Vaginitis (colpitis) is one of the most common diseases in gynecology. Currently, unfortunately, the number of patients is growing. According to statistics, vaginitis occurs in every 30% of women of childbearing age.
This is associated with the spread of sexual infection, decreased immunity, frequent change of sexual partner, environmental degradation. Predisposing factors of vaginitis are hypofunction of the ovaries, non-compliance with basic rules of personal hygiene, hormonal disorders.
Vaginitis, or colpitis , is an inflammatory process that affects the entire mucous membrane of the vagina. Very often combined with inflammation of the external genitalia and can occur in the form of vulvovaginitis. The main root cause of vaginitis is the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms (gonococci, Trichomonas, pinworms) into the vagina from contaminated clothing, dirty hands, if elementary rules of personal hygiene are not observed. Often occurs with prolonged mechanical irritation of the mucous membrane. In girls 5-12 years old, vaginitis can develop when an infection enters the vagina with blood flow (with influenza, scarlet fever).
Symptoms of vaginitis
In recent years, a lot of evidence has appeared that vaginitis is in any case associated with sexual activity and is a sexually transmitted disease.
The main symptoms of vaginitis:
- swelling and redness of the vaginal mucosa;
- allocation in a large number of whites (sometimes with an admixture of blood);
- aching pain in the lower abdomen;
- burning sensation, itching of the external genital organs;
- bad smell.
Signs of vulvovaginitis in the form of redness of the external genitalia often spread to the skin of the thighs and buttocks, abundant purulent discharge, itching, and burning are found. There is also senile vaginitis, which occurs against the background of age-related changes (dryness of the vaginal mucosa) in the body.
In no case do not self-medicate! Even with the appearance of symptoms similar to those of vaginitis, the diagnosis should in any case be made by a specialist after the examination and study of the test results. You should also not delay visiting a gynecologist, because. any disease is best treated at its initial stage of development in order to avoid complications and unpleasant consequences.
It should be pointed out that although many authors state that vaginitis is often caused by a sexually transmitted infection. According to later data, 40% of cases of vaginitis occur for completely different reasons.
Vaginitis can affect a woman’s sexual activity. Reduce sexual activity, causing pain during intercourse and accompanied by an unpleasant odor. This causes a number of inconveniences for women or weakens her partner’s desire for intimacy.
About 28% of women of reproductive age very often get vaginitis. In addition, at least 60% of all cases of vaginitis are associated primarily with the bacterium Gardnerella (gardnarella), also known as Hemophilias vaginalis, or Corynebacterium vaginale.
Clinical manifestations of vaginitis
According to the clinical course, acute, subacute and chronic course of vaginitis is distinguished. In acute vaginitis, patients often complain of:
- copious discharge from the vagina of a different nature;
- unbearable itching in the vaginal area;
- feeling of burning and bursting;
- feeling of pressure, pain in the genitals and pelvis.
Many women experience problems with urination.
In the chronic form of vaginitis, pain is practically absent. Patients often complain of copious discharge, itching, burning, and small ulcers in the vaginal area. General well-being is often not affected.
Treatment of vaginitis
Bacterial vaginitis is caused by microorganisms that always live in the vagina, but there are not many of them. In a healthy woman, lactic acid bacteria predominate. But circumstances may develop in such a way that pathogenic microbes (staphylococci, streptococci, etc.) begin to multiply intensively. Their reproduction may increase during pregnancy. Take a pregnancy test. Pregnant women should definitely treat vaginitis, since during childbirth the child can become infected. Vaginitis increases the risk of cervical rupture during childbirth.
Chlamydial vaginitis can be contracted from another woman while visiting the pool, gym or using someone else’s toilet. During the treatment of vaginitis, it is required to completely refrain from sexual activity.
For the treatment of vaginitis, douching with a solution of potassium permanganate, chamomile, sage and other medicinal herbs is indicated. Candles and vaginal tablets are also used. It is better not to use antibiotics, as pathogenic microbes may be insensitive to them, and ordinary microbes may die.
After the end of the treatment of vaginitis, when the discomfort stops, you will need to go to the gynecologist and take a smear to make sure of recovery. After recovery, you will need to use products that stimulate the growth of lactobacilli and restore the normal flora of the vagina.
Treatment of vaginitis should be comprehensive and be prescribed only by a gynecologist. It depends on many reasons that led to the development of vaginitis. Treatment of vaginitis includes antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, restorative therapy.
Local treatment is widely used: washing, douching, vaginal suppositories with various products, baths with medicines. Both sexual partners should be examined and treated. During the treatment of vaginitis, it is recommended to refrain from sexual intercourse to prevent re-infection, or to use condoms.