Understanding Vaginitis: A Comprehensive Guide to Prevention and Treatment
Vaginitis is one of the common gynecological diseases in women, which brings physical discomfort and psychological distress to many women. However, by correctly understanding the causes, symptoms and treatments of vaginitis, female friends can better prevent and deal with this problem and maintain their health.
1. Definition and Causes of Vaginitis
Vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vaginal mucosa and surrounding tissues, which is usually caused by multiple factors. Under normal circumstances, there is a balanced microecological environment in the female vagina, in which beneficial bacteria (such as lactobacilli) and harmful bacteria (such as bacteria, fungi, Trichomonas, etc.) restrain each other and maintain the acid-base balance of the vagina. When this balance is broken, harmful bacteria will multiply in large numbers, causing vaginitis.
Common types of vaginitis include bacterial vaginitis, fungal vaginitis (Candida vaginitis), Trichomonas vaginitis, etc. Different types of vaginitis have different causes of disease.
▸The occurrence of bacterial vaginitis is related to the imbalance of normal flora in the vagina. When anaerobic bacteria in the vagina overgrow and lactobacilli decrease, bacterial vaginitis is likely to occur. This situation may be related to poor personal hygiene habits, frequent sexual life, and the use of antibiotics. The use of antibiotics can destroy the normal flora in the vagina, allowing anaerobic bacteria to multiply, thereby causing inflammation.
▸ Fungal vaginitis is mostly caused by Candida albicans infection. Candida is a conditional pathogen that can exist in the human body without causing disease under normal circumstances. However, when a woman's body immunity decreases or the environment in the vagina changes, Candida will multiply in large numbers, leading to fungal vaginitis. For example, during pregnancy, long-term use of hormone drugs, diabetic patients, and frequent wearing of tight and non-breathable underwear, fungal vaginitis is easily induced.
▸ Trichomonas vaginitis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. This trichomonas can be transmitted through sexual contact or indirectly through contaminated public baths, bath towels, sanitary napkins, etc. The incidence of trichomonas vaginitis is relatively low, but once infected, the symptoms are more obvious and it is easy to spread between couples.
2. Symptoms of vaginitis
The symptoms of vaginitis vary depending on the type, but common symptoms include vulvar itching, burning sensation, abnormal vaginal discharge, odor, and pain during intercourse.
▸ Patients with bacterial vaginitis usually experience increased vaginal discharge, which is grayish white, uniform in texture, and accompanied by a fishy smell. This odor may worsen after sexual intercourse. Patients may also experience vulvar itching or burning, but the itching is relatively mild.
▸ The symptoms of candidal vaginitis are more obvious. Patients often feel unbearable or even unbearable vulvar itching. Increased vaginal discharge, the texture is like tofu dregs or curd, and the color may be white or yellow. Due to the increase in vaginal discharge and the change in texture, patients may also feel a burning sensation in the vulva, and even feel pain when urinating. In addition, candidal vaginitis may also cause pain during intercourse, affecting the couple's life.
▸ Patients with trichomoniasis also have increased vaginal discharge, which is yellow-green, thin in texture, and sometimes foamy. Patients may feel vulvar itching and burning, accompanied by symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain during urination. Since the color and texture of leucorrhea in trichomonas vaginitis are relatively special, they have a certain prompting role in diagnosis.
3. Diagnosis of vaginitis
When women experience the above symptoms, they should seek medical attention in time for an accurate diagnosis. Doctors usually determine the type of vaginitis by asking about medical history, performing gynecological examinations, and laboratory tests.
During a gynecological examination, the doctor will observe the condition of the vulva, vaginal opening, and vaginal mucosa to see if there are abnormal manifestations such as redness, swelling, and ulcers. Through a speculum examination, the condition of the vaginal wall and cervix can be observed to understand the properties and color of leucorrhea. In addition, the doctor will take a small amount of leucorrhea samples for laboratory examination.
Laboratory examination is an important basis for diagnosing vaginitis. For bacterial vaginitis, it can be judged by testing whether the amine test in the leucorrhea is positive and whether there are clue cells. A positive amine test means that after adding potassium hydroxide solution to the leucorrhea sample, a fishy smell is released, which indicates that there is a high possibility of bacterial vaginitis. Clue cells refer to a large number of anaerobic bacteria attached to the surface of leucorrhea cells observed under a microscope, which is also a typical manifestation of bacterial vaginitis.
