Inflammation of the vagina and vaginal dryness as a result of low estrogen levels after menopause, a condition corrected by taking postmenopausal estrogen. With aging, capillaries in the vaginal walls shrink, or atrophy, reducing blood flow and nutrients to these tissues. The outer folds of the vagina shrink, causing the skin to sag and become dry. The vagina is thus susceptible to irritation and infection. For a full diagnosis, the acid-base balance (pH balance) of the vagina is determined, and a sample of vaginal cell types is analyzed for their maturation index.