INTRODUCTION
The “lady part,” or vagina, is as prone to infections as any other part of the body. How absurd it is that not many people understand the seriousness of a vaginal infection. According to men, if I may say so, the face is the most sensitive part, and having a pimple is like the end of the world for a woman. I hope not many of you agree on this! Well, it is not how it is shown on face wash commercials. An appearance made by the pimple is so devastating that Himalaya pure neem face wash comes to the rescue and clears off the pimple with one wash! Please get your facts corrected! Anyways, today we’ll learn about different types of infections and learn about each one of them.
TYPES OF VAGINAL INFECTIONS
The vagina is a sensitive body part, and any minute change can cause it to function differently and cause discomfort. So, we have to be very careful about it. Infection in the vagina can be very irritating and hard to deal with, as it is a constant discomfort. Some of the vaginal infections are
1. Bacterial Vaginosis
Within our vagina reside many friendly bacteria that help in the regular functioning of the vagina and maintaining its health. One such bacteria is lactobacilli. When the normal amount gets low, it triggers a vaginal infection. The scientific reasoning to justify the change in bacteria levels is quite unknown. However, it is assumed that the overgrowth or maximized production of other bacteria causes the number of lactobacilli to get low and cause the infection. The most common bacteria associated with BV is Gardnerella, whose overproduction causes the symptoms of the infection. The best way to detect vaginal infections is by observing the discharge. During bacterial vaginosis, we may see either a clear yet slippery discharge or a thick white discharge. Since the discharge is rather normal, it is difficult to detect it according to the personal observation of the discharge.
2. Trichomoniasis
Trichomonas vaginitis is a sexually transmitted disease. Vaginal infections are highly caused by sexual intercourse, and it is time we start to take this seriously. Sexually active women are most likely to get such diseases, so we must take the required precautions. Appropriate protection like a condom is a must along with natural and regular vaginal wash. You do not have to invest highly in vaginal washes; rather, washing mildly with soap and water is more than enough. Just don’t keep the soap for too long. The symptoms here are similar to other vaginal infections, like redness, irritation, burning, etc.
3. Yeast Infection
The most common vaginal fungal infection is a yeast infection. Similar to bacteria, fungus resides in our body as well. The common fungus causing the infection is Candida Albicans, which is present in small numbers in our bodies. The fungus present in the vagina undergoes maximum production or overgrowth, leading to the infection. The cause for the outgrowth can be quite a few reasons, like
● Hormonal changes occurring due to menstruation and pregnancy create an imbalance in the vagina, causing vaginal infections. The consumption of birth control pills or contraceptive pills is responsible for many hormonal changes in the body as well, leading to the overgrowth of the fungus.
● HIV/AIDS makes the immune system very weak. This leads to making the patient more prone to yeast infections.
● Chronic diabetes or high blood sugar increases the risk of yeast infection. Common yeast vaginal infection symptoms are itchiness and redness in the vagina along with thick and white discharge.
4. Gonorrhea
It is another sexually transmitted disease, and it is highly contagious as well. The symptoms of this infection are rather painful and may spread rapidly if left untreated, along with continued engagement in coitus. Women feel pain during urination and vaginal intercourse, along with vaginal discharge and itchiness.
5. Non-Infectious Vaginitis
The cause of this vaginal infection is not typically a bacteria, virus, or fungus. The infection occurs due to irritant surroundings around the skin of the vagina, for example, a scented tampon, perfumed soaps, vaginal fragrance, or a fabric softener. The smell and the chemicals present irritate the normal surroundings of the vagina, causing the skin to itch and burn. It is also seen in women undergoing menopause due to a thin and dried vagina with a lack of flexibility.
CONCLUSION
The vagina is a very sensitive part, and a proper vaginal infection treatment must be undertaken to be relieved of the pain as soon as possible. Vaginal infections are a part of life, and we can certainly not run away from them forever. So, take as many precautions as possible, and in case of the infection, treat it as naturally as possible. Exposing the vagina to heavy chemicals is not a good idea and may aggravate the situation as well. Generally, the vaginal discharge is a good indicator of the problems occurring within, but it is hard to differentiate between a normal discharge and an infected discharge. So, it is always better to have a chat with the doctor, tell them about the problems honestly, and seek medical help.
