Clinical manifestations and evaluation of postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy.

INTRODUCTION: It is estimated that 50% of women will suffer a severe form of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) related to menopause. Equally, young women may temporarily present this clinical problem while receiving various pharmacological or endocrine treatments or radiotherapy. AIM: To determine clinical and diagnostic exams required to confirm the presence of VVA (also referred to as atrophic vaginitis, urogenital atrophy, or genitourinary syndrome of menopause) and rule out other genital or pelvic clinical conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature review searches were carried out on the main scientific article search engines (PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane) using different clinical terms, treatments or interventions and comorbidity related to VVA. RESULTS: The development and severity of VVA depend mainly on the duration of hypoestrogenism. Hypoestrogenism causes changes in the urogenital tissue, generating signs and symptoms, such as dryness, burning, soreness, itching, and irritation of the genital skin. The diagnosis can be made through anamnesis (patient history), questionnaires, physical exam, and, sometimes, complementary exams. Objective vaginal assessment is essential and can be completed with the Vaginal Health Index, the Vaginal Maturation Index, or vaginal pH in the absence of infection or semen. The exclusion of other vulvovaginal organic pathology is essential to reach an accurate diagnosis and provide adequate treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The specialist should be able to identify VVA, rule out other pathologies that make a differential diagnosis and conduct proper management.

Common Benign Chronic Vulvar Disorders.

Common benign chronic vulvar conditions include genitourinary syndrome of menopause (formerly called vulvovaginal atrophy), lichen sclerosus, lichen planus, lichen simplex chronicus, and vulvodynia. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause results from the hypoestrogenic state that leads to atrophy of normal vulvar and vaginal tissues. It is typically treated with lubricants, moisturizers, and intravaginal estrogen. Lichen sclerosus is an inflammatory condition characterized by intense vulvar itching. It is treated with topical steroids or, in some cases, topical calcineurin inhibitors. Patients with lichen sclerosus are at risk of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and should be monitored closely for malignancy. Lichen planus is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that can affect the vulva and vagina in addition to other skin and mucosal surfaces. The first-line treatment is topical steroids, and significant scarring can occur if left untreated. Lichen simplex chronicus manifests as persistent itching and scratching of the vulvar skin that leads to thickened epithelium. Breaking the itch-scratch cycle, often with topical steroids, is the key to treatment. Vulvodynia is a common vulvar pain disorder and is a diagnosis of exclusion. A multimodal treatment approach typically includes vulvar hygiene, physical therapy, psychosocial interventions, and antineuropathy medications.

Labial adhesion in a postmenopausal female: A case report.

RATIONALE: Voiding difficulty is more common in males, although it is not uncommon in females. Female voiding difficulty can be caused by iatrogenic, anatomic, and neurogenic factors, and specifically urethra stricture, impaired detrusor contractility, primary bladder neck obstruction, and detrusor-external sphincter dyssynergia. Labial adhesion is a rare cause of female voiding difficulty.The incidence of labial fusion has been reported to be 0.6% to 1.4% in children; however, the incidence in the elderly has yet to be fully elucidated. PATIENT CONCERNS: We present the case of a postmenopausal and sexually inactive 76-year-old female patient who had nearly total vaginal and urethral occlusion due to labial adhesion. She had no underlying diseases and came to our clinic with a 10-month history of voiding difficulty, postmicturition dribbling, and involuntary urinary leakage when getting up. DIAGNOSIS: A genital examination revealed nearly total fusion of the labia minor with only a 3-mm pinhole opening at the posterior end. INTERVENTIONS: Treatment included surgical separation, the local application of estrogen cream, and self-dilatation. She also received an antimuscarinic agent to treat overactive bladder secondary to bladder outlet obstruction which was caused by labial adhesion. OUTCOMES: No surgical complications occurred. Moreover, no labial adhesion or voiding dysfunction was found immediately after the surgery or after 6 months of follow-up. LESSONS SUBSECTIONS: Genital examinations are a basic but very important noninvasive skill for physicians. This case report highlights that genital examinations should be a priority for patients with gynecological or urological symptoms.

