

St. John's wort and calendula flower mix perfectly copes with vaginitis in the initial stages. Take 40 grams of dried flowers and mix, and then pour half a liter of boiling water. Use a decoction for douching in the morning and before bed.
Yarrow herb- 20 g, sage leaves - 20 g, pedunculate oak bark - 40 g, rosemary leaf - 20 g. Mix everything, pour three liters of water and boil. Apply twice a day for douching.
Can colpitis be treated? decoction of chamomile. To prepare it, you need to pour a tablespoon of chamomile flowers into the dishes and pour a liter of boiling water. After that, the dishes should be covered with a lid. When the infusion has cooled, it must be filtered. The prepared decoction is used for douching in the morning and evening.
Perfectly cope with this disease and tincture of calendula. It is prepared as follows: you need to take two teaspoons of calendula tincture, add it to half a glass of cold boiled water and use the resulting mixture for douching.
Take chamomile (5 teaspoons) + sage (3 teaspoons) + walnut leaves (5 teaspoons) + oak bark (2 teaspoons). A tablespoon of herbs is poured with a glass of boiling water. Infusion use for washing.

therapy is desirable both sexual partners, since the asymptomatic course of the pathological condition can provoke the development of the disease in the future;
it is necessary to meticulous intimate hygiene using antiseptics;
for the period of treatment, sexual intercourse should be completely excluded;
if a child is sick, you should wash him after each urination and defecation, and also make sure that he does not comb his intimate places;
linen needed wash with anti-allergic products that do not contain unnecessary additives;
diet is required (consume a large amount of fermented milk products, avoid spicy and salty foods), it is not recommended to drink alcoholic beverages.

Prevention

There is no specific prevention of colpitis, since this disease can be caused by many different causes. Nonspecific prevention includes a number of measures that significantly reduce the risk of developing colpitis.

You can reduce the risk of infection in the following ways:

Carry condoms with you to protect yourself when you are not sure about your partner.
Find out which products you are allergic to. Many contraceptive preparations contain allergens that can have an extremely negative effect on the genitals.
Be hygienic and buy a special washing gel, as a rule, it does not contain allergens and does not cause irritation.
Go to the gynecologist more often, and especially if you have even the slightest symptoms and discomfort.

Colpitis is a rather serious and unpleasant disease that brings a woman a feeling of discomfort. But you can cure this disease if you do not self-medicate and immediately contact a specialist.

Atrophic (senile) colpitis is a disease that is characterized by inflammation of the epithelium in the vagina, which occurs due to structural and functional changes.

Most common in postmenopausal women.

Due to a decrease in the level of estrogen production, associated with natural menopause or an artificially caused cessation of hormone production, this disease occurs.

Also, the disease is called senile colpitis, senile vaginitis.

Causes

The main cause of the disease is the lack of the hormone estrogen.

The production of hormones by the ovaries gives not only the ability to get pregnant and bear a child, but also maintains the entire genitourinary system in a certain state.

At a time when the production of hormones in the right amount stops, structural changes occur, including in the vagina.

The mucous membrane becomes thinner, the vaginal secretion ceases to be produced, this condition causes dryness. For this reason, even minor stretching leads to microtrauma.

Through these minor injuries, microorganisms enter, which cause swelling and inflammation.

Another reason is the change in the natural flora of the vagina during the postmenopausal period.

Lactobacilli die, so the acidity in the vagina begins to rise, which is an excellent environment for the development of coccal flora.

Causing factors for the onset of the disease

There are many factors that can cause senile colpitis in women. These include:

taking antibiotics, which are the natural bacterial flora of the vagina;
damage caused by mechanical means (tampons, contraceptives that are used for the vagina, any foreign body);
excessive or insufficient hygiene;
vaginal contrast shower;
lack of estrogen;
a variety of pathogenic organisms, for example, worms, gonococcal bacillus, staphylococci, herpes, treponema, E. coli and others;
use of poor quality underwear.

Risk group

The risk group who may experience age-related colpitis includes women:

after menopause;
with chronic diseases of the genitourinary system;
with reduced immunity (they also include carriers of AIDS);
with diseases of the endocrine system;
after surgery to remove the uterus or ovaries;
after radiation therapy in the pelvic region.

