Vaginal Aging. An honest Dialogue.

Painful Intercourse Across the Lifespan: Estrogen, Vaginal Atrophy, and Rejuvenation Options

Dr. Duncan Turner and nurse practitioner Sophie Mengele discuss painful intercourse across life stages and how low estrogen affects vaginal tissues. They note symptoms can be multifaceted and occur in teens through geriatrics, including patients on oral birth control who may have suppressed estrogen peaks and benefit from vaginal estrogen or vaginal rejuvenation treatments, which may also help reduce recurrent vaginal infections. They cover postpartum discomfort related to lactation, low estrogen, and healing after lacerations, describing gentle laser options like MonaLisa and Forna V and the use of estriol or weak estradiol cream. For perimenopausal and menopausal patients, they explain that systemic HRT may not fully address pelvic needs and encourage local vaginal estriol/estradiol and DHEA. They describe low-estrogen changes (thinner mucosa, reduced blood supply, collagen, and elasticity) and how fractional CO2 laser and radiofrequency create micro-injury to stimulate healing and potentially improve symptoms including urinary issues.

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:21 Infections Can Overlap

00:41 Painful Intercourse Overview

01:04 Young Patients on Birth Control

02:06 Postpartum Low Estrogen

02:48 Perimenopause and Menopause Care

03:53 How Low Estrogen Changes Tissue

04:46 Laser and Radiofrequency Explained

05:52 Real Life Impact and Options

06:56 Atrophy Analogy and Wrap Up

https://www.turnermedicalarts.com/

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