Atrophic vaginitis is a vaginal irritation and dryness caused by a change in vaginal tissue.
This change occurs when the level of estrogen in a woman s body decreases. The change in vaginal tissue is called vaginal atrophy. Estrogen is produced by the ovaries as long as a woman has menstrual periods. Estrogen production begins to decrease before menopause. During menopause the ovaries stop making estrogen.