Symptoms

Senile colpitis is a specific type of inflammation of the vaginal mucosa associated with systemic hormonal changes in a woman's body. The term "senile" is equivalent to the definition of "senile", and the nature of inflammation in this disease is such that degenerative processes occur in the mucosa, therefore senile colpitis is also called atrophic.

This disease occurs in postmenopausal women when the balance between male and female sex hormones changes. The immediate cause of thinning and atrophy of the uterine epithelium is a significant decrease in estrogen levels.

Reasons for the development of atrophic colpitis

Key point: almost all cases of atrophic colpitis occur in women during menopause. Almost 45% of all women over 40 have senile colpitis. (cm. " ")

However, age and the associated menopause are not the only reason for the development of colpitis, although the most significant. There is a number of factors that significantly affect the likelihood of developing colpitis:

the presence of chronic diseases in decompensation that deplete the body (diabetes, for example);
HIV infection or AIDS;
insufficient hygiene of the external genitalia or, conversely, too frequent washing with soap;
removal of the ovaries, regardless of the reason for the operation;
thyroid diseases, which are accompanied by a decrease in hormone production;
wearing underwear made of low-quality synthetic fabric;
radiation or chemotherapy;
venereal infections.

Symptoms of senile colpitis

Atrophic colpitis is a disease that in any case has a chronic course. Atrophy of the mucosa, its thinning with loss of function always occurs gradually. Traditionally, all inflammatory diseases (with rare exceptions) are called chronic if their duration is more than 3 months. Senile colpitis can develop for years.

There can be no acute, obvious manifestations of chronic colpitis. The mucous membrane, changing, loses its properties, and the glands, which normally should produce a mucous secret (mucous membranes are not in vain called mucous membranes), cease to function. The mucous membrane of the inner lining of the vagina dries up, normal acidity is disturbed, all the characteristics necessary for the normal operation of all local defense systems and the vital activity of “healthy”, beneficial microorganisms change.

The main manifestations of senile colpitis are associated precisely with these two factors: with the drying of the mucous membrane and the change in the microflora of the vagina.

How can atrophic colpitis manifest itself? Of course, there are symptoms of this disease. But they are not even always noticed! We will now consider theoretically possible manifestations that are sometimes found in practice (usually atrophic colpitis does not particularly bother a woman). So, what can be observed with senile colpitis:

and in the vulva, perineum. As a rule, itching is not very pronounced (for comparison, we give in which this symptom can even cause insomnia) and is especially noticeable after intercourse, washing or long-term wearing of tight, uncomfortable underwear made of synthetic fabric.
Moderately pronounced burning sensation in the perineum (less often this sensation is clearly localized, and a woman may indicate a burning sensation in the vagina).
. Urine has a rather aggressive environment, therefore, when it enters an atrophied, vulnerable mucous membrane, irritation occurs, which is accompanied by pain. In addition, there may be frequent urge to urinate, urinary incontinence.
Often appear, which have a watery consistency and a strong, unpleasant odor. The secretions also cause irritation of the mucous membrane of the vagina and external genitalia.

Atrophic changes in the mucosa lead to the fact that local protective factors cannot perform a protective function. This leads to the development of secondary bacterial infections. In this case, all signs of an acute inflammatory process (fever, intoxication, pain syndrome, etc.) are also added to the clinical picture from the genital tract.

Diagnosis of the disease

The diagnostic process begins with a bimanual examination and examination in the mirrors. As a rule, these manipulations are combined with extended colposcopy - examination of the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix, probing of the cervical canal.

Gynecological examination allows you to determine the secretory function of the mucosa (with senile colpitis, the mucosa becomes dry, may be covered with erosion), the degree of the atrophic process, the presence of secondary infections or concomitant diseases.

It is important to measure the acidity (pH) of the vaginal environment. This indicator is an indicator not only of the loss of mucosal functionality, but also of the risk of developing bacterial vaginosis (dysbacteriosis) and secondary infections.

Treatment of senile colpitis

Since senile colpitis is a disease that is caused by a systemic disorder, a disorder of the endocrine glands, treatment should also be systemic (first of all!). Atrophic colpitis always has a chronic course, so treatment should be long and regular to ensure long-term remission.

Since the root cause of the disease is endocrine disorders, the basis of treatment is the use of hormonal preparations containing natural estrogens. In addition to the systemic intake of hormonal drugs, local preparations with estriol are often used - ointments and vaginal suppositories.

