Vaginitis is one of the most common female ailments, and as much as 90 percent of cases of vaginitis are caused by infection with microorganisms: bacteria, fungi and trichomoniasis, or it is viral. What are the causes and symptoms of vaginitis? How is vaginitis treated?
Vaginitismust be treated, because a prolonged infection can spread to other organs: the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries, leading to inflammation of the appendages, i.e. inflammation of the pelvic organs, which even infertility can be a long-term complication.
Vaginitis: causes
Vaginitis occurs as a result of the disturbance of the natural bacterial flora of the vagina, which is a barrier that protects the reproductive organs against the excessive development of pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria, fungi or parasites. This is possible due to the fact that lactic acid bacteria colonizing the vagina - sticksLactobacillus(in the case of Polish women these are mainlyLactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus , Lactobacillus delbrudeckii) , keep the vagina acidic - pH around 4.5. Their proper growth may be disturbed by:
- hygiene errors and negligence - using someone else's towels, sponges, underwear, vaginal irrigation
- period
- miscarriage
- sexual relations, multiple partners
- intrauterine devices
- gynecological treatments
Vaginitis: symptoms
The symptoms of vaginitis are unpleasant and worsen as the infection develops. They are:
- itching and burning of the vagina and vulva
- redness of the vagina and vulva
- vulva soreness and burning sensation
- painful urination
- pain during intercourse
- vaginal discharge - vaginal discharge with a changed, unpleasant smell, the appearance and consistency of which depends on which pathogen caused the infection
Vaginitis: types
The cause of vaginitis may be infections:
- bacterial - the result is bacterial vaginosis (vaginosis), the most characteristic symptom is abundant gray-white discharge with an unpleasant fishy smell, intensifyingespecially after intercourse
- fungal - their result is fungal vaginosis (candidiasis), the most characteristic symptom is white, dense, often described as cheesy or cottage cheese-like, or on the contrary - abundant, rare or even watery, usually odorless
- trichomoniasis - the result is trichomoniasis vaginitis, the most characteristic symptom is yellow-green, abundant, sometimes frothy and usually foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- chlamydia - the result is chlamydiosis, which may be indicated by mucus, purulent vaginal discharge, burning sensation when urinating, intermenstrual bleeding and intercourse
- atrophic / atrophic vaginitis (vaginal atrophy) - is a gradual decrease in the thickness of the vaginal epithelium, which eventually leads to its disappearance, is a common complaint in postmenopausal women, although it can occur in younger women as a result of hormonal disorders
Vaginitis: treatment
Treatment for vaginitis depends on what caused it, so getting a vaginal swab before prescribing treatment is so important. Depending on the test result, antibiotics or antifungal drugs are administered, sometimes both orally and vaginally. In some cases, your partner should also receive treatment. It is also recommended to use preparations containing lactic acid bacteria.
In a situation where contact with a doctor is difficult, according to the latest recommendations of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians, in the auxiliary treatment of inflammatory diseases of the vagina, substances that have an antimicrobial effect, e.g. boric acid or PHMB - polyhexamethylene biguanide, can be used, which, for example, in combination with lactic acid, restores the physiological pH, preventing the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms.
How to Avoid Vaginitis?
The risk of contracting the disease is much lower when you follow the rules of hygiene (washing from front to back and avoiding irrigation that disrupts the natural environment of the vagina). It is also important to avoid accidental sexual contact and be careful when using toilets and bathrooms in public places.