The term vaginitis indicates an inflammation of the vaginal mucosa of variable etiology, which causes the discharge of secretions. These substances can be very different, although some of their characteristics make it possible to distinguish one disease from another. In most cases, they are not a symptom of sexually transmitted diseases, but are much more often the consequence of an imbalance in the bacterial flora of the vagina. Vaginitis can occur as a fungal infection or as an allergic response of the vaginal tissues. The best way to treat this inflammation involves first of all identifying the type to undergo the appropriate treatment, since each type of vaginitis is managed with different methods.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Understanding Bacterial Vaginosis
Step 1. Get a diagnosis
The best way to understand the type of vaginal infection that has affected you is to see a gynecologist. You may experience certain signs or symptoms that indicate the disorder, so it is important to refer the case to a professional.
- You must be examined even if: you are sexually active, you potentially suffer from some venereal disease, the discharge is foul-smelling, you have symptoms of atrophy, you are in the age of menopause and perimenopause or you have a sexual partner (man or woman) with trichomoniasis.
- When you go to your appointment, the doctor performs a pelvic exam to look inside the vagina and vulva for inflammation or swelling and take a sample of the secretion for analysis. Likely, he also examines the cervix to determine if it is the source of the discharge, in which case it would be cervicitis, an inflammation that could indicate a sexually transmitted disease, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. He may also take a swab from the cervix or recommend a urinalysis for further testing.
Step 2. Learn about bacterial vaginosis
This is a change in the normal balance of the vagina, which occurs when the bacterial flora is altered and the pH becomes higher than normal.
It is an infection that mainly develops in women who do vaginal douches, who have multiple sexual partners and who smoke
Step 3. Observe the symptoms
There is a main one: the presence of a milky white discharge with a fishy smell. The best way to diagnose bacterial vaginosis is through an examination performed by the gynecologist, who takes a sample of the secretion to examine it under a microscope and evaluate for the presence of epithelial cells covered with bacteria, or "clue cells".
The gynecologist can also perform the "breath test" to analyze the characteristic fishy smell
Step 4. Take medication to treat the ailment
Once you have a clear diagnosis of this infection, you need to get a prescription for treatment, which usually consists of taking oral metronidazole tablets, such as Flagyl. The recommended dose is 500 mg to be taken twice a day for one week. Alternatively, you can take the topical gel antibiotic. In the package you will find an applicator to be able to insert the gel before going to bed; the treatment lasts seven days.
Tinidazole, like Trimonase, is a similar antibiotic, but of the latest generation, which must be prescribed by the doctor; you need to take a 2mg pill once a day for a week
Step 5. Try natural remedies to prevent recurrence
There are many natural solutions to treat your ailment; you can take probiotics to restore the natural balance of the vaginal bacterial flora. You find them in the form of oral pills to be taken twice a day for a week; if you choose the vaginal suppository formulation, the treatment lasts one month. Studies have found that women who have relapsed bacterial vaginosis and who take lactobacillus supplements in combination with antibiotic treatment are better able to manage the disorder.
Alternatively, you can eat yogurt containing probiotics every day; you should also avoid douching, as the natural secretions of the vagina have the specific purpose of keeping it clean and, as a result, you only need external washes with soap and water
Part 2 of 4: Learning about Yeast Infection
Step 1. Learn about this form of vaginitis
Yeast infection, or candida vulvovaginitis, is very common; over 50% of women are affected or have had it once in their life, although only 5% experience relapses. This type of disorder often develops during antibiotic therapy that alters the normal colony of "good" bacteria in the vagina.
- Symptoms include thick, cottage cheese-like discharge, usually accompanied by itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina, making the area sensitive.
- Some women may have multiple episodes of this disorder, even contracting four or more infections each year, although these are rare cases.
Step 2. Get a diagnosis
Generally, you can tell that it is a yeast infection even at home; if you have symptoms, you can do a visual exam to see if you are seeing all the warning signs. Through visual analysis, you should notice if the vulva and labia are inflamed; you should also have a noticeable, thick-looking, whitish or yellowish discharge along the vaginal cavity, but they are not foul-smelling.
Step 3. Watch out for frequent yeast infections
If you have three or more of them in a year that are not related to antibiotic therapy, you need to make a note of them and go to the gynecologist. Physician intervention is important, as frequent antifungal treatment for yeast infections can cause systemic toxicity. You need to be very careful, as the infection may actually hide an underlying cause, such as a lowered immune system due to HIV.