Changes in senile colpitis are associated with a decrease in local immunity, and the appearance of bacterial complications. This is the reason why antibacterial drugs are used in the treatment of atrophic colpitis. Most often, these are vaginal baths with antibiotics, but there may also be drugs for systemic administration.

Prevention

The main factor leading to the occurrence of atrophic colpitis is hormonal disorders associated with age-related changes. This is a factor that, alas, cannot be influenced. But, in addition to this, there are other factors that can be influenced.

Prevention of senile colpitis includes the following aspects:

adequate and regular intimate hygiene;
wearing high-quality underwear that does not cause inconvenience;
timely treatment of inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases of the genital organs - "neglected" diseases can lead to various complications, which may be the reason for an operation to remove the ovaries;
prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and their timely treatment.

Diagnosis of age-related atrophic colpitis, which gynecologists also call senile or chenille, is often placed on women who have crossed the 50 or 60-year mark. That is, those who have already come menopause.

This is a period in the life of every woman, which requires special attention and respect. The natural process of the extinction of the female reproductive system, those anatomical formations that make a woman a woman.

What happens in the body during menopause

During the reproductive period, a woman's ovaries secrete sex hormones - estrogens. They are responsible for the formation of the mammary glands, external genital organs and the femininity of the figure during puberty. There are receptors for these substances in almost the entire female body. Thanks to this, a woman before the onset of menopause is protected from coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Gradually, the reserves of eggs in the ovaries are depleted (menstruation stops), and the formation of hormones stops. The lack of estrogen causes all the characteristic changes for menopause. Dystrophic processes occur not only in the uterus and vagina, but also in other mucous membranes, bladder, pelvic floor muscles, skin, bones and blood vessels. Therefore, it is not uncommon for the manifestation of various diseases during the menopause.

It is necessary to distinguish between the concepts of menopause and menopause. Menopause is the last natural menstruation in a woman's life. This concept can be applied if there is no menstruation for 12 months. Menopause occurs at the age of 45-55 years, but there are early and late variants. The period before menopause is called premenopause and is characterized by irregular menstruation and its changes (scanty or heavy). The period after menopause is called postmenopause. It continues for the rest of a woman's life. The concept of menopause characterizes all of these periods together.

Symptoms of atrophic (chenille) colpitis or vaginitis

With age, there are symptoms such as a feeling of dryness in the vagina, unbearable itching and burning pains that occur after intercourse or on their own.

The occurrence of complaints is observed 3-5 years after menopause. They are due to a decrease in the synthesis of glycogen in the mucosa, a decrease in the number of lactic acid bacteria and a change in the pH of the vaginal environment from natural acid to alkaline. Under these conditions, microbial agents will often join, which causes an inflammatory process in the vagina. With frequent inflammation, scars and adhesions form. In this case, the urethral syndrome develops.

If these phenomena are accompanied by atrophic changes in the labia minora and sclerosis of the vulva, kraurosis of the vulva occurs. This condition is manifested by the resistance of symptoms to hormone therapy.

In conditions of reduced resistance, microbes (strepto- and staphylococci, bacteria of the Escherichia coli group) colonize the mucosa and form nonspecific colpitis - microbial inflammation of the vagina. In addition to microbes, colpitis is caused by various mechanical and chemical factors.

Senile colpitis in the acute stage is characterized by the severity of complaints (itching and burning, dyspareunia - pain during intercourse), as well as serous or purulent discharge from the vagina.

Often, damage to the vagina is accompanied by damage to the mucous membranes of the cervix or urethra. When examined by a doctor, the vaginal mucosa is edematous, bright red. There is bleeding on light touch. There are purulent accumulations on the walls of the vagina. In severe forms, mucosal defects are formed - erosion and ulcers. They are caused by desquamation of the epithelium and exposure of deeper tissues.

The chronic stage implies some subsidence of the inflammatory process. The main complaint in this phase is suppuration from the genital tract. Redness and swelling also decrease, and tender scar tissue forms at the site of erosion. Formed granulation colpitis.

What methods allow to clarify the diagnosis?

