Why are elderly people more prone to vaginitis?

Vaginitis is a common disease among women and can occur in women of all ages. Young girls and postmenopausal women are more susceptible to infection than adolescents and women of childbearing age due to their lack of estrogen and low vaginal resistance.

Senile vaginitis, also known as atrophic vaginitis, is a non-specific vaginitis that is mainly seen in postmenopausal women. It can also occur in women after bilateral oophorectomy and lactating women. The incidence rate can account for 30% to 50% of elderly women. Although the condition is relatively mild, it can have adverse effects on the physiology and psychology of the elderly and affect their quality of life.

After menopause, the ovaries of normal women begin to shrink and their functions begin to decline. The ovaries are organs that secrete estrogen. The reduction of estrogen will not only affect the cardiovascular system, urinary system, bones, etc., but also cause a series of changes in the vaginal wall, mainly manifested as vaginal wall shrinkage, thinning of the mucosa, reduced local glycogen content, high vaginal pH, and low resistance. When bacteria invade the vagina, they are prone to multiply in large numbers due to the weakening of natural factors protecting the vaginal environment, leading to vaginitis. Women who have undergone surgical removal of both ovaries, premature ovarian failure, long-term amenorrhea, and pelvic radiotherapy are also prone to senile vaginitis, which may be related to many factors such as abnormal ovarian function, abnormal hormone secretion, poor personal hygiene habits, and nutritional deficiencies.