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What Does Vaginal Atrophy Feel Like?

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Vaginal atrophy is one of the side effects of menopause. When a woman has adequate estrogen, all is well, but as soon as estrogen begins to decline, many negative consequences ensue. Vaginal atrophy is one of them. What does vaginal atrophy feel like?

Lack of Estrogen Causes Changes to the Vagina

Vaginal Atrophy word, medical term word with medical concepts in blackboard.The inside of a healthy vagina has moisture and a thick lining. Sexual intercourse is easy and pleasurable. During perimenopause and menopause women begin to have less of the hormone estrogen which can affect many normal functions including those of the vagina. Women can also have the same issues when undergoing cancer treatments or having their ovaries removed.

As estrogen declines, the lining of the vagina becomes thinner, and there is a lack of moisture and blood flow. This makes sexual intercourse at best, difficult, and at worst, impossible and painful. Talk with Clearwater Sex Health in Clearwater, FL for some solutions and treatments before it gets worse.

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause

Recently vaginal atrophy is being replaced by a new name, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, or GSM. This is to account for the urinary side effects that accompany menopause and vaginal atrophy due to the decline in estrogen.

What Are Common Symptoms of GSM?

The unpleasant symptoms of GSM and less estrogen include the following:

  • Vaginal dryness
  • Vaginal burning
  • Vaginal itching
  • Burning sensation with urination
  • Urinary urgency
  • Frequent urination
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Light bleeding after sexual intercourse
  • Discomfort or pain with intercourse
  • Decreased lubrication during intercourse
  • Shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal

Of course all these symptoms are troubling. They all add up to pain, irritation, and a lack of enjoyment during sexual activity. The itching and burning can occur at any time and the urinary issues can cause additional embarrassing situations.

Due to vaginal dryness, it becomes more difficult to initiate sexual intercourse and to reach orgasm. This can become a real problem between couples.

When you have vaginal atrophy (GSM) it feels like you have traded bodies with an old woman.

A thin, dry, and inflamed vagina is no picnic, but you don’t have to live the rest of your life with these limitations and discomforts.

Schedule a Vaginal Atrophy Consultation in Clearwater, FL

Contact our board-certified urologists at (727) 441-1508 for options to improve the unpleasant symptoms of vaginal atrophy.

Sources:

Vulvovaginal Atrophy – PMC (nih.gov)

Vaginal atrophy – Symptoms & causes – Mayo Clinic

5 Signs of Vaginal Atrophy: Women’s Healthcare of Princeton: Gynecologists (princetongyn.com)

Vaginal Health After Menopause: Common Issues and Solutions

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Menopause is a natural part of life, but the hormonal changes that come with it can bring some unexpected challenges—particularly when it comes to vaginal health. As your body adjusts to lower levels of estrogen, you may notice changes in your vaginal health that can affect your comfort, intimacy, and overall quality of life.

The good news? There are solutions to help you manage these changes and feel like yourself again! Let’s take a closer look at some common vaginal health issues after menopause and how to address them.

Hormonal Changes and Vaginal Health

During menopause, your body produces less estrogen, which plays a key role in maintaining vaginal moisture and elasticity. As estrogen levels drop, the tissues in the vaginal area can become thinner, drier, and less flexible. This condition is often referred to as vaginal atrophy or genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). These changes can lead to discomfort, especially during sexual activity, but they can also impact your day-to-day life.

Common Vaginal Health Issues After Menopause

  • Menopause concept.Vaginal dryness: One of the most common issues, vaginal dryness, can make everyday activities, like sitting or walking, uncomfortable, as well as cause pain during sex.
  • Vaginal itching or burning: Thinner, more fragile vaginal tissues are prone to irritation, leading to itching or burning sensations.
  • Pain during intercourse: As the vaginal walls become thinner and less lubricated, sex may become painful or less enjoyable.
  • Urinary symptoms: Many women experience more frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or urinary incontinence after menopause due to these changes in the vaginal and urinary tissues.

How Symptoms Impact Quality of Life

The symptoms of vaginal atrophy or GSM can vary in severity, but they all have the potential to impact your quality of life. Discomfort during everyday activities, along with the emotional toll of changes in your intimate life, can lead to anxiety, avoidance of physical intimacy, and even relationship strain.

Additionally, recurring UTIs or urinary issues can make some women feel like they’re constantly battling health problems, which can be frustrating and exhausting.

How Are Vaginal Issues Diagnosed?

If you’re experiencing vaginal health issues after menopause, it’s important to speak with an experienced physician like our board-certified urologists in Clearwater, FL.