To diagnose this pathology, in addition to examining the vagina, a number of methods are used. To accurately determine the pathogen, methods of sowing discharge from the vagina, urethra and cervical canals are used. An important step in the examination is microscopy of smears from the vagina. It is used - examination of the mucosa through a lens system. By magnifying the picture several times, the doctor will be able to identify weak signs of inflammation and, which is important in the early diagnosis of tumors. Atrophy of the integumentary epithelium of the cervix after 40 years is a normal colposcopic picture.

A cytological study is underway. It is based on the determination of the morphology of the cells of the vagina. With menopause, an atrophic type of smear is often found. It implies the presence of epithelial cells from its various layers with signs of atrophy. In the results of the cytogram, there may also be such a thing as pseudokeratosis. Inflammatory infiltration indicates the activity of the process. These types of smears do not occur in women of reproductive age, but may be detected in those under 16 and over 55 years of age.

How and how to treat inflammation of the vagina from infections

Treatment of atrophic colpitis should be comprehensive, carried out under the supervision of a gynecologist. Therapy is aimed at combating infectious agents and concomitant diseases, increasing the body's resistance.

To reduce the microbial flora, douching with antiseptic solutions is locally prescribed ( Dioxidin, Miramistin, Betadine, Chlorphyllipt) 1-2 times a day. Long-term (more than 4 days) douching interferes with the restoration of the natural flora and acidic environment of the vagina, therefore it is not recommended.

Antibacterial agents can be administered topically and orally. Combined drugs are applied locally. They are in the form of a gel, suppositories, vaginal tablets. Widely used drugs: Terzhinan, Ginalgin, Neopenotran, Polygynax. These are the most effective vaginal suppositories. If intestinal flora is detected, use Metronidazole, Ornidazole, Betadine. Inside, antibiotics are prescribed with a pronounced process and strictly according to the sensitivity of the identified bacteria to antibiotics detected in the culture.

Eubiotics are used: Lactobacterin, Biovestin, Vagilak, Bifidumbacterin. They restore the natural flora and pH of the vagina. They are prescribed after a course of antibiotics.

As a non-hormonal prevention of relapses, the periodic use of suppositories with anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects is prescribed - Depantol and Methyluracil. Interestingly, methyluracil suppositories are used not only in gynecological practice, but also for the treatment of hemorrhoids, rectal fissures. In this case, they are used rectally.

To heal cracks on the dried mucous membranes of the labia and vagina, an ointment is used Pantoderm. It contains the substance dexpanthenol, known to many mothers of infants with skin problems. It is included in the popular Bepanthen cream.

These activities will relieve symptoms at any age. However, during menopause, the main mechanism for the development of diseases is estrogen deficiency. It is this component that is the target for the main treatment - hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Without hormones, it will not work to get rid of inflammation of the genital organs for a long time (and often they go further, to the urinary system, cause cystitis and pyelonephritis). And this is already dangerous.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Many patients at the doctor's appointment ask the following question: “For a long time I have been tormented by dryness in the vagina, due to which sexual intercourse has become impossible. Is it possible to restore the mucosa and resume sexual activity, what does this mean? Or is it too late and you need to reconcile?

The answer is simple: it is possible and necessary to fight this disease. Pharmaceutical companies offer a large selection of drugs for the treatment of estrogen deficiency. They contribute to the restoration of the normal epithelium and microflora of the vagina, increase the resistance of tissues to infection. But you need to accept the fact that the cure for 1 day will not happen. It will take at least 2-3 months before you feel the first improvements in your condition.

You should know that hormone replacement therapy is prescribed strictly on the recommendation of a doctor and only after a comprehensive examination. It is necessary to conduct an oncocytological examination of the cervix, ultrasound of the small pelvis, mammography. This is aimed at identifying neoplasms in these organs. The appointment of hormonal drugs in case of detection of a tumor can lead to its increased growth. In addition to tumors, pathologies of the blood coagulation system are excluded, otherwise the appointment of replacement therapy is fraught with the development of thrombosis.

Hormone replacement therapy is divided into local and general. The general one implies the appointment of hormonal drugs for oral administration according to certain schemes. They immediately enter the bloodstream, providing a systemic effect throughout the body. However, these funds are prescribed strictly according to the indications, and the need for their appointment is decided by the gynecologist in each case.

Local hormonal therapy is the only true and most preferred in the treatment of atrophic colpitis. Natural estrogen preparations are used. They are in the form of a cream or candles. it Ovestin, Estriol, Elvagin, Estrocad. Estrogen treatment has been carried out for many years, since withdrawal within 2-3 weeks will lead to the return of all symptoms present before treatment.

