Women’s sexual health

A women’s vagina is her most secret and sacred spot. It is also from here that she derives her utmost pleasure along with several deep emotions. It is through this orifice that she can connect with her most intimate partner. Physically, the vagina is the muscular passage standing between the uterus and the external genital area. However, this muscle, though equipped with its sophisticated defenses against sickness, is also prone to abnormalities. When the walls of the vagina are inflamed, due to some irritant that has disturbed the pH balance of the vaginal area, this is when vaginitis can occur.

Vaginitis is a common malady among women. It refers to any inflammation or infection within the muscles of the vagina. This is especially prevalent as a gynecological problem of women of all ages. Most women actually have at least one form of vaginitis at some time or the other during their lives.

There are many causes that lead to Vaginitis, most common are yeast, bacteria, viruses, chemicals found in creams or sprays, and even clothing. Sometimes, vaginitis occurs because of organisms that are easily passed between sexual partners. Apart form these organisms, the vaginal environment is easily influenced also by a lot of different factors which may pave way to vaginitis. This would include a woman's health, her medications, hormones especially estrogen, her personal hygiene, and just how healthy her sexual partner is.

Any of the factors mentioned above can trigger vaginitis. At the onset of vaginitis, it can then be categorized into mny types. Among the most common types of vaginitis are:

We will be discussing these types of vaginitis in detail in parts 1 and 2 of this article for each type is unique from the other. It is important that you’ll also be able to distinguish one form the other, especially if you are suspecting yourself to be having this inflammation. Each of these infections can be attributed to a different cause and can also present different sets of symptoms. Thus, though vaginitis can be easily contacted as a disease, it is often difficult to diagnose because it is complicated. Apart form this, there are also cases when more than one type of vaginitis may occur at the same time in one person, even with or without symptoms for one being present.

Candida Infections

Candida infections are more commonly called as Yeast infections. These are caused by one of the fungus which is known as Candida. This fungus normally lives inside the vagina in relatively small numbers. They can also thrive and be present in the mouth and digestive tract for both men and women.

And, since yeast is normally around and well-balanced in the vagina, the infection can only occur when there something in a woman's system which upsets this the usual balance. A common example for this is when an antibiotic is introduced to the body to treat an infection at some part in the body. This will upset the balance down below like in this case, the antibiotic, which is essentially good, ended up killing the bacteria that normally protects the yeast in the vagina. Because of this, the yeast in turn, overgrows leading to an infection.

Some of the other factors which can lead to imbalance in our vagina occurs when we are pregnant. At this crucial stage, we experience changes in our hormonal levels. Another instance would be the case of diabetes where there is too much sugar in the urine and the vagina.

The most common symptom of a Candida infection would be the appearance of a thick, white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge, that is watery and usually odorless. This is also accompanied with itchiness and the redness of the vulva and vagina in general. However, each of us may experience our own symptoms differently. Also, the symptoms of a Candida infection may only resemble other conditions or underlying other medical problems. You must always therefore consult your physician for an appropriate diagnosis.

While any woman can potentially develop a yeast infection, there are however those women who may be more at an increased risk. The following women should be careful therefore of their vaginal health:

Treatment for proven vaginal Candida infections, however, can only be determined by a physician based on the following:

Bacterial Vaginosis

While it is the yeast infections that are the most commonly discussed vaginal infections, its popularity nothing compared to the BV’s. The bacterial vaginosis or BV, is actually the most common among the types of vaginitis in women, especially in the reproductive age.

The infection is caused by bacteria, instead of a yeast. When you have a bacterial vaginosis infection, some other certain species in the normal vaginal bacteria environment would grow out of control and thus would trigger an inflammation. Most of the time, the cause of bacterial vaginosis is not known.