Diagnosis typically starts with a discussion of your symptoms and a physical exam. Your doctor may also ask about your medical history and conduct a pelvic exam to assess the health of your vaginal tissues. In some cases, additional tests may be needed to rule out infections or other conditions.

What Are Treatments for Vaginal Issues After Menopause?

Fortunately, there are several effective treatments available to help manage vaginal health issues after menopause. These include:

  • Topical estrogen therapy: Applying estrogen directly to the vaginal area can help restore moisture and improve tissue health without the risks associated with systemic hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
  • Over-the-counter lubricants and moisturizers: These can help relieve dryness and make intercourse more comfortable. Look for products that are specifically formulated for vaginal health and are free from irritants.
  • Oral hormone replacement therapy (HRT): If vaginal symptoms are severe and other treatments aren’t effective, your doctor may recommend hormone replacement therapy to address the underlying hormonal imbalance.

Recent advancements in treatments for vaginal health after menopause include laser therapy, which uses targeted energy to stimulate collagen production and improve tissue elasticity.

Additionally, newer non-hormonal treatments, like vaginal DHEA suppositories, are showing promise for women who can’t or prefer not to use estrogen-based treatments.

Lifestyle Changes

In addition to medical treatments, certain lifestyle changes can help improve vaginal health after menopause:

  • Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps keep your entire body, including your vaginal tissues, hydrated.
  • Maintain a healthy diet: Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and flaxseeds, can support overall tissue health.
  • Regular physical activity: Exercise, especially pelvic floor exercises, can improve blood flow to the vaginal area and help maintain tissue health.

Vaginal Health Post-Menopause

Vaginal health after menopause is an important part of your well-being, and hormonal changes don’t have to mean constant discomfort or diminished quality of life! By understanding the common issues and exploring treatment options, you can manage these changes and maintain a healthy, comfortable lifestyle.

If you’re dealing with symptoms, remember that what you’re experiencing is natural, and you’re not alone! There are many successful treatment options available, and they make a big difference for women dealing with post-menopause challenges.

Schedule a Menopause Consultation in Clearwater, FL

Contact Clearwater Sex Health at (727) 441-1508 to schedule an appointment for diagnosis and treatment.

Sources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15500-vaginal-atrophy

https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/dont-ignore-vaginal-dryness-and-pain

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17761-energy-based-treatments-and-vaginal-rejuvenation

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy: What You Should Know

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Do you frequently need to urinate or do you strain to have a bowel movement? Maybe you feel constipated or leak urine or feces, and sometimes have lower back pain with no known cause. All of these issues may be due to pelvic floor muscle issues. Pelvic floor physical therapy might relieve some of these symptoms.

What Is Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?

Everyone has a pelvic floor, and like other types of physical therapy, its goal is to keep those pelvic muscles strong and pain-free.

As women, the pelvic muscles keep your bladder in place in the front and your vagina and rectum in the back. Your uterus is located at the top of the pelvic floor and is kept supported by muscles, tendons, and connecting tissue. Lastly, the pelvic floor muscles are attached to your tailbone and pubic bone.

If these important muscles become weak or do not work properly, this is known as pelvic floor dysfunction.

How Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Treats Pelvic Floor Dysfunction

woman doing pelvic exercise to strengthen core.This therapy strengthens and/or relaxes the muscles of the pelvic floor to improve your core, control urination, bowel movements, and sexual function. Both decreasing and increasing muscle tone can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Clearwater Sex Health customizes each patient’s pelvic floor therapy plan at our office in Clearwater, FL. Your visit will begin with a total assessment of all the muscles surrounding or attached to your pelvis. Next, your pelvic floor muscles will be assessed for tone, pain, and tenderness. Once the assessment is complete, you will be given a plan to address your individual symptoms.

A variety of treatments may be part of your plan:

Electrical Stimulation

Emsella is an FDA-approved treatment for incontinence in both men and women. It uses focused electromagnetic energy to stimulate, adapt, and remodel the pelvic floor muscles. This non-surgical and non-invasive procedure allows you to relax fully clothed in a private room during treatment.

Biofeedback

With this technique, our board-certified urologists will check the contraction of your pelvic muscles. Its purpose is to retrain those muscles. It will monitor how your exercises are proceeding and looks for improvement. Electrodes might be placed externally between your vagina and anus or they might use an internal probe to look at the tension and relaxation of the muscles.

