Vaginal Infection - Symptom, Treatment And Causes

In a healthy individual, there are millions of microorganisms in different parts of the body which are essential for normal functioning of that particular organ. Be it the mouth or the gut or the reproductive tract, there are normally organisms. These form part of the normal flora of that body part. It is when there is an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria, where the bad ones take over, then there is a problem. This results in an infection, which manifests with symptoms and requires treatment.

Vaginal yeast infection is one of the most common such conditions and almost 75% of the women would have had it at least once in their lifetime. It is most commonly caused by the yeast Candida albicans, which is normally present in the vagina. Though it can be sexually transmitted, it is not a usual STD.

Causes: The vagina also contains the bacteria Lactobacillus, which produces acid and is essential for maintaining an acidic environment. This acidic environment ensures there is no overgrowth of the yeast. For various reasons, this balance is lost and there is an overgrowth of yeast leading to vaginal yeast infections. Some of the common causes are listed below.

• Antibiotic usage, which kills the Lactobacillus count and increases vaginal pH
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Weakened immunity due to various reasons
• Pregnancy
• Increased levels of oestrogen due to use of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy

Symptoms: The symptoms would depend on the severity of the infection.

• Vaginal itching, burning, and irritation
• Vulvar swelling, irritation, and redness
• Burning sensation with urination or intercourse
• Vaginal rash
• Vaginal soreness and pain
• Vaginal discharge that can be thick or thin, white or clear, odor-free or foul-smelling

In cases of recurrent vaginal yeast infections, there could be more than 4 infections per year along with extensive burning and itching and swelling that could even lead to cracks and fissures.

Diagnosis: Though the symptoms can be helpful in diagnosis, sometimes a pelvic exam and swab of the vaginal discharge might be required to confirm the diagnosis. This is especially required in cases of repeated infections.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Monthly menstrual cycles become a part of woman’s life after a certain stage. They get accustomed to it and adapt their lifestyle too. However, there could be abnormal vaginal bleeding, which is defined as:
Bleeding that is outside of the menstrual cycle (bleeding outside of the expected dates). This is also known as intermenstrual bleeding or metrorrhagia.

• Menstrual bleeding that is abnormally low or high as compared to your regular flow
• Before menarche (before 9 years of age), during pregnancy, or after menopause

Causes: It is important to realise that abnormal vaginal bleeding is only a symptom and not the disease per se. In most women, there are underlying reasons that lead to abnormal bleeding, some of them are listed below.
In some women, ovulation can cause a mid-cycle bleeding, which becomes a pattern for most women, and they know it is nothing to worry about.

1. Miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy: Vaginal bleeding is the most common symptom of miscarriage and requires immediate medical attention.
2. Hormonal imbalances: This can be caused due to starting and stopping of birth control pills, thyroid abnormalities, or ovarian malfunctions. This requires investigation and management based on the underlying cause.
3. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): This presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries also has hormonal changes and can cause bleeding in affected women.
4. Infections: Infections along the gynecologic tract including the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries can cause bleeding. Sexually transmitted infections including gonorrhoea and chlamydia are also causes for bleeding
5. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): It can cause inflammation of the entire gynecologic tract and induce bleeding
6. An abnormally placed intrauterine device (IUD): It can also alter the regular menstrual flow.
7. Other reasons: Fibroids, endometriosis, cancers of the uterine cavity are other reasons for abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Prevention/Management of vaginal bleeding: Abnormal bleeding requires investigation to find out the underlying cause and needs to be treated accordingly.

1. Birth control: When using birth control measures, be it pills or patches, expect some bleeding during the first 3 months before things settle down. Similarly, intrauterine devices can cause some bleeding (foreign body effect).
2. Pregnancy complications: Bleeding during pregnancy requires immediate medical attention. In most cases, it indicates a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (where the embryo is planted in the fallopian tubes and not the uterus).
3. Infections: While STDs can be prevented, once acquired, like other infections, they also require antibiotics and supportive care.
4. Medical conditions: Be it polycystic ovaries, fibroids, endometriosis, cancer, or PID, all these require detailed investigation and management on a case-to-case basis.

If you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, do not ignore it and reach out for medical help.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Vaginal fungal infection, otherwise called candidiasis, is a typical female condition. Fungal infections are brought on by the growth Candida. This growth is connected with extreme itching, swelling, and irritation. Every fungal infection is distinctive. Therefore, your doctor will recommend a treatment that is best for you. Medicines are by and large decided depending upon the seriousness of the infection.

A particular type of yeast called Candida albicans brings about most of the fungal infections. These fungal infections are effectively treatable. In case you are having repeating infections or issues disposing of an infection with ordinary treatment, then an alternate form of Candida may be the cause. A lab test can tell your doctor which sort of Candida you have. Here are a few ways with which you can deal with vaginal fungal infections:

Simple infections
For simple fungal infections, your specialist will mostly recommend the following treatment(s):

1. A one to three-day application of an antifungal cream, balm or tablet Normal antifungal medicines is butoconazole (Gynazole), miconazole (Lotrimin), Monistat, and terconazole (Terazol). These medicines can be either prescribed or available over-the-counter.
2. A solitary intake of oral medicine, for example, fluconazole (Diflucan).
3. Women with simple fungal infections need to follow up with their specialist to make sure whether the medicine worked. A follow-up will likewise be important if your symptoms return within two months.

