Vaginal Infections
August 19, 2009
Vaginal infection cause immense discomfort and embarrassment to women. Vaginal infections are mainly classified into two parts based on their cause- bacterial vaginosis and trichomonad vaginalis. These infections must be treated well or they may lead to serious consequences like development of PID (pelvic inflammatory diseases).
Bacterial vaginosis
This type of bacterial infection is the most common one in women. Lactobacilli are the “healthy bacteria” present in the vaginal area. Infection happens when the growth of these bacteria is replaced by overgrowth of anaerobic lactobacillus and gardnerella vaginalis.
These two are the “unhealthy bacteria”. The overgrowth may occur due to pH imbalance in the vaginal region. When the pH becomes alkaline from the slightly normal acidic vagina an imbalance is occurs.
Signs and symptoms include redness around the vagina, anus and vulva. There is a burning sensation during micturation and a smelly grayish yellow vaginal discharge can be seen, especially after sex.
Treatment
Oral drugs are usually prescribed which carry metronidazole (antimicrobial) doxycycline, clindamycine (antibiotics) as the key ingredients. The antibiotic may cause elimination of vaginal lactobacilli (healthy bacteria) along with the invasive bacteria. This may even lead to vaginal thrush. But the anti-microbial metronidazole will eliminate only the anaerobic bacteria.
Sid effects include excess flatulence, nausea and vomiting.
Trichomonas vaginalis
One can catch this type of vaginal infection caused due to the parasite “trichomonad” if you have a sexual intercourse with someone already infected with it. There are not many distinctive signs for this kind of vaginal infection. But a greenish yellow frothy vaginal discharge which has a fishy smell has been observed.
Treatment
For eliminating trichomonad antimicrobial drugs which contain metronidazole are prescribed. These are usually taken orally only. The unwanted growth must be controlled on time or else symptoms of PID may appear. These include back pain, bleeding in between periods, fever, and pain during sex and micturation.
In this the infection spreads from vagina through the cervix to the other reproductive parts including the ovaries. The condition is characterized by serious inflammation of the female reproductive parts.
There are many over-the-counter drugs available that help in treatment of vaginal infections but if discomfort persists one must consult doctor immediately.
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