Therapeutic Ultrasound

This is not the same as a diagnostic ultrasound. This ultrasound provides deep heat to the soft tissues like muscles, tendons, and ligaments with the goal of reducing inflammation, increasing circulation, and decreasing pain.

Manual Therapy

There are a number of manual therapies used to treat pelvic floor dysfunction like trigger point release. They are all designed to reduce chronic pain, release muscle tension, improve flexibility, break up scar tissue, and restore function.

Kegel Exercises

You might be familiar with these exercises to control urinary incontinence and pain during sex. These exercises contract and relax your muscles.

Expect that it will take a minimum of 6 to 8 one-hour sessions to see relief.

What YOU Can Do

There are ways you can assist with your plan and maintain improvements. They include the following:

  • Ask your care team to teach you and your partner how to perform self-massages.
  • Use any of the devices (biofeedback, electrical stimulator, etc.) at home on a regular basis.
  • Perform Kegel exercises as instructed.
  • Avoid straining when urinating or having a bowel movement.
  • Stay focused on healthy nutrition, sufficient water consumption, and regular exercise.
  • Try yoga, deep breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques.

In time you will become stronger, more fit, and pain-free.

Schedule a Pelvic Floor Therapy Appointment in Clearwater, FL

Contact Clearwater Sex Health at (727) 441-1508 if you want to begin pelvic floor physical therapy for your symptoms and regain control of your life.

Sources:

Dr. Jonathan Beilan Recognized as Center of Excellence for the AMS 700™ Inflatable Penile Prosthesis

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AMS 700 certification.Advanced Urology Institute today announced that Dr. Beilan has been designated as a Center of Excellence for the AMS 700™ Inflatable Penile Prosthesis (IPP) – a long-term treatment option for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).1

ED is a common condition that is estimated to affect more than half of men between 40 and 70 years old to some degree.2 ED can be brought on by a number of physical or psychological causes, which result in the inability to get and keep an erection firm enough for sex.3 This can limit intimacy, affect self-esteem and impact relationships.2,4 The AMS 700, manufactured by Boston Scientific, is designed to deliver a natural look and feel and can help patients resume sexual intimacy with their partners.1,5

The Center of Excellence designation recognizes achievement of program requirements, including experience with implanting the AMS 700 and commitment to continuously educating patients and the community about ED and available treatment options.​

“Being designated as an AMS 700 Center of Excellence is an important recognition for us and further supports our efforts to deliver treatment options for ED patients in the greater Tampa Bay area,” said Dr. Beilan, AUI.tenacio pump. “I’ve often referred to the inflatable penile prosthesis as the most spontaneous and reliable solution to ED. It will restore a couple’s sex life… all without medication side-effects or ongoing costs.1,5,6 In one study evaluating the AMS 700, 95% of patients and 90% of partners reported satisfaction with sexual intercourse.”5

The AMS 700 is designed for ease of use and a natural look and feel.1 It is currently used in urology practices throughout the U.S. and around the world. To date, more than 500,000 AMS 700 IPPs have been sold worldwide.1

For more information, visit the following links:

 

 

 

References

1 Data on file at Boston Scientific.

2 Feldman HA, Goldstein I, Hatzichristou DG, et al. Impotence and its medical and psychosocial results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. J Urol. 1994 Jan;151(1):54-61.

3 Erectile dysfunction. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776. Accessed January 2024.

4 DiMeo PJ. Psychosocial and relationship issues in men with erectile dysfunction. Urol Nurs. 2006 Dec;26(6):442-6.

5 Otero JR, Cruz CR, Gómez BG, et al. Comparison of the patient and partner satisfaction with 700CX and Titan penile prostheses. Asian J Androl. 2017 May-Jun;19(3):321-5.

6 Enemchukwu EA, Kaufman MR, Whittam BM, et al. Comparative revision rates of inflatable penile prostheses using woven Dacron® fabric cylinders. J Urol. 2013 Dec;190(6):2189-93.

CAUTION: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: These materials are intended to describe common clinical considerations and procedural steps for the use of referenced technologies but may not be appropriate for every patient or case. Decisions surrounding patient care depend on the physician’s professional judgment in consideration of all available information for the individual case.

Boston Scientific (BSC) does not promote or encourage the use of its devices outside their approved labeling. Case studies are not necessarily representative of clinical outcomes in all cases as individual results may vary.

Prior to use, please review the Instructions for Use for a complete listing of indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions and potential adverse events.