Complicated infections
Certain types of Candida will not react to simple treatment and will require a more forceful strategy. In case you meet one of the following criteria, your specialist will more likely tell you that your fungal infection is an extreme one.

Conceivable medications for extreme or complicated vaginal fungal infections include:

1. 14-day cream, balm, tablet, or suppository vaginal treatment
2. A few measures of fluconazole (Diflucan)
3. Long-term medicine of fluconazole (Diflucan) that is taken once a week for six weeks.
4. Treatment of your sexual partner or use of condoms while having intercourse.

You can treat vaginal fungal infections with regular cures in case that you might want to abstain from taking physician-recommended medicine. These are some mainstream normal cures:

1. Tea tree oil cream
2. Garlic or boric acid vaginal balms
3. Plain yoghurt taken orally or applied into the vagina

Here are some normal strategies for counteractive action:

1. Abstain from wearing tight jeans, underwear, tights, or stockings
2. Abstain from utilising female antiperspirant or antiperspirant tampons or cushions
3. Try not to roam around in wet clothes, particularly swimsuits
4. Eat an all around adjusted diet
5. Eat yoghurt or eat foods with lactobacillus
6. Wear soft clothing, for example, cotton, cloth, or silk
7. Abstain from sitting in hot tubs
8. Wash clothes in warm water
9. Abstain from using hot water bags
10. Throw away old underwear as often as possible

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Burning urination or painful urination is also called dysuria, and it is one of the most common complaints amongst women. Another common problem is frequent urination. What are the causes of these two conditions? Are they in fact related? 

Frequent urination, in simple terms, is also sometimes called overactive bladder and it is the need to urinate more than you normally would. This can cause loss of bladder control too. You may feel extremely full even after using the toilet and the feeling is extremely uncomfortable. Medical practitioners bracket urinating every two hours or more as frequent urination.

Some of the underlying causes are

1. A urinary tract infection or UTI is the most common cause of frequent urination. UTIs happen when bacteria enters your urinary bladder through the urethra. Men also get UTIs, but it is less common than women as the ladies have shorter urethras. This means that bacteria have less distance to travel before they can infect the urinary tract causing UTIs. UTIs in women can be prevented by proper wiping after using the toilet, which will protect the urethra from E.coli bacteria. Proper hygiene also is a deterrent, especially after intercourse.
2. Medical conditions affecting muscles, nerves, and tissues. Weakening of nerves due to hernias in the lower back etc. can also cause an overactive bladder.
3. Oestrogen deficiency caused due to menopause can cause an overactive bladder and a woman finds it difficult to hold the urine for long.
4. Obesity can also place extra pressure on the bladder.

Burning sensation while urinating 

Common reasons behind it

1. Frequent urination does not point to any gynaecological issues but burning urination is a common symptom of sexually transmitted diseases or STDs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea which cause symptoms like pain when urinating and vaginal discharge. Burning urination usually occurs after intercourse when sexually transmitted infections are present.
2. Burning while urination can also be caused due to UTIs and it is often accompanied by other symptoms of UTIs like painful urination or dysuria or blood in the urine.
3. Kidney stones are solid masses of crystalized calcium or other materials that start in the kidneys but can pass through the urinary tract causing pain and discomfort.
4. Urethral stricture is a condition when the urethra narrows and this causes burning and pain during urination in women.
5. Urethritis is the inflammation of the urethra in women can cause burning on urination.
6. Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection of the reproductive organs in women and causes abdominal pain especially during urination or sex.
7. Bladder cancer
8. Vulvovaginitis is a common infection of the vulva and vagina, both, and it causes burning and itching while urinating and increased vaginal discharge.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

A yeast infection in the vagina is characterized by itchiness, irritation in the vulva and vaginal discharge. Inflammation occurs in the tissues of the vagina, leading to constant itching. Though this is not a sexually transmitted infection, the fungus may spread via oral sex where the mouth and genitals come in contact.

The symptoms of vaginal yeast infection are:

1. You may experience a painful sensation during sexual intercourse

2. An itching sensation in the vaginal opening

3. A sore and painful vagina

4. Rashes may develop in the vagina

5. You may have a thick and whitish discharge from your vagina

Apart from this, the symptoms may turn severe under certain circumstances. The risk factors are:

1. If you are a diabetic, then you are at a high risk of contracting this infection

2. Pregnancy

3. If you are taking medications or have infections such as HIV then it may cause your immune system to malfunction. This increases your risk of vaginal yeast infections.

4. Multiple episodes of yeast infections (about 4 or more).

Causes behind it

The vaginal yeast infection is caused by a fungus known as candida. This fungus naturally exists in the vagina along with a bacterium called ‘lactobacillus’. This bacteria produces a substance that controls the over growth of the yeast. Yeast infection occurs when the balance is disturbed due to various factors such as:

1. If you are pregnant

2. Taking antibiotics may modify the pH balance of your vagina, leading to yeast infection

3. Any therapy or medication that increases estrogen levels in the body

4. If you have diabetes or an impaired immune system

Treatment

Medications such as ointments, tablets and creams are administered to get rid of the yeast infection. It is recommended to not use latex condoms as birth control measures; as the oily nature of the lotions and ointment can weaken the latex thus, increasing the risks of unplanned pregnancies.

There are certain preventive measures which you may adopt to prevent these infections, them being:

1. Do not wear tight fitting undergarments

2. The material of your clothes should preferably be cotton based

3. Do not use hot water for your bath

4. Don’t stay in your wet clothes for long hours