The importance of topical steroids after adhesiolysis in erosive lichen planus and graft versus host disease.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a postoperative steroid regimen in maintaining vulvovaginal architecture and vaginal patency following surgical adhesiolysis in severe erosive lichen planus (ELP) and genital graft versus host disease (GVHD). Sixteen women applied potent topical steroids to the vulva and vagina from 48 hours after surgery. Sexual and urinary function and vulvovaginal anatomy were assessed at 6 weeks, 6, 12 and 24 months. All of the patients had failed sexual function due to vaginal stenosis. Eleven patients were unable to have cervical smears and three had associated haematocolpos. Vaginal adhesiolysis achieving complete patency occurred in all patients with stenosis. Fifteen (93.7%) patients were compliant with the regimen. After two years, 12 (75%) patients had maintained complete vaginal patency. Four patients (25%) developed vaginal restenosis. This study demonstrates that the potent topical steroids used post-operatively are very effective in maintaining vaginal patency and function. Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Potent topical steroids are the first line treatment for ELP and GVHD and have been reported to be helpful after surgery to release adhesions. What do the results of this study add? Topical steroids used immediately after surgical adhesiolysis in patients with vulvo-vaginal lichen planus and graft-versus-host disease improves the outcomes and maintains function, which can give a prolonged benefit. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The use of potent topical steroids should be considered as routine practice after surgery in erosive inflammatory disease to control inflammation and improve the long term outcomes for these patients.

Treatment to External Labia and Vaginal Canal With CO2 Laser for Symptoms of Vulvovaginal Atrophy in Postmenopausal Women.

Background: Increasingly, women have sought alternatives to traditional options (lubricants, estrogen products, and hormone replacement therapy) for unwelcome vaginal changes of menopause. Objectives: This study evaluated whether a series of three monthly fractional CO2 laser treatments significantly improves and maintains vaginal health indices of elasticity, fluid volume, pH level, epithelial integrity, and moisture. Self-reported symptoms of vaginal atrophy were also measured. Biopsy samples after a series of three treatments were evaluated for histological changes to vaginal canal tissue. Methods: Forty postmenopausal women were treated extravaginally and internally with a fractional CO2 laser. Objective measurements of vaginal health index, as well as subjective measurements of symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA), urinary incontinence, and sexual function were reported at baseline. Follow-up evaluations were at one, three, six, and 12 months after the third treatment. Results: Vaginal health index improved significantly after the first treatment and was maintained with mean improvement of 9.6 ± 3.3 (P < 0.001) and 9.5 ± 3.3 (P < 0.001) at the 6- and 12-month follow ups, respectively. Vaginal symptoms of dryness, itching, and dyspareunia improved significantly (P < 0.05) at all evaluations. Histological findings showed increased collagen and elastin staining, as well as a thicker epithelium with an increased number of cell layers and a better degree of surface maturation. Conclusions: Fractional CO2 laser treatments were well tolerated and were associated with improvement in vaginal health and amelioration of symptoms of VVA. Histological changes in the epithelium and lamina propria, caused by fractional CO2 laser treatments, correlated with clinical restoration of vaginal hydration and pH to premenopausal levels.

The impact of CO2 laser for treatment of Bartholin's gland cyst or abscess on female sexual function: a pilot study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the sexual functionality before and after treatment of Bartholin's gland diseases (BGD) with CO2 laser and to compare our results to patients who underwent surgical cold knife and to a healthy control group (HCG). Consecutive patients (n = 15) affected by BG cyst or abscess who underwent CO2 laser treatment were evaluated. Patients were asked to complete the Italian translation of the Female Sexual Functioning Index (FSFI) before and 4 weeks after treatment. Results after CO2 laser were compared with two control groups: patients affected by BG cyst (n = 15) or abscess treated with surgical cold knife treatment and a HCG (n = 18). A statistically significant advantage of CO2 laser versus cold knife treatment in terms of lubrication, pain and global score were recorded. Both the single scores of five domains and total score of FSFI were globally higher after any treatment compared to before (CO2 and cold knife) of BGD. According to our data, CO2 laser therapy is often well tolerated by patients and correlated with a favorable sexual health recovery.