Don't rely on a simple self-diagnosis. If you just tell your GP that you have a yeast infection without having a thorough examination by the specialist, the primary care doctor may prescribe some medication in an attempt to fix the problem, but it may not actually be helpful, because the problem could come from some more serious pathology, such as venereal disease
Step 4. Treat the yeast infection
You can take oral or topical medications; antifungal active ingredients are prescribed that can fight the yeast responsible for the infection. Your doctor may recommend a single 150 mg oral dose of fluconazole (Diflucan). You can also choose the topical format of this drug or clotrimazole (Canesten), both available in pharmacies without a prescription; topical treatment is the most common solution, because the cream can be purchased without a prescription.
- Almost all topical medications are similar in efficacy and safety, none better than another; the differences essentially concern the posology. You can find creams or vaginal pessaries to apply only once, while in other cases it is necessary to follow the treatment for up to a week.
- If you are concerned that you may not be able to remember to apply the cream in the evening, a single dose oral treatment is perhaps the best option for you; however, this solution requires a prescription.
Part 3 of 4: Learn about Trichomoniasis
Step 1. Learn about this disease
It is a type of vaginitis caused by a protozoan and affects 5 million people every year in the United States alone. The pathogen is a microscopic parasite with a tail; in men, if the infection is left untreated, it can lead to chronic prostatitis. The disease has some characteristic symptoms; the secretion that develops may be greenish in color, itchy and even have a fishy odor.
It is a sexually transmitted infection; therefore, if you are concerned that you are affected, you must inform your partner, so that you can both undergo tests and treatment before returning to have sexual intercourse; if either partner is diagnosed with the disease, both of you still need treatment
Step 2. Get a diagnosis
Usually, the gynecologist takes care of it. A vaginal swab is performed by taking a sample of the secretion and examining it under a microscope with a drop of saline; this procedure allows you to see the presence of the parasite swimming in the solution and thus be able to identify the infection.
- However, there may be a discrepancy; for this reason, the gynecologist can also undergo other standard tests, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), to define exactly the disease you are suffering from. A Pap smear can also be done.
- If a pregnant woman is affected by this disease and does not undergo treatment, complications could arise, such as the birth of an underweight baby or early delivery due to premature rupture of the membranes (PROM).
Step 3. Get treatment
Like bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis can also be treated with oral medications, such as Flagyl. The recommended dose is usually 2 g to be taken by mouth once; the partner should follow the same therapy at the same time. While taking the medications, you must refrain from sexual intercourse until the end of the treatment and do not drink alcohol.
Some studies also recommend taking tinidazole (Trimonase) for this infection. If prescribed, a 2 mg dose is sufficient; this drug has a success rate of between 86 and 100%
Part 4 of 4: Learning about other forms of vaginitis
Step 1. Learn about atrophic vaginitis
There is only a certain group of women who are afraid of suffering from it; this disorder is caused by the normal hormonal change that occurs in the period of menopause, when estrogen production decreases, leading to a reduction in the normal secretions that keep the vagina lubricated. 40% of menopausal women complain of this problem.
Inflammation is often accompanied by weakening of the pelvic wall and other genitourinary symptoms that promote urinary tract infections; you should undergo medical tests to rule out these other disorders
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms
Atrophic vaginitis is caused by vaginal dryness and thinning of its mucous membranes, which in turn cause itching and pain during sexual intercourse. It is an inflammation that can also occur outside the natural menopause, for example when a woman undergoes surgery to remove the ovaries and enters a form of premature menopause or when she suffers from other diseases.
Step 3. Treat the disorder with hormone replacement therapy
This form of vaginitis can be cured with this treatment, which supplies the body with the hormones lost due to menopause.
- The treatment involves taking the hormones every day in the form of pills.
- An alternative is hospemifene, sold under the name Senshio, to be taken once a day.
Step 4. Treat inflammation with creams
You can apply estrogen-based ointments to manage symptoms. When applied to the vaginal area, the cream is absorbed by the tissues; in this way, you get the desired effects and keep the symptoms in the vaginal area under control.
Step 5. Learn about vaginal contact dermatitis
Like other contact or allergic dermatitis, vaginal dermatitis is also an allergic reaction; instead of manifesting symptoms in other parts of the body, the disturbances are concentrated in the vagina. It can be caused by the detergents you use to wash underwear, vaginal showers, condoms, a lubricant, or any other product that the genital area comes into contact with.
- To treat this form of vaginitis, you need to get rid of the allergen; You may need to do a lot of research, but try to find the trigger as soon as possible to relieve symptoms. At that point, you can use steroid creams available at the pharmacy without a prescription, such as 1% hydrocortisone, and apply them to the affected area twice a day for five days. This treatment reduces itching and inflammation.
- You can also take antihistamines, such as Zirtec or Clarityn, to relieve the allergic reaction. Take a 10 mg daily dose to manage symptoms; in severe cases, see your doctor for a prescription for prednisone tapering therapy for immediate relief.
