Contents
General description of the disease
Vaginitis (colpitis) is an inflammatory process of the vaginal mucosa caused by an imbalance of beneficial bacteria or the influence of pathogenic pathogens (Trichomonas, Chlamydia, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Mycoplasma, fungi, Proteus, etc.). In a woman’s reproductive age, this disease is the most common.
The healthy flora of the vagina consists in most cases of Doderlein sticks, which secrete lactic acid and fight harmful bacteria and microorganisms. Vaginal discharge is usually transparent, sometimes with a whitish tint and oily texture. Depending on the level of hormones produced by the woman’s body, their amount can also change. Excessive discharge occurs during sexual arousal, before ovulation, and during pregnancy.
Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by a gynecologist based on an examination of the vagina, analysis of smears of discharge from the walls of the vagina and cervix, bacterial culture and cytological analysis. If these methods do not give a 100% response to the causes of vaginitis, then PCR diagnostics for infectious diseases (ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, herpes, human papillomavirus, etc.), colposcopy (enlarging the image of the cervix for more detailed analysis its surface) or biopsy (collection of cervical tissue).
If vaginitis occurs during pregnancy, it is recommended to carry out treatment in the 2-3 trimester, because during this period, all organs of the child have already been formed and the effect on him of special drugs will be minimal.
Varieties of vaginitis
- 1 Acute vaginitis – all the main symptoms of the disease are pronounced
- 2 Chronic vaginitis – symptoms are less pronounced, but itching remains constant, especially after intercourse
Causes
- Sexually transmitted infections and other infections that are treated with antibiotics.
- Damage to the vaginal mucosa (thermal, chemical, mechanical, which can occur as a result of douching, home or hospital abortion, sexual abuse, the introduction of various objects into the vagina, birth ruptures, the use of a spiral).
- Anatomical features of the vagina (gaping of the genital fissure, prolapse of the walls of the vagina).
- Endocrine disorders or changes (menopause, pregnancy, ovarian disease, obesity, diabetes).
- Allergies to condom lubricants, lubricants, birth control suppositories and ointments.
- Vascular disorders that lead to malnutrition of the mucous membrane.
- Therapy during the treatment of cancer.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and hypovitaminosis.
- Insufficient or excessive personal hygiene.
- Decreased immunity against the background of previous illnesses or HIV and AIDS.
Symptoms of vaginitis
Depending on the neglect and severity of the disease, various symptoms of the course of vaginitis may appear:
- changes in the amount, color, and odor of vaginal discharge. Depending on the etiology of the disease, the nature of the discharge also differs. So gray-white discharge with a fishy smell is inherent in bacterial vaginitis, white curd discharge – fungal vaginitis, and greenish-yellow discharge can be caused by infectious diseases, in particular, trichomoniasis.
- itching and irritation of the vaginal opening
- swelling and redness of the external genitalia
- temperature increase
- pain during urination and sexual intercourse
- spotting or bleeding not related to the menstrual cycle
General recommendations
To prevent vaginitis, you must follow the rules of personal hygiene and adhere to a healthy lifestyle:
- wash the genitals in the shower,
- do not use antibacterial gels,
- use an individual clean towel,
- the external genitals to get wet rather than wipe to prevent irritation,
- use exclusively non-scented pads during menstruation,
- when defecating, wipe the perineum with movements from front to back,
- do not carry out deep douching procedures – this can provoke the ingress of bacteria into the cervix and the uterus itself,
- use condoms when in contact with a new sexual partner,
- wear exclusively cotton underwear,
- A changeable dry swimsuit should be worn at the beach to prevent prolonged wetting of the vulva.
During the drug treatment of vaginitis, you should adhere to a diet in the diet.
Useful products for vaginitis (colpitis)
To restore useful microflora, it is necessary to consume a large amount of fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, whey, sour cream), which are rich in live lacto- and bifidobacteria. These products promote the growth of beneficial microflora in the intestines and vagina, promote the synthesis and absorption of vitamins A and E, reduce inflammation and increase immunity.
You should also include in the diet foods containing polyunsaturated acids – fish oil, trout, salmon, shrimp, cod, tuna, flaxseed oil and others.
During the course of the disease in sick women, there is a deficiency of some vitamins, the replenishment of which leads to a faster recovery. So:
- B vitamins are found in all types of nuts, legumes, liver, mushrooms, spinach, cheese, garlic, etc .;
- vitamins E and A – seaweed, broccoli, sweet potatoes, wild garlic, viburnum, nuts, dried apricots, prunes, sorrel, spinach;
- vitamin C – currants, sea buckthorn, strawberries, strawberries, orange, lemon, kiwi, etc.
In addition to vitamins, mineral deficiencies should be replenished, in particular:
- zinc – buckwheat, oatmeal, pine nuts, peas, beans, turkey, goose, lamb, etc .;
- magnesium – nuts and seafood;
- calcium – feta cheese, cream, cheese, barley groats, grain mustard and others.
It is imperative that a large amount of fiber from seasonal vegetables and fruits be present in the diet.
Folk remedies for vaginitis
For washing the external genital organs of a woman and shallow douching, you can use homemade infusions and decoctions.
A decoction of a mixture of dry herbs (oregano (4 tsp), oak bark (6 tsp), dry marshmallow root (1 tsp)), which should be poured with boiling water (500 ml), will help soothe the itching and burning sensation. and insist until it is almost completely cooled. Then strain the infusion and wash it off 2 times a day, morning and evening.
You can relieve inflammation and soothe the skin with a decoction of chamomile (5 tsp), sage (3 tsp), walnut leaf (5 tsp) and oak bark (2 tsp). The infusion should be prepared and applied in the same way as in the previous recipe.
For internal use, you should prepare an infusion of St. John’s wort, nettle, buckthorn bark (1 tsp each) and thyme herb, coltsfoot, calamus root (2 tsp each). The mixture (2 tbsp. L.) Should be poured with boiling water (500 ml.) And let it brew in a thermos overnight. The finished drink should be drunk 100 ml 3 times a day.
Dangerous and harmful products for vaginitis (colpitis)
The diet should completely exclude salty, sweet and spicy foods, as well as alcohol, factory sauces and flour products. All these products provoke the growth of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and irritate the mucous membranes.
Attention!
The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!