Common Diseases Hygiene Lifestyle

Are vaginal infections are a serious concern?

4 November 2021
Chetna Bhardwaj

The vaginal flora is the bacteria that live inside the vagina. (lactobacillus species)

Lactobacilli help to keep the vagina healthy by producing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and other substances that inhibit the growth of yeast and other unwanted organisms.

Vaginal infections:

Most females nowadays are suffering from vaginal infections. Vaginal disorders are common nowadays. It is an overgrowth of bacteria that is normally present in the vagina.
Vaginitis: Inflammation of the vagina.

TYPES

  • Bacterial vaginosis: overgrowth Carpentaria gonococcus 
  • Trichomonas vaginalus : parasitic or protozoal infection
  • Candidiasis : fungus and candida albicans

RISK FACTORS :

  • Poor personal hygienes
  • Obesity
  • Using too much soap
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Wearing too many tight clothes
  • Use of feminine deodorants, douches, or scented sanitary products
  • Excessive use of antibiotics and hormonal contraceptive
  • Stress
  • Change of sexual partners
  • Unprotected sex with someone 
  • Pregnancy, recent childbirth, or menopause
  • Inadequate sleep
  • Poor nutrition.

SIGN AND SYMPTOMS:

  • Burning
  • itching
  • redness of the vagina.

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS:

  • Dysuria and dyspareunia are mainly absent or mild.
  • DIAGNOSIS: discharge and odor like fishy, discharges are thin and gray-white.

TRICHOMONIASIS:

  • Dysuria and dyspareunia are present and severe.
  • Strawberry shape of the cervix
  • Frothy discharge-bad odor like fishy pain during urination(yellow, green discharge)

CANDIDIASIS:

  • Dysuria and dyspareunia are present.
  • Discharge stick to the wall of vagina cervix blood by trial to remove it.
  • Itching discharge clumpy white without odor (color clumpy white)

COMPLICATIONS:

  • Pelvic inflammation disease.
  • Hiv infection
  • Persistent discomfort
  • infertility.

WHIFF TEST:

The doctor uses KOH to detect the type of infection by putting 2 drops of KOH with concentrate (10%) on event culture and detecting the type of infection through color and odor.

TREATMENT:

  1. TRICHOMONAS /BACTERIAL ,VAGINOSIS

Metronidazole 2gm single dose 

During the first trimester of pregnancy, this drug is avoided instead of “detadine “ or trichofuran vaginal pass arces.

  1. CANDIDIASIS

Oral fluconazole (deflucan) 150 g tablet single dose is effective.

PREVENTION OF INFECTION:

Following steps can be taken for the prevention of infection :

  • Maintain good personal hygiene
  • Avoid tight, fitting clothing
  • Eat well-balanced diet
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Wear underpants with cotton crotch and avoid nylon
  • Avoid using too much soap
  • Avoid intercourse with an infected person.
  • Avoid scented feminine care products especially douches.
  • Use soft tissues without perfume odor
  • Change pad every 4 hourly during menstruation
  • Use your personal equipment only
  • Eat yogurt daily
  • Remove vaginal hairs regularly
  • Avoid stress.
  • Avoid obesity.
  • Sleep well
  • Change underpants regularly and clean them with warm water & iron them.