Atrophic vaginitis is vaginal irritation and dryness caused by a change in vaginal tissue.
This change happens when the level of estrogen in your body decreases. The change in vaginal tissue is called vaginal atrophy. The ovaries produce estrogen as long as you have menstrual periods. When you go through menopause and stop having periods, the ovaries stop making estrogen. Less estrogen in the body causes the vagina to become dryer.