Involutive changes in the vulvovaginal area

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Abstract

Involutional changes in the vulvovaginal area involve a series of transformations leading to vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) during menopause. Signs and symptoms most often observed in this syndrome: vaginal dryness (54.4–100%), dyspareunia (17.6–77.6%), burning (2.0–56.9%), itching (7.8–56.6%) and dysuria (5.9–36.1%). Other complaints include deformity of the vulva, irritation, and recurrent bacterial infections of the urinary tract or vagina, and yeast infection. Vaginal dryness, dyspareunia and irritation are the symptoms that most affect a woman's quality of life.

The article analyzes modern ideas about the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. The questions of the mechanisms of occurrence are considered, a description of the clinical picture is given. The issues of treatment of atrophy of the vulvovaginal region are discussed in detail, in particular, special attention is paid to physiotherapeutic methods of treatment.

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About the authors

Sergei I. Surkichin

Central State Medical Academy of Department of Presidential Affairs

Author for correspondence.
Email: surkichinsi24@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0521-0333

MD, Cand. Sci. (Med.), Associate Professor

Russian Federation, Moscow

Larisa S. Kruglova

Central State Medical Academy of Department of Presidential Affairs

Email: surkichinsi24@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5044-5265
SPIN-code: 1107-4372

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.)

Russian Federation, Moscow

Inna A. Apolikhina

National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after V.I. Kulakov

Email: surkichinsi24@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4581-6295
SPIN-code: 6282-7435

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor

Russian Federation, Moscow

Roman Yu. Mayorov

Central State Medical Academy of Department of Presidential Affairs

Email: surkichinsi24@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-1911-6743
Russian Federation, Moscow

Marika Avin

Medical Center "Stolitsa"

Email: surkichinsi24@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8317-0800
Russian Federation, Moscow

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СМИ зарегистрировано Федеральной службой по надзору в сфере связи, информационных технологий и массовых коммуникаций (Роскомнадзор).
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