Dr. Steven R. Goldstein MD Menopause and vaginal atrophy
A follow up to the last article regarding an early symptom of Menopause – vaginal dryness by Dr Steven R. Goldstein, a top doctor for menopause in NYC. In this article we’ll address vaginal atrophy. When a woman’s ovaries cease producing estrogen, she enters menopause. Without any estrogen in menopause the vagina becomes atrophic (the tissue wastes away). It loses blood supply and elasticity. It also loses its normal pH (acid/base balance) because it cannot support the normal predominant bacteria called lactobacillus that feasts on glycogen and produces lactic acid, thus lowering the pH. Estrogen stimulates the creation of the vagina’s tough, outer layer of cells, known as the epithelium, that protects the delicate tissues underneath. It also moistens the vaginal mucus membranes, which increases lubrication. Dr Steven R. Goldstein is a Menopause Specialist in NYC who has helped thousands of women over his 25+ years in private practice and overcome the symptoms of Menopause and lead a better quality of life, including a normal sex life. Recent studies have shown that as many as 50% of postmenopausal women are not aware that there are treatments that are safe to treat this atrophy. They believe this is just a function of, “getting older.” Thus, many women “suffer in silence” and, if still partnered, are experiencing painful intercourse. However, there are several helps for vaginal atrophy. First, there are very low dose estrogen creams, also tablets and rings. There is also now one oral non-estrogen,