Primavera: A new therapeutical approach to vulvo-vaginal atrophy.

Vulvovaginal atrophy is a condition that affects women, although it is mainly associated with the onset of menopause mainly due to hormonal changes vulvovaginal laxity and mucosal atrophy can also affect women at different life stages such as after pregnancy or for cancer patients who have undergone chemo or endocrine therapy. This condition negatively influence quality of life, sexual desire, and self-confidence. Many therapies have been considered mainly with inconclusive or transient results in terms of benefit factor. Recently, a new non-invasive product, containing hyaluronic acid, oligopeptides, and antioxidants was introduced to the market. Its name is "Primavera," by Renaissance, Italy. The aim of this product is to allow a vulvo-vaginal biostimulation and considered simple, safe, and satisfactory.

Management of Menopausal Symptoms for Women Who Are at High Risk of Thrombosis.

For women at elevated risk of thrombosis, clinicians are challenged to relieve menopausal symptoms without increasing the risk of thrombosis. Oral menopausal hormone therapy increases the risk of venous thromboembolism by 2-fold to 3-fold. Observational studies suggest less thrombotic risk with transdermal therapies and with progesterone over synthetic progestogens (progestins), but the data are limited. Beneficial nonpharmacologic therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy and clinical hypnosis, whereas beneficial nonhormonal pharmacologic therapies include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For treatment of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause, vaginal lubricants and moisturizers, low-dose vaginal estrogen, and intravaginal dehydroepiandrosterone are options.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause: an overview of clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, etiology, evaluation, and management.

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause, a new term for a condition more renowned as atrophic vaginitis, is a hypoestrogenic condition with external genital, urological, and sexual implications that affects >50% of postmenopausal women. Due to sexual embarrassment and the sensitive nature of discussing symptoms, genitourinary syndrome of menopause is greatly underdiagnosed. The most up-to-date literature pertaining to clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, etiology, evaluation, and management of genitourinary syndrome of menopause is comprehensively reviewed. Early detection and individually tailored pharmacologic (eg, estrogen therapy, selective estrogen receptor modulator, synthetic steroid, oxytocin, and dehydroepiandrosterone) and/or nonpharmacologic (eg, laser therapies, moisturizers and lubricants, homeopathic remedies, and lifestyle modifications) treatment is paramount for not only improving quality of life but also for preventing exacerbation of symptoms in women with this condition.

Vaginal Health During Breast Cancer Treatment.

There are increasing numbers of breast cancer survivors. Chemotherapy or endocrine therapy result in effects on vaginal health that may affect quality of life. These effects may impact sexual function, daily comfort, or the ability to perform a pelvic examination. Vulvovaginal atrophy, or genitourinary syndrome of menopause, may be treated with nonhormonal or hormonal measures. Breast cancer survivors who are menopausal and/or on endocrine therapy should be screened for issues with vaginal health and counseled about treatment options.

Remission, Relapse, and Persistence of Vulvodynia: A Longitudinal Population-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Vulvodynia has been considered to be a chronic disorder. We sought to estimate the probability of and risk factors for remission, relapse, and persistence among women screening positive for vulvodynia. METHODS: Survey-based assessment in a longitudinal population-based study of women (the Woman to Woman Health Study) who screened positive for vulvodynia and completed at least four follow-up surveys. Outcome measures included remission without relapse, relapse (after remission), and persistence of a positive vulvodynia screen. Multinomial regression was used to assess factors associated with outcomes. RESULTS: Of 441 women screening positive for vulvodynia during the study, 239 completed 4 additional surveys. Of these, 23 (9.6%) had consistently positive vulvodynia screens, 121 (50.6%) remitted without relapse, and 95 (39.7%) relapsed following remission. Overall, factors associated with both relapse and persistence (compared with remission alone) included increased severity of pain ever (p < 0.001) or after intercourse (p = 0.03), longer duration of symptoms (p ≤ 0.001), and screening positive for fibromyalgia (p < 0.001). Factors associated with persistence (but not relapse) included more severe symptoms with intercourse (p = 0.001) and pain with oral sex (p = 0.003) or partner touch (p = 0.04). Factors associated with relapse (but not persistence) included having provoked pain (p = 0.001) or screening positive for interstitial cystitis (p = 0.05) at first positive vulvodynia screen. Demographic characteristics, age at pain onset, and whether vulvodynia was primary or secondary did not predict outcome. CONCLUSION: Remission of vulvodynia symptoms is common with approximately half of remitters experiencing a relapse within 6-30 months. Persistence without remission is the exception rather than the rule. Pain history and comorbid conditions were associated with the more severe outcomes of relapse and/or persistence compared with those who remitted only. These findings provide further support that vulvodynia is heterogeneous and often occurs in an episodic pattern.