To know whether you have bacterial vaginosis, you must take note of your vaginal discharge. Although it is normal for women to have some vaginal discharge, there are some cases when it’s not normal anymore. The normal discharge can be easily distinguished depending on what stage of the menstrual cycle a woman is in. The usual discharge is either thick or whitish, or it is slippery and clear. Along with this discharge, there is only a little odor and it is NOT accompanied by itching or burning. However, an abnormal vaginal discharge can signal a vaginal, cervical, or even a sexually transmitted infection. Such abnormal discharge would look something like having changes in color, quantity, or texture of the usual fluid that is discharged. It is also very noticeable that there is an accompanying unpleasant odor as well as some bleeding, spotting, or bloody discoloration. Lastly, it is abnormal when you feel some itching and burning at your vagina or your vulva.

The most common symptom for bacterial vaginosis may include a milky and thin discharge at times, or a heavy and gray discharge. There is always that "fishy" odor which may become extremely more noticeable during intercourse. However, each of us may experience our own symptoms differently. Also, the symptoms of a bacterial vaginosis may only resemble other conditions or underlying other medical problems. You must always therefore consult your physician for an appropriate diagnosis.

If you are a pregnant woman and you were proven to have this bacterial vaginosis then you must receive treatment for this condition right away. A bacterial vaginosis can cause a lot of complications during pregnancy and has often been linked to a preterm delivery.

The bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacteria so it is treated generally with the ordinary oral antibiotics. However, there are also specific treatments that cater to unique cases of bacterial vaginosis. This specific treatment will have to be determined by a physician based on the following:

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis has many names because it is also quite prevalent, being a sexually transmitted infection. The Trichomoniasis is otherwise known as the trichomonas, or "trich" as it is commonly pet named.

This infection is caused by a tiny one-celled parasite called the Trichomonas vaginalis. This little devil is actually passes between partners during sexual intercourse. However, causes more havoc to the man than to the woman. Most men do not present the symptoms of trichomoniasis therefore the infection is not diagnosed until the woman develops and manifested her own symptoms of vaginitis.

Speaking of symptoms, the common symptoms of trichomoniasis is a frothy and often musty-smelling, and greenish-yellow discharge. This is accompanied with itching in and around the vagina and the vulva for the women. A shared symptom for both sexes is the burning sensation during urination, some discomfort felt in the lower abdomen and pain during sexual penetration.

Each of us may experience our own symptoms of trichomoniasis differently. In fact, some women with trichomoniasis are asymptomatic. Also, the symptoms of a trichomoniasis infection may only resemble other conditions or underlying other medical problems. You must always therefore consult your physician for an appropriate diagnosis.

If you are a pregnant woman and you were proven to have this trichomoniasis then you must receive treatment for this condition right away. This type of vaginitis can also cause a lot of complications during pregnancy and has often been linked to a preterm delivery.

Treatment for proven vaginal trichomoniasis infections, however, can only be determined by a physician based on the following:

For specific treatments, both partners must be treated for trichomoniasis to avoid further re-infection. The treatment given is generally taking oral antibiotics. If a woman has more than one sexual partner however, each of her partners must also be treated or the infection can easily spread.

Noninfectious Vaginitis

The noninfectious vaginitis is usually referred to merely as a vaginal irritation since it is without an infection being present. The most common cause for this irritation are also common, everyday activities. This allergic reaction is an irritation due to vaginal sprays, douches, or even spermicidal products. It may be also be caused by a woman’s sensitivity towards perfumed soaps, detergents, or the scented fabric softeners.

The most common symptoms of noninfectious vaginitis may include: vaginal itching, vaginal burning, vaginal discharge and pelvic pain particularly during vaginal intercourse. However, each of us may experience our own symptoms differently. Also, the symptoms of a noninfectious vaginitis infection may only resemble other conditions or underlying other medical problems. You must always therefore consult your physician for an appropriate diagnosis.

Treatment for noninfectious vaginitis is treated generally through estrogen creams and oral tablets. Through these, there will be a restoration in lubrication and eventually decrease soreness and irritation in the vagina.

However, there are also specific treatments that cater to unique cases of bacterial vaginosis. This specific treatment will have to be determined by a physician based on the following: