When a womans’ estrogen levels drop, a number of physiological symptoms arise which may include vaginal atrophy. Estrogen levels can fluctuate due to the natural phases of a women’s life such as menopause, or, levels may fluctuate due to treatments for medical conditions such as radiation or chemotherapy for cancer. Finally, hormonal birth control may also impact estrogen levels, potentially leading to vaginal atrophy.

There are risk factors that can contribute to vaginal atrophy. These include: smoking, non vaginal births, and no sexual activity. These factors impact blood circulation of the body, specifically, how much blood is reaching the vaginal canal. A reduction in blood flow can lead to the thinning of tissue and a reduction in elasticity.