Indications for Use: The AMS 700™ Series Inflatable Penile Prosthesis product line is intended for use in the treatment of chronic, organic, male erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Contraindications: The AMS 700 Series Inflatable Penile Prostheses are contraindicated in the patients that have active urogenital infections or active skin infections in the region of surgery or (for the AMS 700 prosthesis with InhibiZone™ Antibiotic Surface Treatment) have a known sensitivity or allergy to rifampin, minocycline or other tetracyclines, or patients with lupus erythematosus because minocycline has been reported to aggravate this condition.

Warnings: Implantation of the device will make latent natural or spontaneous erections, as well as other interventional treatment options, impossible. Men with diabetes, spinal cord injuries or open sores may have an increased risk of infection associated with the implantation of a prosthesis. Failure to evaluate and promptly treat erosion may result in a substantial worsening of the condition leading to infection and loss of tissue. Implantation may result in penile curvature, or scarring. Pre-existing abdominal or penile scarring or contracture may make surgical implantation more complicated or impractical. If a hypersensitivity reaction develops to a device coated with InhibiZone, the penile prosthesis should be removed and the patient treated appropriately.

Precautions: Migration of the device components can occur if the cylinders are improperly sized, if the pump or the reservoir is not positioned properly, or if the tubing lengths are incorrect.

Potential Adverse Events: May include device malfunction/failure leading to additional surgery, device migration potentially leading to exposure through the tissue, device/tissue erosion, infection, unintended-inflation of the device and pain/soreness. MH-545408-AB

All images are the property of Boston Scientific. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

© 2023 Boston Scientific Corporation or its affiliates. All rights reserved. URO-1630601-AA JAN 2024

5 Key Benefits of Emsella for Urinary Incontinence

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Urinary incontinence is a common issue that affects many individuals, often impacting their daily lives and overall well-being. If you’re looking for an effective, non-invasive solution, Emsella may be the answer you’ve been searching for. Offered at Clearwater Sex Health in Largo, FL, this revolutionary treatment is designed to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and restore confidence in your everyday activities. Under the expert care of Dr. Nicole Szell, a leading urologist, you can find effective relief tailored to your needs. Continue reading “5 Key Benefits of Emsella for Urinary Incontinence” →

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) And Summer Heat: What You Should Know

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An occasional problem with sexual performance is nothing to be overly concerned about. However, if it persists and becomes more frequent, there might be something physical going on. If it occurs more repeatedly during the summer months, heat can be the culprit. Erectile dysfunction (ED) and summer heat: what you should know. Continue reading “Erectile Dysfunction (ED) And Summer Heat: What You Should Know” →

What Could Be Causing Recurring Kidney Stones?

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There are few things in life as painful as passing a kidney stone. If you have had one, you know. The problem is that once you have a kidney stone, you are likely to get another one. In fact, you have a 35 to 50% chance of having another within 5 years. Nature can be cruel. Why is this the case, and what could be causing recurring kidney stones?

Continue reading “What Could Be Causing Recurring Kidney Stones?” →

In-Office Erectile Dysfunction Treatment: LiSWT

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If you want to bring spontaneity – and fun – back to the bedroom, you should know about low-intensity shockwave therapy (LiSWT). This erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment that restores your ability to achieve erections naturally.

LiSWT ED therapy improves blood flow to the penis for stronger erections.

• No anesthesia

• No down-time

man talking to doctor

• No pain

• No medication or surgery

• No side effects

• In-office treatment sessions last 15-20 minutes

What to Expect:

Here’s what you can expect during each LiSWT treatment session:

1. Arrive at the AUI office for your 5-20 minute treatment session.

2. Once in the comfortable treatment room, your AUI provider will apply gel to your penis to improve the shockwave transmission.

3. Next, your AUI provider will use a wand to apply treatments to specific areas of your penis.

4. The gel is wiped away and you can immediately return to normal activity.

If you struggle with ED and are an appropriate candidate, LiSWT ED therapy can:

• Improve your performance

• Restore spontaneity

• Make sex fun again

Contact Clearwater Sex Health to schedule an appointment with Dr. Beilan to learn more about this groundbreaking erectile dysfunction treatment option.

The Relationship Between Peyronie’s, Low T, and Erectile Dysfunction

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There seems to be a link between Peyronie’s disease, low T, and erectile dysfunction, but it’s not entirely clear which comes first. The decreased rigidity, which naturally comes with ED, may be a risk factor for penile fractures, trauma, and Peyronie’s disease. Let’s learn more about the relationship between Peyronie’s, low T, and erectile dysfunction.

Continue reading “The Relationship Between Peyronie’s, Low T, and Erectile Dysfunction” →