Colpitis in the elderly and its treatment. Atrophic colpitis: symptoms and treatment in women, features of the disease

Women of reproductive age, for one reason or another, often encounter gynecological problems. Medical statistics says that at least once every second woman has encountered a disease such as colpitis. Let's consider the causes of its occurrence, symptoms of colpitis, diagnostic methods and treatment regimens, and also find out what impact this pathology can have on the bodies of a pregnant woman and unborn child.

Colpitis, what is it?

Colpitis in women is inflammatory process, developing on the vaginal mucosa. Only in isolated cases is colpitis a single isolated inflammatory process. In most cases this pathological condition occurs simultaneously with inflammation of the mucous membranes of the external genitalia (with vulvitis), the canal of the uterine cervix (with endocervicitis) and/or the upper membranes of the urethra (with urethritis). In fact, colpitis can be considered one global problem, consisting of many smaller problems. Colpitis includes not only the notorious vaginal candidiasis (typical thrush), but also more dangerous STDs (which are sexually transmitted) that affect the mucous layers of the vagina, thereby provoking the development of inflammatory processes of various sizes in them.

Causes of colpitis in women

The development of the disease occurs due to the entry of various pathogenic microorganisms into the vagina (pinworms, gonococci, trichomonas, ureaplasma, Proteus, Gardnerella, E. coli, staphylococci, streptococci, chlamydia, fungi of the genus Candida. Various viruses, such as papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, can also cause colpitis or herpes virus.

Microorganisms can get onto the mucous membrane in various ways: with unwashed hands, with insufficiently thorough hygiene of the genital organs, with stale underwear. Also, the inflammatory process can be triggered by prolonged mechanical irritation of the mucous layers of the vagina. This often occurs among women whose doctor has prescribed them to wear rings, which protect the vaginal walls from falling out. Interestingly, colpitis can be diagnosed not only in adult women and girls. This pathology is often found in childhood for girls 4-12 years old. The cause is most often the flow of blood in the genitals during diseases such as measles, influenza and scarlet fever.

But you need to keep in mind that a woman is never in completely sterile conditions, so the entry of pathogenic bacteria into the body is normal and natural. A healthy female body is able to independently get rid of pathogenic microbes without any negative consequences. In view of this, several factors predisposing to infection with colpitis can be named:

Decreased functional activity (hypofunction) of the ovaries.

Chronic diseases various systems and organs.

Abnormal structure of the organs of the reproductive system (this may include prolapse of the vaginal walls, displacement to the side of the genital organs, wide gaping of the genital slit, etc.).

Sluggish vaginosis of bacterial origin (can occur as a result of improper douching, use of potent antiseptic drugs, illiterate use of intrauterine contraceptives, as well as due to the natural physiological thinning of the vaginal mucosa in the postmenopausal period).

Women who have a history of various diseases are at risk genitourinary system and those who regularly use intrauterine devices. The risk of “catching” colpitis is also high in women who have several sexual partners.

Doctors know cases of senile colpitis. In older women, the vaginal mucosa, due to age-related hormonal changes, becomes dry and “shrinks,” which can trigger the onset of an inflammatory process.

Symptoms of colpitis in women

Symptoms of the disease vary depending on the type of pathology. Colpitis can be acute and chronic. Let us consider in detail the characteristic symptoms for each type of colpitis.

Acute colpitis

Symptoms of acute colpitis occur unexpectedly. Suddenly, the woman begins to feel characteristic pain, itching and burning in the vaginal area. Intense discharge appears, the nature of which can be different: from mucopurulent to pronounced purulent with an admixture of blood. The lower abdomen may feel a little tight. Often during urination the intensity discomfort increases. The mucous membranes of the vagina change their normal pinkish color to bright red, and visible swelling appears. Even the slightest mechanical impact can cause bleeding of the vaginal mucosa. Often the inflammatory process spreads to the cervix and other female genital organs. Symptoms of the development of colpitis are strictly individual and depend on which pathogen caused the disease. For example, colpitis caused by Trichomonas is manifested by purulent discharge from yellow to green; it can be foamy and have a strong unpleasant odor. At the same time, fungal colpitis is characterized by discharge of a light shade, even closer to white, with a cheesy consistency.