For fungal vaginitis, laboratory examination mainly uses a microscope to examine the presence of Candida spores and hyphae in the leucorrhea sample. If a large number of spores and hyphae are found, fungal vaginitis can be diagnosed. In addition, fungal culture can be performed to further determine the type and drug sensitivity of Candida, providing a reference for treatment.
The diagnosis of trichomonas vaginitis mainly relies on microscopic examination. In the leucorrhea sample, if active trichomonas are found, it can be diagnosed. Because trichomonas is highly active and easy to be found under a microscope, the examination results are more intuitive.
4. Treatment of vaginitis
The treatment of vaginitis requires targeted measures according to different types. During the treatment process, patients should strictly follow the doctor's advice to take medication, pay attention to personal hygiene, and avoid recurrence of the disease.
▸ For bacterial vaginitis, treatment is usually based on restoring the normal balance of the vaginal flora. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics such as metronidazole and clindamycin, which can be used orally or topically. During treatment, patients should avoid sexual intercourse, pay attention to personal hygiene, and keep the vulva clean and dry. In addition, patients should try to avoid the use of antibiotics to avoid further disrupting the balance of flora in the vagina.
▸ The treatment of candidal vaginitis is mainly based on antifungal drugs. Commonly used antifungal drugs include clotrimazole, fluconazole, etc. These drugs can be used topically, such as vaginal suppositories, or taken orally. The advantage of local medication is that it can directly act on the lesion site and reduce systemic side effects. During treatment, patients should pay attention to keeping the vulva clean and dry, and avoid using foods with high sugar content, because sugar may promote the growth of Candida. For patients with recurrent candidal vaginitis, long-term preventive medication and regular review may be required.
▸ The treatment of trichomoniasis requires both husband and wife to carry out at the same time, because this disease is easily transmitted between husband and wife. The treatment drug is usually metronidazole, and the patient and the partner need to take the drug orally at the same time. During treatment, patients should avoid sexual intercourse, pay attention to personal hygiene, and avoid using public baths, bath towels, etc. to prevent re-infection.
In addition to drug treatment, patients should also pay attention to the following points in daily life: keep the vulva clean and dry, wash the vulva with warm water every day, and avoid using irritating lotions; choose cotton underwear with good breathability, and avoid wearing tight and non-breathable underwear; pay attention to sexual hygiene, and wash the vulva before and after sexual life; enhance the body's immunity and maintain good living habits, such as a reasonable diet and proper exercise.
5. Prevention of vaginitis
The key to preventing vaginitis is to maintain good personal hygiene habits and lifestyle. Female friends can reduce the risk of vaginitis through the following measures.
First, pay attention to the cleanliness of the vulva. Wash the vulva with warm water every day, and avoid using soap, shower gel and other items that may irritate the vulva. When washing, wash from front to back to avoid bringing bacteria around the anus into the vagina. Secondly, it is very important to choose suitable underwear. Try to choose cotton underwear with good breathability, and avoid wearing tight and non-breathable underwear. In addition, you should also avoid using panty liners for a long time, because panty liners will increase the humidity of the vulva and provide favorable conditions for the growth of bacteria and fungi.
In terms of sexual life, attention should be paid to sexual hygiene. The vulva should be cleaned before and after sexual intercourse, and the use of condoms can reduce the risk of infection with Trichomonas vaginitis. At the same time, frequent changes of sexual partners should be avoided as much as possible, because different sexual partners may bring different pathogens and increase the chance of infection.
In addition, maintaining good living habits can also help prevent vaginitis. Eat a reasonable diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, and avoid excessive intake of sugar and spicy and irritating foods. Proper exercise can enhance the body's immunity and improve the body's resistance. At the same time, long-term use of antibiotics should be avoided, because antibiotics can destroy the normal flora in the vagina, leading to dysbiosis, which can cause vaginitis.
Finally, regular gynecological examinations are also an important measure to prevent vaginitis. Through regular examinations, potential problems can be discovered in time, and treatment can be carried out in the early stage to avoid worsening of the disease.
Although vaginitis is a common gynecological disease, through correct understanding, active treatment and effective prevention, female friends can effectively reduce the chance of illness and maintain their health. In daily life, we should pay attention to personal hygiene, maintain good living habits, and seek medical treatment in time when symptoms occur in order to obtain correct diagnosis and treatment. Only in this way can we stay away from the troubles of vaginitis and enjoy a healthy and comfortable life.
