Menopause and Vaginal Changes

Menopause and vaginal changes are two natural events that every woman is going to face in their lifetime. Menopause represents the end of a woman’s reproductive years, marked by 12 months without a period after a continuous decline in estrogen production and ovarian function. ⁽¹⁾ Menopause can bring numerous vaginal and hormonal changes, leading to a plethora of frustrating changes and symptoms.

Dr. Silvia Rotemberg is a board-certified cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon at Rotemberg Plastic Surgery. As a woman herself, Dr. Rotemberg understands many of the changes her patients undergo, which is why she offers a wide selection of both surgical and non-surgical options to address the different changes of this significant life stage.

If you are ready to meet with her and start restoring your comfort, please request a consultation online or call our South Miami office at (305) 274-5170.

About Menopause and Vaginal Changes

Menopause and vaginal changes go hand in hand, and millions of women worldwide experience them each year. Menopause is the natural and permanent conclusion of a woman’s reproductive years due to declining estrogen levels and ovarian function.

This source will serve as a guide to what to expect during menopause, including the physical and hormonal changes you may experience. By understanding these processes and changes, you can better prepare and plan for treatment.

The Stages of Menopause

When most women think of menopause, they often only consider the moment when their periods cease. However, many menopausal symptoms either develop in the perimenopausal stage before menopause itself, or during the postmenopausal stage following it.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the transitional phase that takes place before menopause itself. During this phase, women will begin to experience menstrual irregularities due to the decline in ovarian function resulting from a decrease in both estrogen and progesterone production. Perimenopause lasts for an average of four to seven years, although some women may experience it for up to 14 years.

As this stage occurs, women can experience a range of different concerns, such as:

Additionally, certain studies have found that the severity of symptoms can vary across different populations of women, significantly impacting their personal comfort, well-being, and overall quality of life. ⁽²⁾

Menopause

Menopause is the natural and permanent end of menstruation and represents the end of a woman’s childbearing years. A decline in ovarian function, as well as an estrogen deficiency, causes this phase in life, and it is marked by the moment when you have gone 12 consecutive months without completing the menstrual cycle. Although, in rare cases, certain medical conditions or cancer chemotherapy may also cause menopause. Approximately 1.3 million women enter menopause each year, with most women developing it between the ages of 45 and 56. ⁽¹⁾

Postmenopause

Postmenopause is the phase directly following menopause, and upon reaching it, you remain in this stage for the remainder of your life. This phase brings several different effects, including concerns such as vasomotor symptoms, vulvovaginal atrophy, sexual challenges, dryness, and more. Like the other stages and symptoms of menopause, these stem from a decline in estrogen, and doctors base the diagnosis on the presence of symptoms. ⁽³⁾

How Menopause Affects You

Ovarian Changes

Every woman is born with a finite number of ovarian follicles and reproductive cells, and during menopause, the follicles age and structures within the ovaries change. As the number of follicles decreases, the ovary can no longer respond and regulate the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH). These are two hormones responsible for regulating your sexual development and ovarian cycle, and their internal levels will continue to rise without this regulation.

As this occurs, there is also a decrease in the overall quality and number of female reproductive cells. These are called oocytes, and they are a woman’s primary source of estrogen and progesterone. As menopause occurs, there will be very few viable oocytes left, and the ones that remain will likely degenerate before the ovaries release them. ⁽⁴⁾

Physical Changes

In addition to your ovarian changes, several physical changes may affect your genitalia. As menopause occurs, the vaginal tissues become thinner and drier, resulting in a loss of elasticity and barrier function. ⁽⁵⁾

Common Vaginal Concerns of Menopause

When menopause occurs, it brings a variety of frustrating symptoms, which can each affect your functionality, comfort, and overall quality of life. Most of these events are part of a condition called genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), and they can affect your physical tissue quality, sexual functionality, and bladder control. ⁽⁶⁾

Vulvovaginal Atrophy

Vulvovaginal atrophy, or vaginal atrophy, is the drying and thinning of the vaginal lining. This condition develops as a result of your estrogen levels decreasing, and it can lead to several concerns, including uncomfortable symptoms such as a lack of lubrication, soreness, burning or stinging, or vaginal spotting. Some women may also experience vaginal shortening or the recession of their labia minora, as well as an increase in their vaginal pH levels, leading to discolored or watery discharge. ⁽⁷⁾

Sexual Discomfort

During menopause, many women experience changes that affect their sexual function and pleasure. Declining hormone levels can impact the elasticity of your vaginal tissue, as well as the secretion of natural lubrication, leading to physical discomfort and a decrease in overall sensation. These changes may result in a reduction in blood flow to both the sexual organs and the vaginal area overall. ⁽⁸⁾

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. ⁽⁹⁾ It affects between 25% to more than 50% of menopausal women, and it frequently leads to embarrassment. ⁽¹⁰⁾ Genetics and age are the primary causes, and without treatment, it can lead to more prevalent issues, such as a reduction of the urethra or muscle weakness. ⁽¹¹⁾

Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that can occur anywhere along the urinary tract, but most often manifests in the bladder. These infections become more common and often recur because, as your estrogen levels decrease, they reduce certain antiviral and antimicrobial cells and peptides, impair your white blood cell functions, and alter the lining of your urinary mucosal barrier—collectively increasing the likelihood of UTIs. ⁽¹²⁾

Available Menopause Treatments

Dr. Rotemberg offers several different treatments to address the vaginal changes of menopause. When you schedule a personal consultation, she can help you determine the best approach for your case.

Surgical Intervention

Surgical intervention consists of augmenting and refining the vagina and its surrounding structures using incisions, sutures, and anesthesia. Dr. Rotemberg generally recommends these procedures to reduce physical discomfort caused by excess skin or elongated tissue.

Options include:

Laser Treatments

Laser treatments utilize cutting-edge, energy-based devices to restore the health and well-being of your vaginal lining and tissue. Dr. Rotemberg can use this technology to stimulate the production of new collagen in your targeted treatment area, leading to symptom alleviation and more elastic tissues.

Our current laser treatment is:

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a non-surgical treatment that can improve menopause symptoms. Dr. Rotemberg will place a small, rice-sized pellet beneath the skin, which will release testosterone or estrogen over the course of several months to balance hormone levels.

At Rotemberg Plastic Surgery, we offer:

Sexual Wellness Treatments

Sexual wellness treatments are non-surgical treatments that restore your comfort and confidence during intimate situations. These treatments consist of different injectables, hormone therapies, and laser treatments that can each improve your overall sensitivity, libido, and ability to orgasm.

Two of our more popular treatments include:

Cost of Menopause Treatments in Miami, Florida

The cost of your menopause treatment will vary depending on the type of treatment you undergo, the exact concerns you are addressing, and the number of treatments that Dr. Rotemberg performs. She will discuss the pricing of your procedure when she meets with you to establish your treatment plan. Dr. Rotemberg additionally offers financing for those interested.

To learn more about our pricing, please request a consultation online or call (305) 274-5170.

FAQ

References

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