Often, colpitis is characterized by symptoms of vulvovaginitis, the development of which is very rapid: irritation from the vagina quickly spreads to the genitals and soon even affects the surface of the thighs and buttocks. The unpleasant symptoms of colpitis always suppress sexual attraction women. Sexual intercourse becomes painful and can cause bleeding due to mechanical damage to the inflamed vaginal walls.

Chronic colpitis

The transition from an acute form of the disease to a chronic one occurs for only one reason: the woman did not take measures to treat the acute course of the pathology or self-medicated. The last option, like the first, is absolutely unacceptable, because the activity of the infection is suppressed, but its presence is not excluded. That is, the inflammatory process remains. Symptoms of chronic colpitis are most often erased, not clearly expressed, but exacerbations periodically occur. The signs of chronic colpitis are the same as those of the acute form of the inflammatory process, but they are sluggish. The main danger of this form of pathology is that the inflammation gradually moves from the vagina to fallopian tubes, ovaries and the uterus itself. This can lead to problems with conception, that is, infertility.

I would also like to dwell on the peculiarities of colpitis in female representatives of non-reproductive age.

Colpitis in childhood

Doctors officially call childhood colpitis vaginitis. According to statistics, every fifth girl aged 4-12 years has been diagnosed with an inflammatory process in the vagina at least once. In the vast majority of cases, vaginitis in childhood is provoked by an infection of bacterial origin on the vaginal mucosa. Rarely does the inflammatory process develop as a consequence allergic reactions for food products or hygiene products intolerable to the child’s body. Most often the disease occurs in chronic form, which in this case is characterized by not too abundant purulent-mucous discharge. Acute vaginitis in girls is quite rare; it can be triggered by diseases of infectious origin and foreign bodies entering the vagina.

Colpitis in postmenopausal age

Women of non-reproductive age after menopause also experience colpitis. Doctors usually call this disease atrophic colpitis in older women. The development of this pathology is due to the fact that with the onset of menopause, the level of sex hormones in the body decreases, accordingly, the activity of the ovaries becomes less and less active, and the vaginal mucosa dries out, atrophic changes appear. At the beginning of the development of the inflammatory process, the symptoms are not pronounced, but gradually they increase: characteristic pain and pain in the vagina appear, the area of ​​the external genital organs itches, and there may be purulent discharge, sometimes with blood.

Diagnosis of colpitis

Usually, it is not difficult for an experienced gynecologist to diagnose colpitis. The patient is examined on the chair using standard gynecological speculums. The acute course of colpitis is always visually noticeable: the vaginal mucosa has a bright, uncharacteristic shade for a healthy person. The folds of the vagina are quite loose, thick, and there is swelling. Serous or purulent plaques are often observed. If the doctor tries to scrape off the plaque, the integrity of the tissue will easily be damaged and begin to bleed. Particularly severe, advanced cases of colpitis are manifested by erosion of the epithelium upon visual examination.

The chronic form of colpitis is somewhat more difficult to diagnose due to the fact that the defectiveness of the vaginal mucosa in this case will be much less pronounced.

But in order to make an accurate diagnosis, one examination in the mirror is not enough. On at the moment to make the correct diagnosis, and, therefore, to prescribe adequate, effective treatment, doctors use a diagnostic method such as colposcopy. The procedure is carried out using a special device - a colposcope, which looks very similar to a laboratory microscope. With its help, the doctor is able to perform a thorough examination of the vagina and cervix under multiple magnification. Modern colposcopes make it possible not only to display a clear picture on the screen, but even to record a video, which almost completely eliminates the possibility of making an incorrect diagnosis in the patient. During diagnosis with a colposcope, the woman does not experience any pain.

