Vaginal infection

Index

1. What is vaginal infection?
2. Prognosis of the disease
3. Symptoms of vaginal infection
4. Medical tests for vaginal infection
5. What causes vaginal infection?
6. Can it be prevented?
7. Treatments for vaginal infection
8. What specialist treats it?

What is vaginal infection?

Vaginal infections are infections that occur on the outside of the female reproductive tract, the vagina. There are different types:

• Vaginal candidiasis: it is caused by a fungus called candida albicans, which lives naturally in the rectum. The main symptoms are:
  • White vaginal discharge
  • Itching during sexual intercourse
  • Irritation of the vulva

• Bacterial vaginosis: this is the most common vaginal infection. It causes an imbalance of the bacterial flora. The main symptoms are:
  • Foul odor of vaginal fluid
  • Excessive vaginal discharge
  • Painful urination

• Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis and is spread by contact during sexual intercourse. Men may be carriers but experience no symptoms, while women may experience the following symptoms:
  • Yellowish or greenish vaginal discharge.
  • Painful urination
  • Foul-smelling vaginal discharge

• Chlamydia: bacterial infection that occurs through sexual contact. The main symptoms are:
  • Lesions on the cervix
  • Pain when urinating
  • Vaginal bleeding after sex

Prognosis of the disease

Vaginal infections are not serious problems. They are easily cured with medication and can be prevented with good intimate hygiene.

Symptoms of vaginal infection

The main symptoms of vaginal infections are:

1. Vaginal irritation
2. Pain during sex
3. Pain during urination
4. Vaginal bleeding

Medical tests for vaginal infection

The main tests performed to detect a vaginal infection are vaginal discharge analysis or urinalysis.

What are the causes of vaginal infection?

The most frequent causes are:

• Lack of hygiene: not keeping the vaginal area clean increases the risk of contracting a bacterial vaginal infection. It is also necessary to watch which intimate hygiene products we use because some of them can alter the pH of the skin, facilitating the appearance of infections.

• Tight underwear: it does not allow the skin and vaginal area to perspire properly, raising the humidity levels in the vagina, which facilitates the growth of microorganisms.

• Continuous consumption of antibiotics: these drugs are used to eliminate pathogens, but they also destroy and eliminate our body’s own microorganisms, which are necessary for the proper functioning of the body. In the case of vaginal infections, antibiotics eliminate a large part of the lactobacilli, which are responsible for maintaining a balanced vaginal pH.

• Irritation: when the skin in the vaginal area is dehydrated, it is easier for cracks and wounds to form through which harmful organisms leak.

Can it be prevented?

Vaginal infections can occur at any time, but the following tips can be followed to reduce their occurrence:

• Keep the vaginal area clean and dry.
• Clean from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus from contaminating the vagina.
• Use cotton underwear

Treatments for vaginal infection

The treatment carried out is based on eliminating the infectious agent that causes the discomfort. If it is a bacterial agent, the infection is cured by taking drugs prescribed by a doctor. On the other hand, if the discomfort is caused by fungi, it is cured by the application of antifungal creams.

Which specialist treats it?

The specialist who treats vaginal infections is the expert in Gynecology.