Vaginal infections or vaginitis is an umbrella term to refer to itching, inflammation, irritation or infection in the vagina. Don’t worry, most people have been affected by it at one point or another. It’s pretty standard and easy to treat.
What Causes Vaginal Infections?
Normal vaginal pH ranges between 3.8 and 5.0; any imbalance in it can be a cause of infection. They can even be caused due to any external products which don’t agree with your vagina. They can be of different types like:
- Yeast Infections: When the healthy yeast in your vagina grows exponentially, it can lead to a chemical imbalance, which can result in itching, and discharge and may even sting when you pee.
- Bacterial Vaginosis: As the name suggests, it’s a bacterial infection usually caused by gardnerella vaginalis, a common type of bacteria in the vagina.
- Trichomoniasis: is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. Vaginal discharge may be smelly (fishy smell), with itching and irritation in the vagina.
Lack of oestrogen (due to menopause or other factors), sex, allergies, irritants like condoms, lube, or even toilet paper, scented soaps, sanitary products, and sex toys can all cause imbalance in the chemical makeup of the vagina.
Symptoms:
- You feel discomfort, and your vagina is swollen or irritated with an itchy or burning feeling.
- Vaginal discharge isn’t normal; it’s grey, white or yellow and smelly and not translucent white.
- You pee more often than usual
- Discomfort during sex
Treatment:
- Contact your doctor. You might be put on antibiotics or other medicines. It is important to pinpoint which kind of infection you have to get the right treatment, something your doctor will have knowledge of.
- Increase intake of fluids. Cranberry juice, rehydrating solutions like ORS, and coconut water will help you get rid of the infection faster.
- Increase intake of probiotics like yoghurt.
- Cease all use of hygiene products, including soap. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and doesn’t need outside interference.
- Avoid clothes that hold in heat and moisture, as they are a breeding ground for infections. You need to let your vagina breathe.
- Avoid sex for a while, especially if things like condoms or sperm were the trigger in the first place.
Vaginal infections are common and nothing to be scared of. Often they go on their own, sometimes, they need outside help. The best case scenario is to try to avoid them by practising vaginal health.
Image credits: @okaymontana on IG