In addition to colposcopy, every woman with suspected colpitis must undergo microscopy of smears from the urethra, vagina and cervical canal. The result of these tests reveals the number of leukocytes in the smear. Nonspecific colpitis is characterized by a large number of them (30-60 or even more in the field of view), as well as increased content cells of descended epithelial tissue. In the conclusion to this laboratory analysis, the number of lactobacilli will also be indicated (with colpitis it invariably decreases) and the presence of “foreign” microflora.

The patient is also prescribed bacterial culture and bacterioscopic examination of smears. These tests make it possible to identify pathogenic microorganisms (to establish their grammatical identity, types, nuances of morphology). In acute colpitis, large associations of a wide variety of bacteria are most often found.

If there is a suspicion of concomitant gynecological pathologies, the specialist prescribes an ultrasound diagnosis of the pelvic organs to the patient.

Modern gynecology offers patients with colpitis general and local therapy. Tactics and treatment regimen in each clinical case selected by a specialist on a strictly individual basis. The type of pathology, the presence of associated gynecological problems, the woman’s age, as well as her medical history.

Local treatment of colpitis involves sanitation (douching/washing) of the vagina and external genitalia with special solutions of certain medications. Most often this is a solution of potassium permanganate (the notorious potassium permanganate), zinc sulfate, chlorophyllipt or a solution of rivanol. As a supplement, it is recommended to use decoctions of herbs that have antiseptic properties (for example, chamomile or sage).

General therapy includes restorative treatment, the purpose of which is to increase immunity. After all, as mentioned above, the low protective ability of the female body is the right path to health problems, including colpitis.

During diagnosis, the doctor determines the type of bacteria in order to treat them with antibacterial drugs during the treatment process. Antibiotics can be prescribed either topically or orally, and in some cases, both.

The patient is required to adhere to a special diet. The diet excludes dairy and fermented milk products and dishes, and also minimizes the amount of salty, fatty and spicy foods consumed. Also, during treatment, alcoholic and sweet carbonated drinks are completely excluded.

To reliably assess the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment, vaginal smears are taken from the patient at regular intervals for analysis. In patients of childbearing age, a smear is taken on the fifth day of the cycle; in young patients, as well as in the elderly, a control smear is taken after completion full course therapy for colpitis.

Treatment of atrophic colpitis

Since the reason for the development of colpitis in the postmenopausal period is a hormonal imbalance, gynecologists use hormone therapy to treat this problem in mature women. Treatment with hormone-containing drugs is carried out in two ways. The first treatment option is local therapy. Tablets and vaginal suppositories are used. The second method is systemically, that is, taking tablets (orally, of course) and injections. The most effective and widely used drugs for the treatment of colpitis are considered to be Gynodian Depot, Ovestin and some others.

The following methods are used as auxiliary therapy:

Physiotherapeutic procedures (most often this is a magnetic laser effect on the external genitalia).

Treatment of the vagina and labia with soda solution.

The use of vaginal suppositories with sea buckthorn oil.

Treatment of both acute and chronic colpitis involves complete abstinence from sexual intercourse until the tests return to normal and the symptoms of the disease disappear.

Treatment regimen for colpitis

Specific treatment

Etiotropic treatment depends on the pathogen that caused colpitis. Drugs and treatment regimens for colpitis are presented in the table.

Treatment of vaginal dysbiosis

After specific treatment, it is necessary to restore the normal microflora of the vagina, for this purpose the following drugs are used:

- (lyophilisate of live bifidobacteria) vaginally 5-6 doses, diluted boiled water, 1 time a day for 5-8 days or 1 vaginal suppository 2 times a day for 5-10 days;

- (lyophilized microbial mass of active strains of bifidobacteria and Escherichia coli) - vaginally 5-6 doses 1 time per day for 7-10 days;

- lactobacterin(lyophilisate of live lactobacilli) - vaginally 5-6 doses, diluted with boiled water 1 time per day, 5-10 days;

- colibacterin dry(lyophilisate of living bacteria) - vaginally 5-6 doses 1 time per day for 5-10 days;

- Vagilak(Lactobacillus acidofilus - 18 mg, Lactobacillus bifidus - 10 mg, yogurt culture - 40 mg, whey powder - 230 mg, lactose - 153.15 mg) - 1 capsule in the vagina 2 times a day for 10 days;

- acylac- 1 vaginal suppository at night for 10 days;

- "Simbiter-2"(one dose contains 1000 billion living cells of microorganisms of a 25-strain probiotic culture) - the contents of the bottle, previously diluted with boiled water (1:2), are administered intravaginally for 10-15 days.

