Vaginitis

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 18:44

Vaginal infections will affect 75% of women at least once in their lifetime. That's a lot of women!

Vaginitis (as it is also called) may or may not be of infectious origin. If bacteria, parasites and even viruses can be responsible for vaginitis, in 90% of cases it is a fungus that normally lives in the vagina of course, but also in the mouth, in the digestive tract and even on the skin that is in question. What wakes up the small fungi in question is an imbalance in the pH, that is to say the acidity level of the vagina. Taking antibiotics, menstruation, pregnancy, hygiene and clothing are all possible causes.

Tight clothing, such as very tight jeans, wet swimsuits, nylon underwear and pantyhose retain body heat and create moisture, which is conducive to the proliferation of mushroom yeasts. Less tight-fitting, natural-fiber, white-colored clothing is recommended.

How do you know if you have a vaginal infection?

For a first infection, only a doctor can really confirm it and recommend the right treatment. Those who have already had vaginitis will tell you that there areunmistakable signs: vaginal itching, odorless discharge, but very thick and white - a bit like curdled milk -, and it can go as far as pain during sexual intercourse. For a first infection, if you are pregnant or if in doubt, it is really better to consult a doctor.

Yeast vaginitis is 10 to 20 times more common during pregnancy. The increase in pH and glucose levels in pregnant women is responsible for this.

Prevention

• Vitamins A and C and zinc help protect the vaginal lining and boost immune function. However, it is recommended to avoid sugar, fruit juices and allergenic foods.
• Avoid perfumed soaps and bubble baths, but also toilet paper, tampons or panty liners with perfume. Choose unscented products!
• Clean, rinse and dry the genital area well.
• Beware of douching: they alter the natural balance of the vaginal flora.
• Change tampons and sanitary napkins regularly.
• Wear cotton underwear (avoid nylon) and avoid wearing pants that are too tight.
• Wash underwear with bleach in hot water to kill germs.

Consuming yogurts containing live cultures of Lactobacillus acidophillus may help the vaginal flora regain its balance. It is believed that probioticsingested are transferred from the anus to the vagina.

Source: PasseportSante.net

Treatment

Only women who have already been diagnosed with a fungal infection and are familiar with the symptoms should use over-the-counter medications, without prior consultation. Otherwise, about a quarter of women make a mistake in their self-diagnosis and use a treatment that is not appropriate for their condition.

Because there are several, maybe you are a little undecided in front of the pharmacy counter? Usually, we take a treatment that lasts 7 days if we have repeated vaginal infections, so this is not the first product we choose, it is made for those who have already experienced the situation! As for treatments of 1 or 3 days, it usually amounts to the same! The only thing to remember is that even if you take a one-day treatment, it still takes 3 days for the symptoms to disappear, so it really is a matter of taste. If it happens that the cream formula relieves the itching more quickly than the tablet, it has the definite disadvantage of dirtying the underwear, so you have to think about bringing a panty liner.

Partner

Don't forget to treat the partner as well! Men do not consult for this, even if they are carriers of the same fungi, because they have no symptoms. However, as they can be carriers without knowing it, these same men will contaminate their partner again at thefirst opportunity. The best thing to do is buy a treatment that will treat both partners every time.

You don't need to suffer, there are good treatments on the market! Consult a pharmacist to sort out the products offered and choose the one that suits you best.