What is Hormonal Atrophy?
Hormonal atrophy refers to the thinning, drying, and inflammation of tissues or organs due to a deficiency in hormones. The most commonly discussed type is vaginal atrophy, also known as atrophic vaginitis. This occurs when the vaginal walls thin and dry due to lower estrogen levels, most frequently after menopause.
Vaginal atrophy is a prevalent condition affecting many postmenopausal women. The reduced estrogen leads to:
- Thinning and drying of the vaginal lining: This makes the vagina more susceptible to irritation and infection.
- Inflammation: Causing discomfort and pain.
- Painful intercourse (dyspareunia): A significant concern for many women.
- Distressing urinary symptoms: Including urgency and frequency.
The Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vaginal-atrophy/symptoms-causes/syc-20352288 and Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15500-vaginal-atrophy both emphasize the link between decreased estrogen and the development of vaginal atrophy.
Treatment often involves hormone replacement therapy, such as vaginal estrogen cream, to restore estrogen levels locally. The FDA https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/estrogen-and-estrogenprogestin-drug-products-treat-vasomotor-symptoms-and-vulvar-and-vaginal-atrophy approves estrogen therapy for these conditions. Non-hormonal options are also available.
Other Forms of Hormonal Atrophy
Hormonal imbalances can also affect other tissues, leading to atrophy in various parts of the body. While vaginal atrophy is the most commonly associated condition with "hormonal atrophy", the impact of hormones, such as growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), on muscle metabolism plays a crucial role in muscle atrophy. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30390253/