Vitamin therapy for colpitis

Multivitamins in courses (Vitrum, Centrum, Uni-cap, Multitabs);

Riboflavin 0.005 g 2 times a day;

Ascorbic acid 200 mg with tocopherol acetate 100 mg 3 times a day.

Colpitis and pregnancy

During pregnancy, the female body experiences very serious stress, so the immune system often malfunctions. A pregnant woman is always more vulnerable than a woman who is not pregnant. Colpitis in itself cannot become an obstacle to successful conception. And in fact, this disease in itself is not scary for a pregnant woman. But not everything is so simple. The consequences that may occur can be very dangerous for the unborn child. For example, with colpitis there is a very high risk of developing an ascending infection, when the fetus from the mother can be infected during its intrauterine life. The danger is also natural childbirth, when a child becomes infected from his mother as he passes through her birth canal. Pregnant women experiencing colpitis should keep in mind that the inflammatory process in the vaginal mucosa can cause miscarriage. Often, amniotic fluid also becomes infected, which can lead to the development of a variety of pregnancy complications, ranging from polyhydramnios to premature birth of a not always healthy child.

Despite the fact that a large number of medications for the treatment of colpitis are prohibited for use during pregnancy, this problem must not be ignored under any circumstances! At the first manifestations unpleasant symptoms colpitis, you need to seek help from your local gynecologist. Usually the problem is quickly resolved with the help of immunomodulating drugs and local antibacterial agents. It is also recommended to resort to recipes traditional medicine- use douching and washing with decoctions medicinal herbs. A specialist will tell you which ones exactly.

There is a category of women who, after the onset of artificial or physiological menopause, experience problems in the vaginal area. There are suspicions about atrophic (senile), which only women experience, colpitis. They may feel itchy and dry. Discharge, both purulent and bloody, is possible. Pain is felt during sexual intercourse. In this case, they are diagnosed with Atrophic (senile) colpitis". What are these symptoms? How to treat? How to avoid the appearance of such symptoms, which are possible in forty percent of cases? Just carefully study the material presented below, which will tell you in detail about what it is.

Usually occurs in women who are already over forty when menopause occurs. Forty percent of patients suffer from this disease. Usually develops atrophic (senile) female colpitis several years later, or rather five or six, after menstruation has ended. Usually the disease is accompanied by pathology in the vaginal area, when the face becomes dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. All sexual relations take place with pain, they are accompanied by bloody discharge.

Appearance atrophic (senile) female colpitis contributes to menopause, which awaits every woman, as well as the consequences of irradiation of the ovaries.

But main reason can be called hypoestrogenism, which is represented by a deficiency of the hormone estrogen. It is in this case that a number of unpleasant consequences occur.

Symptoms of estrogen deficiency

• stopping the secretion of vaginal fluid,
• thinning of the epithelium,
• decreased protection against dryness,
• increased vulnerability.

When glycogen disappears from the vagina, which is accompanied by a change in the biocenosis, as well as an increase in acidity, which causes irritation and, as a result, unpleasant discharge, microtraumas are possible. This becomes a direct path to infectious diseases. For example, inflammation of the mucous membrane may occur. So it becomes recurrent, which affects the speed of the disease.

If a woman has an early physiological menopause, then she has every chance to earn money for herself atrophic (senile) painful colpitis. Diabetes and hypothyroidism patients are also at risk. In any case, if the ovary has been removed or disabled, then the disease is simply inevitable. You should also strive to avoid wearing synthetic underwear and use soap or gel with fragrances when maintaining intimate hygiene.

