Most women experience vaginal bacterial infections at least once in their lifetime. Even a healthy person the presence of bacteria is inevitable, but when these bacteria multiply, they lead to vaginal bacterial infections. Very often these infections are also termed as vaginitis wherein the normal balance of the bacteria in the vagina is altered leading to a bacterial infection.
The most common way of diagnosing a vaginal bacterial infection is by visual examination. The doctor will examine your cervix, vagina and the vaginal discharge. A sample of the discharge is then taken for microscopic analysis and based on the odor, texture, color and consistency of the discharge, the doctor can determine if you have a vaginal bacterial infection. In some cases your healthcare provider may also recommend a pH testing of the vagina, a DNA probes and sometimes even vaginal cultures.
The most common vaginal bacterial infection symptoms include itchiness, discomfort during urination, painful intercourse, bad smelling thick vaginal discharge and sometimes irritated skin around the vagina. Attributes of the vaginal discharge will also help determine the type of vaginitis you suffer from. In a yeast infection of the vagina, your discharge is very white, thick and looks like feta cheese. In trichomoniasis, the discharge is more froth-like and is greenish-yellow in color. The vaginal discharge in a woman suffering from bacterial vaginosis is almost grey in color and smells like fish. Symptoms of bacterial infection in women can be extremely painful and although not very alarming, must be attended to immediately.
Vaginal bacterial infection treatment is relatively simple to follow and is easily available. More so, these infections if treated early are not too threatening. Treatment depends on what symptoms you are experiencing, the severity of the infection, the type of infection, the duration and recurrence of the problem and whether you have other health conditions. Along with topical creams and gels, the doctor may also prescribe oral medication. Most commonly metronidazole is used to treat trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis and clotrimazole and fluconazole is often used to treat vaginal yeast infection.
There are also many home remedies to cure bacterial infection in the vagina. The effectiveness of these self-care rituals has not yet been proven scientifically, yet they have been used by women from time immemorial. For instance, cleansing the vaginal area with vinegar is commonly heard of. Also, using yogurt - eating it and applying it for a little while to kill the bad bacteria in the area is a common practice.
As mentioned earlier, there are different types of bacterial infections in women. The most common vaginal bacterial infections are Yeast Infection, Trichomonas vaginalis and Bacterial Vaginosis. Vaginal Yeast Infection is not a sexually transmitted infection. Yeast infection is fungal infection caused by excessive growth of C.albicans which is a fungal organism. Unchecked diabetes, certain medications and hormonal imbalance in the body are known to increase the risk of suffering from a yeast infection of the vagina.
Trichomonas vaginalis affects the urinary tract in men and in women affects the vagina. It is essentially a sexually transmitted disease. The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis causes this infection. If a person has sexual intercourse with someone suffering from this problem, then he contracts it as well.
What is bacterial vaginosis? It is a result of excessive anaerobic bacteria in the vagina. The vagina has lactobacilli and anaerobes. In a healthy vagina there are more lactobacilli than anaerobes. This balance is disturbed when there are more anerobic bacteria than lactobacilli. Vaginal Bacterial vaginosis is not necessarily an STD or Sexually Transmitted Disease, but can spread through sexual intercourse. It is most common in women who are in their reproductory years.
Bacterial vaginosis causes are not easily detectable and the factors causing the disease are manifold. Having multiple sexual partners, certain contraceptives, unprotected sex, and other such factors can increase the risk of this problem. Although bacterial vaginosis infection is most often found in women who are sexually active, many women who are virgins and women who are not sexually active are known to have suffered from this problem.
Bacterial vaginoses cures can be allopathic, homeopathic or even natural. The most common treatment involves administering antibiotics to the patient. There are a number of prescribed medications that could be used to treat the condition. These could either be ingested or even applied to the vaginal area. Sometimes the doctor may prescribe a gel or cream for the vagina. Care should be taken while using any of these medications. Find out in advance about the side-effects and be sure you follow the dos and don'ts while using them. More often than not this infection will reoccur. The causes of recurrence are also not known, but in case it does happen, a new dose of medications and a new treatment is advised to the patient.
There are many bacterial vaginosis natural remedies and cures. Once again their efficiency is still not fully proven. Lactobacillus colonization therapy is supposedly effective in restoring the bacterial balance in the vagina. This therapy aims to increase the lactobacilli count in the vagina. How can this be done? This is possible by increasing the consumption of foods high in this bacterium such as curd and yoghurt. You could improve the vaginal environment possibly by eating certain types of yogurt or other foods containing lactobacilli. Adding those extra vitamins to your diet is also advised. Keep the vagina and the area around it dry. Avoid wearing extremely tight panties. As far as possible practice protected sex.
Prevention is always better than cure. To treat vaginosis and other vaginal bacterial infections, do away with all those practices that are likely to irritate the vagina and the area around it. Use only mild cleansers to clean that zone. Have safe sex. Limit the number of sexual partners. Contrary to the popular belief, do not wash your vagina after sex. More so, do not keep washing the vaginal area. Doing this may only upset the normal balance of the bacteria present in the vagina and a disrupted only increases the chances of you getting a vaginal infection.
answered by G R