Medical Terminology for Vaginal Dryness
The medical term for vaginal dryness is vaginal atrophy or atrophic vaginitis, which is now also referred to as part of the genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) or vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) 1, 2, 3.
Understanding the Terminology
Vaginal atrophy is the primary medical term used to describe the condition where vaginal tissues become thin, dry, and inflamed due to decreased estrogen levels 1. This terminology has evolved over time:
- Atrophic vaginitis is the traditional clinical term that describes the inflammatory changes in the vaginal mucosa resulting from estrogen deficiency 4, 2
- Vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is a more comprehensive term that encompasses both vaginal and vulvar tissue changes 5, 6, 3
- Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is the most current terminology that includes both vaginal atrophy and associated urinary symptoms 5
Clinical Presentation
The condition is characterized by specific symptoms that help identify it clinically:
- Vaginal dryness is the hallmark symptom, affecting over 50% of postmenopausal women 1, 5
- Discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) 1, 2, 3
- Vaginal itching, burning sensation, and irritation 1, 2, 3
- Vaginal discharge may be present 1
- Urinary symptoms including frequency, urgency, and recurrent urinary tract infections 1, 2, 3
Diagnostic Characteristics
When documented in medical records, atrophic vaginitis is identified by:
- Clinical findings of pruritus and erythema in the vulvovaginal area, often with white discharge 1
- Elevated vaginal pH (>4.5) on examination 4, 1
- Microscopic findings showing thinning epithelium on wet preparation or Gram stain 1
- Decreased superficial cells and increased parabasal cells on vaginal cytology 6