Usually the disease passes slowly, which indicates an easy transmission of the disease. A woman may not feel anything at all. In this case, scant mucus secretion is observed. There is a danger of cutting and even burning pain in the vaginal area when urinating. Possibly urinary incontinence when it is cold, when physical exertion occurs. Particular discomfort occurs when using scented soap.

Since the mucous membrane is vulnerable, this may cause discharge of bloody epithelium, especially during sexual intercourse. This is observed both during bowel movements and when taking mucus for a smear. Since cracks may appear, barely noticeable at first, there is also a danger of secondary infection. And this leads to even more unpleasant consequences.

When the disease becomes widespread, muscles atrophy bladder and pelvis, which leads to increased urination. During sexual intercourse, a woman experiences discomfort, pain and discomfort.

Diagnostics a trophic (senile) colpitis

To make a diagnosis: atrophic (senile) colpitis, you must first conduct a gynecological examination of all organs. To do this, examine the smear microscopically and cytologically to find out what the acidity is in the vagina. An extended colposcopy should also be performed.

It is possible to use a gynecological speculum during the examination. This way you can reveal the pallor of the mucous membrane, which will indicate its insufficient supply of moisture. Cracks, places without epithelium that begin to bleed at the slightest touch may be barely noticeable. It is for this reason that when sexual relations the woman experiences pain, and blood flows, as during menstruation.

Diagnosis for re-infection

If re-infection has already occurred, then hyperemia can be detected in the vagina. Grayish deposits will be noticeable on the surface, purulent discharge. As a result, cervical atrophy is possible. Its dimensions change dramatically. It becomes as small as a child's. As a result, the vaginal vaults can completely heal.

Therefore, when colposcopy is performed, you should pay attention special attention on petechiae and pallor of the mucous membrane against the background of dilated capillaries. If you conduct a Schiller test, it will be found that the surface, if you have atrophic (senile) female colpitis, slightly stained with blood.

Acidity test (pH)

When tested for acidity, the pH index will reach seven, whereas it is usually no higher than five and a half. It turns out that atrophic (senile) colpitis on the face. As a rule, a smear shows that the basal layer predominates, that the number of leukocytes is increased, while there are almost no vaginal rods at all.

It is best to identify a disease in yourself only by diagnosing a secondary disease, in particular, accompanied by sexually transmitted diseases, for example, gonorrhea, syphilis and others.

If you have been identified atrophic (senile) colpitis, then it’s time to start treating him. To do this, you need to restore the epithelium on the walls of the vagina. In this case, recurrent vaginitis will be prevented. Hormone replacement therapy can be performed to help treat this disease.

It is possible to insert suppositories into the vagina or apply ointment for fourteen days. Atrophic (senile) painful colpitis can be cured with Angelica, Tibolone, Indivin, Climodien, Cliogest, estradiol and other medications. They are used as tablets or patches.

Systemic treatment

Systemic treatment helps long time. But the drugs must be used not just once, but for five years to avoid relapses. Atrophic (senile) colpitis in women it is also treated with medications that have vegetable origin. In other words, they need phytoestrogens.

Colpitis as an additional pathogen

If colpitis appears as a result of an additional pathogen, then it is necessary to carry out therapy, which is local and can be etiotropic. In case of incontinence or frequent urination, it is necessary to take uroseptics, which will protect the woman from wet shame.

Whether treatment is effective or not often depends on how often colposcopy is performed. In other words, it is important to carry out a cytological examination as often as possible, which will show vaginal acidity. If it is not possible to take the estrogen hormone because breast cancer is observed, or bleeding or, conversely, thrombosis is possible, then it is best to use a syringe, as well as baths with calendula, chamomile and St. John's wort - herbs that locally relieve inflammation.

What to do to warn atrophic (senile) complex colpitis? To do this, you need to be constantly monitored by a gynecologist, who can promptly give a referral for the appropriate examination. This is especially important for those who have already gone through menopause. Atrophic (senile) colpitis can be prevented if you use hormonal drugs. In this case, you will avoid osteoporosis, heart disease and other diseases that appear in women after menopause. Atrophic (senile) colpitis- this is only the beginning into the world of diseases; if you get rid of it, you will get rid of all other associated diseases.

