Suggest Treatment For Atrophic Vaginitis

Posted on Thu, 8 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 8 Jan 2015 Answered on

Thu, 5 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi , My name is XXXXXX. I am almost 68 years of age, and menses finished 20 years ago. I have never had any type of bleeding or vaginal infections. For the last 4-5 days, I have had a very light brown discharge from the vagina, more noticeable when I first get up in the morning. No noticeable odour. What could be the cause?

Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Atrophic vaginitis is the most likely possibility.

Detailed Answer:

Hello XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.

The most common reason at your age is a condition called - atrophic vaginitis.
After menopause, there is a deficiency of local hormones (estrogen), particularly in the vaginal tissues.
The vagina becomes dry, friable, brittle and easily prone to damage and spotting.
The condition can be diagnosed by internal evaluation by an OB - GYN.
Please get that done, and also a Pap smear and pelvic ultrasound scan.
Any kind of bleeding / spotting after menopause should not be ignored.
Treatment for atrophic vaginitis is in the form of local estrogen gel / cream and lubrication during sex.
All the best
Please feel free to discuss further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju