It would seem that the discomfort caused by the dryness of the vagina and intimate areas is a trivial problem. However, an analysis of the chain of consequences that may arise if the condition is left untreated shows that it can lead to serious health problems. Therefore, vaginal dryness must be dealt with and prevented.
Prof. dr hab. Mariusz Zimmer, President of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians
Vaginal dryness is associated with atrophy (disappearance) of the mucosa of this organ. It can be asymptomatic, but this is very rare. The quality of the vaginal mucosa is decisively influenced by the hormones produced by the female reproductive system. Vaginal dryness is associated with an estrogen deficiency.
Hormonal disorders most often affect perimenopausal women, but younger ladies also suffer from vaginal dryness and atrophy. Here, the primary cause is hormonal disturbance due to ovarian disease or physiology, as estrogen is lacking during the puerperium, lactation and breastfeeding periods. Vaginal dryness also occurs in some women using hormonal contraception.
Vaginal dryness – discomfort and serious medical problem
If there is not enough estrogen, the vaginal mucosa slowly thin and the amount of secretions in this organ is reduced. As a result, there is great discomfort for a woman who wants to function normally – also in the sexual sphere.
Natural mucus, produced and secreted by the cells of the vagina, constitutes the immune barrier of this organ. If it is not present, vaginal dryness develops and the gates to infection are opened. Vaginal dryness is therefore also a medical problem, as pathogenic microorganisms that are found in the area of the urethra and anus can easily flow into the vagina and develop there, causing unpleasant ailments. From there it’s just a bit to the uterus, then to the fallopian tubes, and up to the ovaries; and from there – just a step to the peritoneum.
Some women say, “Yes, I have vaginal dryness, but I’m fine with it.” Yes, until the chain of these consequences develops.
Therefore, let’s fight against vaginal dryness, and then regenerate the mucosa of this organ, so that it fulfills its immune function for as long as possible and protects against possible infection of the intimate parts.
Hormones are not for everyone
We have a variety of ways to improve your quality of life and vaginal lubrication. The flagship method of dealing with the cause of vaginal dryness is hormonal, local or systemic treatment. However, since there are many contraindications and dangers related to the use of hormones, such treatment should be carried out under strict medical supervision and should be accompanied by regular visits to the gynecologist.
Under no circumstances should hormones be taken alone! Important contraindications for hormonal treatment of vaginal dryness include family history of oncological, circulatory and breast problems. Every woman who decides to undergo hormonal treatment must have her genitals and breasts examined.
Hyaluronic acid and laser therapy
We have many topical preparations that moisturize and promote the regeneration of the mucosa of this organ. This group includes preparations with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid occurs in the body as a natural building block, its action is, among others, on binding with the moist secretion of the vaginal mucosa and creating a gel coating on its surface. The layer produced in this way is a protective barrier that protects the mucosa and creates appropriate conditions for the activation of natural regenerative and defense mechanisms.
Hyaluronic acid comes in various forms, one of them is the proven form of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, which provides quick hydration and efficiency in regeneration. It is recommended especially in the states of atrophy and dystrophy. It soothes and reduces discomfort caused by dry vaginal mucosa. It is important that preparations with hyaluronic acid do not contain parabens, oils, plant extracts and fragrances that may cause allergies and thus irritate the vaginal mucosa.
Hyaluronic acid is safe. It can be used prophylactically – under the supervision of a gynecologist to prevent the development of vaginal atrophy, dystrophy and intimate infections. Hyaluronic acid plays a significant role, also during systemic treatment and before various types of gynecological procedures in the vagina.
It also has indirect significance in the urogynecological area, i.e. common to the genital and urinary systems, as one of the consequences of drying out of the vaginal mucosa and atrophy of this organ is also the destruction of the urethra.
The consequence of this – stress urinary incontinence – causes great discomfort in a woman’s life. Urinary incontinence resulting from vaginal atrophy is a topic we need to talk about because patients – even in an age of wide access to health information – say they have this problem, but believe it is a physiological condition. However, it is not so. This is where moisturizing and regenerating the vagina are a very important element.
It should also be mentioned that laser therapy is a new form of treatment for vaginal atrophy associated with vaginal dryness. It is a method recognized in the world and used by many gynecologists to revitalize the vagina and restore its physiological efficiency.
The article comes from the campaign “In care for women” prepared by Warsaw Press, and the media partner of which is MedTvoiLokony. All materials can be found on http://kobieta.warsawpress.com/
INTIMATE INFECTIONS
Intimate infections are a big problem that affects every second or third patient. A woman may find out about the infection only during a gynecological examination – she does not report any problems as she believes that it must be so.
Prof. dr hab. Mariusz Zimmer, President of the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians.
The causes and diagnosis of intimate infections
The naturally dominant microbial component of the vagina is bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus – lactobacilli, acidifying the environment of this organ. These bacteria should make up about 90% of all the microbes found in the vagina. The remaining 10% of the vaginal microbiome are physiologically composed of other microorganisms. If there is a disturbance in these proportions and bacteria Lactobacillus are in the minority, inflammation develops in the vagina, which may be itching, burning, vaginal discharge.
Therefore, inflammation of the vagina is associated with a disturbance of the organ’s ecosystem. They can be bacterial, fungal or mixed in nature. The diagnosis is made during a gynecological examination based on the medical history and examination of the intimate areas; diagnostics may be supported by laboratory tests of a vaginal smear.
New recommendations in the auxiliary treatment of intimate infections
Until now, antibiotics and chemotherapy have been the standard in the treatment of intimate infections. According to the current recommendations, they should not be used as first-line substances in the adjunctive treatment of vaginal inflammations that appear at various stages of life, regardless of age or the phase of the menstrual cycle. The reason for changing the recommendation is, inter alia, increasing bacterial resistance due to the excessive use of antibiotics.
Currently, the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians has recognized substances that have antimicrobial properties as the standard of treatment of recurrent inflammation, including: PHMB – polyhexamethylene biguanide, dequaline chloride, iodine povidone, silver ions, boric acid, chlorhexidine. Importantly – these substances are not antibiotics, so they do not lead to the development of bacterial resistance to a given component; in addition, they can act in a targeted manner and penetrate the biofilm that protects microorganisms, which increases their effectiveness. Their task is to eliminate microbes from the vagina that disturb the natural biological balance of this area. In this way, they prepare the environment of this organ for the fastest possible renewal of the population of lactic bacteria, which will ensure the natural immunity of the vagina. In auxiliary treatment, new generation preparations are used, adapted for vaginal use with unique compositions and innovative forms so that the application is easy and painless.
Steps that are currently recommended for adjuvant treatment of intimate infections
In response to the growing antibiotic resistance, various non-antibiotic substances are currently used that have a positive effect on the auxiliary treatment of intimate infections. These substances have been known for many years, e.g. boric acid as well as the recommended PHMB – polyhexamethylene biguanide, which, for example, in combination with acid lactic acid restores the physiological pH, preventing the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms. In clinical practice, these substances are recommended for intimate infections of various etiologies: bacterial, fungal and mixed. Intimate infections cause damage to the vaginal epithelium by the ongoing inflammatory process. Auxiliary treatment, incl. aims to support healing and rebuild damaged vaginal epithelium. Substances that have a positive effect on regeneration are horsetail extract and collagen hydrolyzate.
After auxiliary treatment with the use of vaginal globules containing a unique composition, it is important to populate this area with normal bacterial microflora as soon as possible with the participation of lactobacilli to ensure the resistance of this area.
Don’t wait. Work!
For the first few days, while waiting for a consultation with a gynecologist, a woman can reach for over-the-counter gels at a pharmacy, which immediately relieve unpleasant symptoms of intimate infections, such as itching and burning. However, you should always contact your doctor so as not to overlook a serious disease that can develop in the genital tract, because often – as I will emphasize – other diseases, such as cervical cancer or chronic erosion on the cervix, may also cause symptoms of recurrent conditions. inflammation in the vagina.
It is important to keep the vagina properly moistened, as the mucus secreted by this organ provides protection against infections. Maintaining proper, but not excessive, hygiene of the intimate area is crucial. Vaginal irrigation should not be used, as this flushes out the natural protective mucus and bacteria beneficial to the health of the vagina, and this can promote recurrent vaginitis.
It is also very important to properly wash the intimate area from the vagina towards the anus – never the other way around.
Needed: prevention and better education
The problem of unnecessarily performed vaginal irrigations and poorly performed hygienic procedures in the intimate areas most often concern girls and young women.
It is possible that this is due to the lack or too little information on this topic, so the emphasis should be on education – for example, in biology lessons at school. Let’s not be afraid to talk about it, because maintaining hygiene in this area is the basis for eliminating the risks associated with intimate infections.
It is also necessary to know about risky behaviors during intercourse. If the partners take care of the appropriate level of hygiene, use safeguards and are healthy, the risk of intimate infections does not increase – provided, of course, that the physiological microbiological conditions in the vagina are appropriate. A balanced diet with a limited number of sugars is also important, as it reduces, among others, risk of developing diabetes, and this disease is one of the most common causes of recurrent inflammation in women. The diet, if necessary, should be enriched with supplements to avoid anemization of the body, because it lowers immunity and also promotes inflammation.
The article comes from the campaign “In care for women” prepared by Warsaw Press, and the media partner of which is MedTvoiLokony. All materials can be found on http://kobieta.warsawpress.com/
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