As we have seen, the disease atrophic (senile) female colpitis develops in forty percent of females. This suggests that it is important to know the symptoms of the disease in order to begin treatment on time. Here we can also mention prevention, since regular examination by a gynecologist largely weakens the future course of the disease. It is also important to know how to be treated. There are a number of medications for this, and also use common herbs such as chamomile, sage, calendula and others that relieve inflammation. Once you are diagnosed, you will know exactly what and how to treat. Atrophic (senile) colpitis – this is something that can be prevented. Keep this in mind when visiting a gynecologist regularly. And also go to the doctor on time, do not make the disease worse.

Inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. In women who have entered the postmenopausal period, the likelihood of developing atrophic colpitis increases many times over. The pathology is mainly associated with a significant decrease in the production of the hormone estrogen. The disease may also be referred to in medical documentation as atrophic postmenopausal vaginitis, senile, age-related or senile colpitis.

Reasons

Senile colpitis most often occurs in old age. Approximately 10 years after the complete cessation of menstruation, signs of atrophic changes are detected in almost half of women, and the likelihood of the disease increases every year. The risk of development also occurs in young women who experience artificial menopause after removal of the ovaries or their irradiation.

The main reason is hypoestrogenism, that is, low estrogen levels. The lack of these sex hormones leads to the following changes in the vaginal mucosa:

• Slowing down and gradual complete cessation of epithelial proliferation.
• Thinning of the mucous layer.
• Reduced secretion production by the glands.
• Reducing the number of lactobacilli, disrupting microflora and the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis.
• Increased dryness and vulnerability of the inner walls of the vagina.
• Activation of opportunistic flora.

Injury from gynecological instruments during an examination, microtraumas received during sex, contribute to the penetration of infection deeper, and then an inflammatory reaction develops.

The risk group includes patients with diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism and other endocrine pathologies, with a weakened immune system and HIV infection.

Promotes the occurrence of senile colpitis frequent use scented gels and soaps for intimate hygiene, wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics, insufficient genital hygiene, frequent sexual intercourse.

Symptoms

The disease develops slowly and at the very beginning there are no obvious signs of senile colpitis. A woman may periodically pay attention to itching and pain in the vagina, which sometimes increases after intimate hygiene with soap. As pathological changes intensify, more pronounced signs of the disease begin to appear, these include:

If even one symptom is observed for a long time, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a gynecologist.

Diagnostics

A gynecologist can make a diagnosis based on a combination of complaints and factors predisposing to the development of senile vaginitis. To confirm the diagnosis, a number of examinations are prescribed:

To exclude the development of vaginitis under the influence of specific pathogens (trichomoniasis, candidiasis), it is necessary to take tests to detect infection.

Treatment

The main treatment for atrophic colpitis is replacement therapy with hormonal agents. Its main goal is to restore the trophism of the vaginal mucous layer and prevent exacerbations of inflammation. Estrogens are prescribed up to 5 years.

• When prescribing hormonal replacement therapy choose drugs such as Angeliq, Estradiol, Climodein, Tibolone and a number of others.
• To eliminate the inflammatory reaction, suppositories or ointments are prescribed - Estriol, Ovestin.
• If there are a large number of injured areas of the mucous membrane, Methyluracil suppositories are prescribed for better healing.
• Phytoestrogens – hormones of plant origin – are recommended for use.
• If contraindications to the use of hormones are identified, baths made from a decoction of chamomile, St. John's wort, and calendula are prescribed. Douching can also be done with these decoctions. You can read more about treatment with folk remedies at the link.

In a video clip from a popular program, you can learn in detail about the causes, symptoms and treatment of atrophic vaginitis:

Prognosis and possible complications

The course of atrophic colpitis is generally favorable, but during relapses the quality of life suffers greatly. The atrophic process can spread to the cervix and its body. An unpleasant consequence of senile vaginitis is urinary incontinence, which increases as the pathology progresses.

