Novo Nordisk A/S   Novo Nordisk Canada Novo Nordisk Canada
 
Send to a friendPrint

Treatment Options for Vaginal Atrophy


Life style modification

Quitting smoking may help

Regular vaginal sexual intercourse or manual stimulation may help protect against vaginal atrophy by increase blood flow to the vagina.

Vaginal moisturizer and lubricant

Vaginal lubricant and moisturizer are useful treatment to restore moisture in the vaginal area and may be useful in treating symptoms such as vaginal dryness and pain during sex. 

However they do not treat the root of the problem, the low levels of estrogen in the vaginal lining – so you may still experience painful sex.

Local vaginal estrogen replacement therapy

Local vaginal estrogen replacement therapy is an effective treatment for vaginal atrophy.  Vaginal estrogen will cause the vaginal lining to thicken, restore the vaginal pH to the level found before menopause, improve the appearance of the vagina and most importantly relieve symptoms.

SOGC Recommends local estrogen therapy as an effective treatment for Vaginal Atrophy.

There are several local vaginal estrogens options available.  These options fall into 2 different categories.

  • No additional Progestin Required
  • Additional Progestin Required

What does “Progestin Required” mean?

No Additional Progestin Required

 

Some absorption of the estrogen from the vagina occurs especially at the beginning of treatment when the vaginal epithelium is thin.  If during longer treatment with local vaginal estrogen, significant amounts of estrogen continue to be absorbed in the blood, this may lead to the growth of the uterus lining.  To prevent this growth of the lining, women who still have a uterus will need to take another medication called a progestin in combination with the local vaginal estrogen.  The role of the progestin is to prevent the growth of this lining. 

 

Your doctor may prescribe an additional medication called progestin to prevent the growth of the lining of the uterus.

 

There are options where local vaginal estrogen is absorbed minimally during long term treatment within the blood therefore not additional progestin is required.