Since the drugs are quite expensive, and the treatment has an indefinitely long period, the therapy is carried out according to the appropriate schemes. There is a phase of intensive estrogen treatment and a phase of maintenance doses.

Treatment of atrophic colpitis using the example of Ovestin

Systemic treatment (ingestion of tablets). Intensive phase: 4 mg/day for 2 weeks, 2 mg/day for 1 week, 1 mg/day for 1 week. In the maintenance phase, the use of Ovestin is reduced to 0.5 mg / day every other day indefinitely.
local treatment. In addition to tablets, Ovestin is in the form of a cream or suppositories. Intensive phase: 1 dose of cream/suppository per day for 3 weeks, then 1 dose of cream/suppository every 3 days for 3 weeks. Maintenance phase: 1 dose of cream/suppository at night once a week indefinitely.

It is important to note that application of Ovestin locally is most effective. The drug is not absorbed into the blood, but acts on nearby tissues (vaginal mucosa, urethra, bladder). It is devoid of many of the side effects that occur when taking hormonal pills orally. Treatment is more effective the earlier it is started, and can continue indefinitely without harm to health. The drug is injected into the vagina at night. In addition, Ovestin cream is used during intercourse. It is important to use a special cream dispenser to avoid overdose.

Folk remedies for home use

They will not help restore the normal microflora of the vagina, only slightly alleviate the symptoms. The problem will remain if medical treatment is not carried out. Folk is suitable only as an addition or temporary measure before visiting a gynecologist and receiving a treatment regimen from him.

Sitz baths with chamomile

Baths with the addition of chamomile are a traditional remedy for the treatment of local irritation of the genital organs. They are practiced even when relieving inflammation in infants. Chamomile rarely causes allergic reactions. But it can lead to dryness of the mucous membrane, that is, worsen the course of atrophic colpitis if you take chamomile baths too often and for a long time.

Chamomile baths are available at home and are easy to make. 3-4 procedures are enough to make burning and swelling less noticeable. Medicinal chamomile flowers have a positive effect on the delicate microflora of the labia, gently eliminate discomfort due to antiseptic properties.

10 grams (2 tablespoons) of dried flowers of this plant must be poured with 1 liter of boiled water and heated for a couple of at least 10 minutes, then cooled to 35-38 degrees. Take sitz baths for 20-30 minutes. This decoction is also effective in the form of douching.

Candles and tampons with sea buckthorn

To cook it yourself, you need to transfer 200 grams (1 cup) of washed sea buckthorn berries into a thick gruel. Pour the resulting mixture with refined sunflower oil and leave for a week. In work, use glassware with a tight lid.

A gauze pad is soaked with the finished oil and placed in the vagina overnight. The course of treatment is 14 days.

An alternative is to use sea buckthorn suppositories vaginally. They are sold in pharmacies.

Mud swabs and applications

This procedure must be agreed with the gynecologist, since it has a number of contraindications. Mud tampons or a tube should be slightly warmed up to 38-42 degrees beforehand and slowly inserted into the vagina for 30-40 minutes. Tampons are advised to combine with a mud application on the lower back. After the time has elapsed, you need to remove the mud swabs, and rinse the vagina well with mineral water.

As a remedy, the mud of Lake Tambukan, located in the Stavropol Territory, is usually used. But other options are also possible. Mud therapy in gynecology is an unconventional way to treat and prevent women's diseases.

Baths with coltsfoot

Pour 100 grams of dried grass with 1 liter of boiling water, leave for about an hour and take sitz baths. Daily use only freshly brewed infusion. Treat for at least a month.

Herbal douching

Peeled chamomile - 25 g, dried forest mallow flowers - 10 g, dried oak bark - 10 g, sage leaves - 15 g. Mix all the ingredients, pour 1 liter of boiling water and let it brew. Strain the finished infusion and use it in the form of baths and for douching.

Summing up, I would like to note that menopause is an inevitability, a certain period in a woman's life. And it depends only on you what it will be. With the help of a competent doctor and special means, you can avoid many troubles and continue to enjoy life as before.

BUT for a snack we bring to your attention a video from the respected Elena Malysheva on the topic of atrophic vaginitis.