Vaginal infections can be caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses, and cause symptoms such as intense itching in the intimate area, redness, whitish discharge with a strong smell, wounds and warts in the genital region and abdominal pain, for example.
Vaginal infections can occur due to an imbalance in immunity, which causes microorganisms naturally present in the genital region to proliferate and cause infection, or be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse.
Vaginal infections can be cured and their treatment must be guided by a gynecologist, as it is necessary to identify which organism is causing the infection and which medicine is most appropriate to eliminate it.
Main symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the causative agent, but some typical signs and symptoms are:
- Pain or burning when urinating;
- Pain during intercourse;
- Itching in the intimate region;
- Discharge with or without a bad smell;
- Wounds, ulcers or warts in the intimate region
- Redness of the entire affected area;
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
These symptoms can appear isolated or combined, and it is common for a woman to present at least 2 of these symptoms. Furthermore, it is important to remember that other diseases can cause some of the symptoms, such as pain in the stomach or during intercourse, for example, and the main way to identify and confirm that it is a genital infection is through consultation with a gynecologist. , who can carry out a thorough assessment and request tests, if necessary.
Therefore, other changes such as allergies or hormonal changes can also cause these symptoms. Find out more about these and other possible causes of inflammation in the vagina.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of vaginal infection is made by the gynecologist initially by evaluating the signs and symptoms presented by the woman together with carrying out a gynecological examination.
Furthermore, to identify the cause of the infection in the vagina, the doctor may request more specific tests, such as analyzing vaginal secretion, testing for sexually transmitted infections, urinalysis and blood tests, for example.
Make an appointment with your nearest gynecologist, using the following tool, to investigate the vaginal infection and begin the most appropriate treatment:
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Main causes
The main causes of vaginal infections are:
- Candida sp., responsible for candidiasis;
- Gardnerella sp., responsible for bacterial vaginosis;
- Trichomonas vaginalis that causes trichomoniasis;
- herpes virus, what causes or genital herpes;
- human papillomavirus, responsible for HPV;
- Chlamydia trachomatis that causes chlamydia;
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae, that causes gonorrhea;
- Treponema pale, responsible for syphilis.
It is important that the cause of the vaginal infection is identified so that the most appropriate treatment can be initiated, combating the infectious agent, preventing transmission and relieving symptoms.
How transmission happens
Some microorganisms are naturally present in the genital region without causing signs or symptoms, as is the case with Candida sp. and from Gardnerella sp.. However, due to changes in immunity, for example, they can proliferate and cause symptoms of infection.
Furthermore, some vaginal infections can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse, such as trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, for example. Learn more about sexually transmitted infections.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for vaginal infection is carried out with the aim of eliminating the causing microorganism, and is indicated by the doctor according to the infectious agent and symptoms presented by the woman.
1. Treatment with medicine
Treatment for vaginal infection caused by fungi is normally done with the use of antifungals, such as Clotrimazole or Miconazole, in the form of ointment or vaginal tablets that must be applied for up to 3 days or in a single application, according to the doctor’s recommendation. , to combat fungi.
However, when the infection is caused by another type of microorganisms, such as bacteria, the doctor may prescribe the use of oral or vaginal antibiotics, such as Clindamycin or Metronidazole, for example, to eliminate the bacteria and alleviate symptoms. In the case of genital warts caused by HPV, a cauterization procedure for the lesions is also indicated.
Furthermore, it is recommended to always use a condom during intimate contact as there is a chance of passing the microorganism to your partner and then becoming infected again after treatment.
2. Homemade options
A great homemade option to complement the treatment of vaginal infections is mastic tea, in the form of a sitz bath, as it helps to rebalance the vaginal flora and prevent infections such as bacterial vaginosis. Check out some home remedies for vaginal infection.
It is important to remember that home remedies do not exclude the need to undergo a medical evaluation and follow the instructions.
During the treatment of genital infection, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, sugar and fatty foods. Furthermore, another important tip that helps to strengthen the immune system and avoid vaginal infections is to drink around 1.5 liters of water per day and give preference to vegetables and fruits.
How to avoid vaginal infections
Some precautions that help prevent the development of vaginal infections include:
- Wear cotton underwear that is not too tight;
- Avoid wearing very tight pants;
- Avoid excessive use of intimate showers;
- Keep the intimate area always clean and dry.
It is important to remember that the main way to avoid any vaginal infection is to use condoms, both male and female.
