My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Atrophic Vaginitis [Read/Print full article]
Overview
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Atrophic vaginitis is an irritation of the vagina caused by thinning tissue and loss of moisture in the vaginal walls. This is most common after menopause or in women who have had their ovaries removed.
About vaginitis
Most women will have vaginitis at some time during their lives. Many types of vaginitis are easy to treat, and your symptoms will go away quickly.
A healthy vagina has a normal balance of bacteria. Vaginitis occurs when something changes the balance of these organisms. This imbalance creates inflammation or causes an infection. Symptoms include:
- Itching
- Pain
- An unusual vaginal discharge
Vaginitis can sometimes be an early sign of a more serious problem, although this is relatively rare.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
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If you have any of the following symptoms, contact us to see if you should make an appointment:
- Vaginal irritation and burning
- Frequent or painful urination
- Pain with intercourse
- A thin gray or yellow discharge
If you come in for an exam, we may:
- Take your medical history.
- Do a pelvic exam to look for thinning vaginal walls.
- Check your vaginal discharge under the microscope to look for inflammatory cells.
Causes and Prevention
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Atrophic vaginitis often occurs with menopause as a result of decreasing levels of the hormone estrogen. Surgery to remove the ovaries, chemotherapy, or other types of ovarian conditions can also result in atrophic vaginitis.
To prevent atrophic vaginitis, have sex regularly if you can. Sexual activity improves blood flow to the vagina, which can keep the tissues healthy. Do not douche and always wipe from front to back after you use the bathroom.
Treatments
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You may use vaginal lubricants during sex if intercourse is painful. Some examples of good water-soluble vaginal lubricants that you can buy over-the-counter are Astroglide, Wet Lubricant Gel, or K-Y Jelly.
Low-dose estrogen cream or an estrogen vaginal ring can also treat atrophic vaginitis. This is a long-term treatment, as dryness can return if you stop the treatment.
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Atrophic vaginitis is common:
- During your postpartum period, especially if you are breastfeeding.
- During medical treatment (chemotherapy, for example) that changes the way your ovaries function.
- During and after menopause.
If the cause of your atrophic vaginitis is temporary, you can usually treat your symptoms by using vaginal lubricants. Astroglide, Wet Lubricant Gel, or K-Y Jelly are all good choices. You can find them in our pharmacy or at your local drugstore.
If you are going through menopause and experiencing symptoms of atrophic vaginitis that do not improve with the use of a vaginal lubricant, please make an appointment to see me. We will discuss whether long-term treatment with an estrogen cream or ring is appropriate for you.
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Contacting Me
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You can connect with me in a variety of ways, depending on the situation and what is most convenient for you at the time. I am available online, by telephone, or in person.
- For nonurgent questions or concerns, you can e-mail me using this site. You can also book an appointment online to see me in person.
- If your concerns are immediate, or you simply prefer to use the telephone, please call our Appointment and Advice line, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our advice nurses can give you immediate advice, and our telephone staff can send me a message or book an appointment for you.
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How We Coordinate Your Care
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Having all of our Kaiser Permanente departments located together or nearby, including pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, and health education, makes getting your care easier for you.
Another major benefit is our comprehensive electronic medical record system, which allows all of the doctors and clinicians involved in your care to stay current on your health status and to collaborate with each other as appropriate.
When every member of the health care team is aware of all aspects of your condition, care is safer and more effective.
If you come to an office visit
- At the beginning of your visit, you will receive information about when you are due for your next test, screening, or immunization. We can discuss and schedule any preventive tests that you need.
- At the end of your visit, you may receive a document called the “After Visit Summary” that will summarize the issues we discussed during your visit. You can refer to it if you forget what we discussed, or if you just want to recheck your vital signs and weight. You can also view it online under Past Visits.
- To help you prepare for your visit, please see additional details under Office Visit.
If I prescribe medications
We will work together to monitor and assess how your medications are working and make adjustments as needed. Prescriptions can be filled at any Kaiser Permanente pharmacy. Just let me know which pharmacy works best for you, and I will send the prescription electronically in advance of your arrival at the pharmacy.
If refills are needed in the future, you can:
- Order them online or by phone. Order future refills from my home page or by phone using the pharmacy refill number on your prescription label.
- Have them delivered to you by mail at no extra cost. Or you can pick up your medications at the pharmacy. If no refills remain when you place your order, the pharmacy will contact me regarding your prescription.
If lab testing or imaging is needed
For lab tests, I will use our electronic medical record system to send the requisition to the Kaiser Permanente laboratory of your choice. For imaging procedures, we will schedule an appointment with the radiology department. When the results are ready, I will contact you with your results by letter, secure e-mail message, or phone. In addition, you can view most of your laboratory results online, along with any comments that I have attached to explain them.
If I refer you to a specialist
My specialty colleagues are readily available to assist me if I need additional advice about your condition. In some cases, I may contact them during your visit, so we can discuss your care together. If we decide you need a specialty appointment after that discussion, we can often schedule it the same day or soon thereafter.
If you are due for preventive screenings or tests
As part of our commitment to prevention, additional members of our health care team may contact you to come in for a visit or test. We will contact you if you are overdue for cancer screenings or conditions which may require monitoring.
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Convenient Resources for You
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As your personal physician, I have a goal to provide high-quality care and to offer you choices that make your health care convenient. I recommend that you become familiar with the many resources we offer so that you can choose the services that work best for you.
My Doctor Online is available 24/7 so that you can access and manage your care where and when it is most convenient. From my home page you can:
Manage your care securely
- View and compose secure e-mail messages.
- Manage your prescriptions and schedule appointments.
- View your past visits and test results.
- View your Preventive Services to see whether you are due for a routine screening or updated immunization.
Learn more about your condition
- Read about causes, symptoms, treatments, and procedures.
- Find interactive health tools, videos, and podcasts to help you manage your condition.
- View programs to help you decide on or prepare for a surgery or procedure.
Stay healthy
- Locate health education classes and support groups offered at our medical center.
- Explore interactive programs, videos, and podcasts that focus on helping you stay healthy.
- View your Preventive Services to see whether you are due for a routine screening or updated immunization.
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If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.