Prevention

Prevention involves taking special hormones at the onset of menopause. Non-specific preventive measures also include good physical activity, lack of bad habits and extra pounds, rational and healthy eating. Compliance with all hygiene rules and wearing underwear made from natural fabrics.

Wavebreakmedia/depositphotos.com, lanakhvorostova/depositphotos.com, edesignua/depositphotos.com

This disease is manifested by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the vagina against the background of a decrease in the level of sex hormones - estrogen, in a woman’s body.

Despite the fact that vaginitis during menopause usually occurs accompanied by moderately severe symptoms, it still gives the patient a lot of unpleasant sensations. We will try to understand what age-related colpitis is and how to treat this condition with experienced gynecologists-endocrinologists at the NEOMED medical center.

Signs of colpitis in older women

Every postmenopausal woman knows about the characteristic manifestations of this condition - dryness, burning and itching of the genitals, as well as the whole complex hormonal symptoms. In the background general changes in the body, patients often do not even suspect that they have an inflammatory process of the vagina.

Characteristic signs senile colpitis:

• discomfort in the genital area– the itching and burning mentioned above. They are also accompanied by dry mucous membranes and moderate pain in the vaginal area;
• tissue hyperemia– the mucous membranes of the genital organs, including the external ones, become red, signaling the spread of inflammation;
• unusual discharge– the nature and consistency of the discharge depends on the infectious pathogen that caused vaginitis, however, abundant curdled, putrid and mucous discharge mixed with blood is often observed;
• pain when urinating and during sex– any pain causes physical activity and contact of the genitals with the liquid environment.

Age-related vaginitis also causes general weakness and irritability of the fair sex, but these signs are lost against the background of general menopausal manifestations.

Causes of age-related colpitis

If in young women the inflammatory process of the vagina develops mainly as a response to a pathogenic infectious agent, then age-related vaginitis is associated primarily with hormonal changes. Against the background of a sharp decrease in estrogen levels, rapid depletion of the vaginal mucous membranes occurs. This process is accompanied by a significant change in the quantitative composition of the natural microflora of the vagina. First of all, the number of vaginal bacilli and lactobacilli that produce lactic acid is reduced. The acidity of the mucous membranes is lost and the pH of the environment almost doubles to pH 5.0-7.0.

The acidic reaction of the membranes of the genital organs serves as the main deterrent for the development of opportunistic vaginal flora - Candida yeast, Escherichia, E. coli, etc. When this protective mechanism is lost and the mucous membranes begin to deplete, all these normal inhabitants of the vagina begin to actively grow and multiply , causing inflammation. In some cases, pathogenic microorganisms - Trichomonas, ureaplasma, chlamydia, etc. - can also serve as the root cause of the infectious-inflammatory process.

It is important to note that the described form of vaginitis sometimes affects young women if they have the following risk factors:

1. immunodeficiency states;
2. endocrine pathologies – diabetes mellitus, obesity, work disorders thyroid gland;
3. patients who have had their ovaries removed;
4. women who have undergone radiation and radiotherapy.

Failure to comply with the rules of intimate hygiene and wearing tight synthetic underwear are also factors that provoke a violation of the composition of the vaginal microflora.

Diagnosis and treatment of age-related colpitis in women

A gynecologist can make a diagnosis based on a standard examination and determination of the pH level of the vagina. Bacterioscopic and bacteriological examination of a smear helps to determine the specific pathogen and its sensitivity to antibacterial drugs. An additional diagnostic measure is an extended vaginal colposcopy.

The main direction of treatment for colpitis in older women is hormone therapy. Gynecologists prefer to prescribe natural estrogens. Local application of antibacterial ointments and gels is also prescribed, which are selected individually, taking into account the sensitivity of the identified pathogen. Baths with decoctions and infusions of herbs that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects have a positive effect. Additionally, a set of restorative therapy measures is being developed, which includes taking multivitamins and normalizing the diet.

Experienced gynecologists of the multidisciplinary medical center of the European level of service NEOMED will help diagnose and treat age-related colpitis in women.