Sexual well-being in patients with vulvar disease: results from a preliminary prospective matched case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Only a few studies have focused on the description of sexual well-being in patients with vulvar disease (VD). The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that VD patients have an overall impaired sexual well-being that varies depending on the type of VD. STUDY DESIGN: An observational, prospective, single center and 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted in Nantes University Hospital (France). All new patients attending the specific consultation for VD between June 2011 and January 2013 were included. A control group was randomly selected from women who had a scheduled consultation for gynecologic follow-up. A validated French version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used. This self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all case and control women. VD was classified into 4 groups: inflammatory, (pre)malignant, infectious, and other VD. Descriptive statistics and multivariate mixed analyses were performed. RESULTS: Seventy-two VD patients and seventy-two control women completed the FSFI questionnaire. The median FSFI score was 21.1 in the VD patients versus 28.1 in the control patients. In the multivariate analysis, the FSFI score was significantly decreased by an average of 4.5 points (p=0.003) in the VD patients. On the FSFI subscores, VD had significant impacts on items related to "arousal", "pain", "lubrication", "satisfaction", and "desire". When comparing the VD groups, the total FSFI score seemed lower for (pre)malignant VD. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study showed that VD patients had an impaired sexual well-being.

A 12-week treatment with fractional CO2 laser for vulvovaginal atrophy: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to assess the efficacy and feasibility of fractional CO2 laser in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: VVA symptoms were assessed before and after three applications of laser over 12 weeks in 50 women (age 59.6 ± 5.8 years) dissatisfied with previous local estrogen therapies. Subjective (visual analog scale) and objective (Vaginal Health Index Score, VHIS) measures were used during the study period to assess VVA. Quality of life was measured by using the SF-12. A subjective scale to evaluate the degree of pain related to the laser application and the degree of difficulty to perform the laser procedure was used. RESULTS: Fractional CO2 laser treatment was effective to improve VVA symptoms (vaginal dryness, vaginal burning, vaginal itching, dyspareunia, dysuria; p < 0.001) at 12-week follow-up, as well as the VHIS (13.1 ± 2.5 at baseline vs. 23.1 ± 1.9; p < 0.001). Both physical and mental scores of quality of life were significantly improved in comparison with baseline (p < 0.001). Satisfaction with the laser procedure was reported by 42 women (84%) and a minimal discomfort was experienced at the first laser application, mainly because of the insertion and the movements of the probe. Finally, the technique was very easy to perform in all women starting from the second application at week 4 and no adverse events were recorded during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: A 12-week treatment with the fractional CO2 laser was feasible and induced a significant improvement of VVA symptoms by ameliorating vaginal health in postmenopausal women. Further controlled studies should be performed to confirm the present data and to assess the long-term effects of the laser procedure on vaginal tissues.

Complicated rectovaginal fistula secondary to Bartholin's cyst infection.

Rectovaginal fistula formation secondary to Bartholin's cyst is a very rare complication, and to date only three cases were reported in the literature. We report a case of a 32-year-old woman who suffered recurrent episodes of Bartholin's cyst infection with subsequent abscess formation that resulted in rectovaginal fistula formation. We treated her initially with transperineal repair; however, the fistulous tract recurred a month later. A laparoscopic colostomy and transperineal repair using biological graft was then performed, with excellent results. The patient underwent reversal of colostomy after 2 months, and remained asymptomatic upon follow-up 12 months later.

