The Treatment of Postmenopausal Atrophic Vaginitis and Dyspareunia with Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs: A Case Study

Atrophic vaginitis is a disturbing condition with a wide prevalence amongst postmenopausal women, resulting in thinning and atrophy of the vaginal epithelium, mucosal dryness, vaginal discomfort, vulvodynia, dyspareunia and/or increased incidence of urinary symptoms including stress incontinence and urinary tract infection. It is associated with a decrease in circulating oestradiol that frequently occurs during the menopause transition and is implicated in a decreased quality of life amongst aging women. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as a nonhormonal
treatment alternative in the correction or management of atrophic vaginitis and its accompanying symptoms. It details the case of a 54-year-old post-menopausal female treated over the course of three months, which resulted in a complete resolution of symptoms of vaginal discomfort, dryness and dyspareunia. It is concluded that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine may be an effective alternative treatment for the symptoms associated with atrophic vaginitis.