Atrophic Vaginitis is a pervasive condition amongst postmenopausal women in which the vaginal epithelium begins to thin and atrophy. It is associated with mucosal dryness, vulvodynia, dyspareunia, vaginal discomfort, and an increased incidence of UTI and stress incontinence. There is a correlation between a decrease in circulating oestradiol during the menopause transition and Atrophic Vaginitis. This paper outlines the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as a non-hormonal treatment of Atrophic Vaginitis and its ancillary symptoms.
Introduction Atrophic Vaginitis (AV), or Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA) affects 10 to 40 percent of postmenopausal woman (Ibe et al,2010). It is the result of a decline in circulating oestradiol …show more content…
The clinical diagnosis and treatment in Chinese medicine are based on the Yin-yang, the Five Elements and the Zang-fu organ theories. These theories apply the phenomena of nature to the study physiological and pathological changes of the human body. Typical traditional Chinese medicine will include Chinese herbal medicine in conjuncture with acupuncture. Chinese herbal medicine is used to target the Zang-fu organs and acupuncture stimulates areas on the external body. Traditional Chinese medicine is thought to have significant advantages in treating gynecological disorders. (Zhou et al, 2009) The Complete Book of Effective Prescriptions and Diseases of Women reveals that Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture usually led to satisfactory curative effects in treating gynecological disorders including but not limited to: endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, menopausal syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, cervicitis, and vaginitis. (Ziming, 1237 A.D) The first chapter of the Nei Jing Su Wen “At seven times seven approximately 49 years of age, the kidneys are depleted, the tian gui is exhausted, menstruation ceases, and woman can longer get children.” (Unschuld et al, 2011). As stated in this passage, it is thought that as women age, their Kidney essence declines. When this occurs, the Kidney yin and Kidney yang can be negatively affected. Middle aged women are susceptible to a decrease in kidney yin, as blood is a yin substance and there is a long history of blood loss secondary to menstruation throughout the years. Kidney yin is responsible for the proper lubrication and suppleness of epithelial tissues; therefore, a deficiency in the kidney yin is likely to result in thinning, dryness, and loss of elasticity in the vagina. This
Introduction Atrophic Vaginitis (AV), or Vulvovaginal Atrophy (VVA) affects 10 to 40 percent of postmenopausal woman (Ibe et al,2010). It is the result of a decline in circulating oestradiol …show more content…
The clinical diagnosis and treatment in Chinese medicine are based on the Yin-yang, the Five Elements and the Zang-fu organ theories. These theories apply the phenomena of nature to the study physiological and pathological changes of the human body. Typical traditional Chinese medicine will include Chinese herbal medicine in conjuncture with acupuncture. Chinese herbal medicine is used to target the Zang-fu organs and acupuncture stimulates areas on the external body. Traditional Chinese medicine is thought to have significant advantages in treating gynecological disorders. (Zhou et al, 2009) The Complete Book of Effective Prescriptions and Diseases of Women reveals that Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture usually led to satisfactory curative effects in treating gynecological disorders including but not limited to: endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, menopausal syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, cervicitis, and vaginitis. (Ziming, 1237 A.D) The first chapter of the Nei Jing Su Wen “At seven times seven approximately 49 years of age, the kidneys are depleted, the tian gui is exhausted, menstruation ceases, and woman can longer get children.” (Unschuld et al, 2011). As stated in this passage, it is thought that as women age, their Kidney essence declines. When this occurs, the Kidney yin and Kidney yang can be negatively affected. Middle aged women are susceptible to a decrease in kidney yin, as blood is a yin substance and there is a long history of blood loss secondary to menstruation throughout the years. Kidney yin is responsible for the proper lubrication and suppleness of epithelial tissues; therefore, a deficiency in the kidney yin is likely to result in thinning, dryness, and loss of elasticity in the vagina. This