Female-specific pruritus from childhood to postmenopause: clinical features, hormonal factors, and treatment considerations.

There have been considerable advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of pruritus in recent years. The purpose of this review was to highlight itch entities in women, and in particular pruritic vulvar dermatoses that women experience among different age groups. Unique temporal shifts may contribute to the etiology of many of these conditions. These changes lead to cyclical changes in the skin's basic composition. Specifically, estrogen receptors have been detected on keratinocytes that respond to rising and falling levels of estrogen. These receptors lead to changes in skin hydration, collagen content, and in the concentration of glycosaminoglycans that form the skin barrier. In addition, hormonal pH changes associated with the menstrual cycle may be an important factor in the aggravation of itch as increasing pH is known to activate the proteinase-activated receptor-2, a well-known itch mediator. Common pruritic conditions in women that will be discussed include atopic and irritant dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, infectious vulvovaginitis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, atrophic vulvovaginitis, squamous cell carcinoma, lichen simplex chronicus, and neuropathic itch. We also examine pruritic conditions associated with pregnancy including pemphigoid gestationis, polymorphic eruption of pregnancy, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and atopic eruption of pregnancy. Finally, acceptable and contraindicated antipruritic agents in pregnancy are examined.

Crohn disease and the gynecologic patient.

Although Crohn disease (CD) is considered an inflammatory bowel disease, extraintestinal gynecologic manifestations are varied, frequent, and oftentimes difficult to manage. Its predilection for young and reproductive-age women makes it an important disease process for the gynecologist to understand, as its complications can have long-term repercussions on the developmental, sexual, reproductive, and psychological health of affected women. Patients may present with a variety of vulvovaginal, perineal, perianal, and urologic complaints. Perianal involvement from an intestinal fistula is the most common skin manifestation seen in CD. Other gynecologic manifestations include metastatic CD and rectovaginal and urovaginal fistulas. Recognition and accurate diagnosis of extraintestinal gynecologic manifestations, as well as a good understanding of the gynecologic effects of chronic disease, are necessary for optimal management. The article provides an overview of CD and highlights the gynecologic considerations in caring for women affected by this disease.

Labial adhesion causing voiding but not sexual problems in a married woman.

A married woman of reproductive age had labial adhesion with voiding difficulty. She and her husband had not been bothered by their inability to engage in sexual intercourse for the 10 years of their marriage. Surgical incision and reconstruction disclosed the normal vaginal vestibule and urethral meatus. Six months after surgery, her labium was fully open without recurrence. We must be aware that labial adhesion may occur and be hidden in a woman of reproductive age, even when the patient does not notice any 'abnormality' in her genitalia.

An unusual site for calciphylaxis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Calciphylaxis is a rare condition characterized by calcification of the tunica media of small arteries with or without endovascular fibrosis, extravascular calcification and vascular thrombosis, leading to tissue ischemia and hence necrosis of tissues supplied by respective vessel. CASE REPORT: An 83-year-old lady presented with a 2-week history of rapidly progressing painful necrotic vulval lesion. This patient was being treated medically with bisphosphonates for mild hypercalcaemia secondary to a parathyroid adenoma. The diagnosis of calciphylaxis was made by biopsy of lesion, revealing extensive necrotic areas and multiple abscesses with numerous thrombosed and calcified blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows an unusual presentation of calciphylaxis, in a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism, in the absence of end stage renal failure. The pathogenesis of the condition is still relatively unknown. Particularly of note in this case is the presentation of the lesion 9 months after the start of treatment with bisphosphonate after the relative decrease of serum parathyroid levels and serum calcium levels. This leads to the question of initiation of the pathology - did the bisphosphonate treatment have an input in initiation of the lesion? The case under review adds a new differential diagnosis to necrotic vulval lesions, other than malignancy.