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Vaginitis. Symptoms and Treatment
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What is the definition of Vaginitis?
The vagina frequently becomes inflamed and infected as a result of various pathogens, allergic reactions, vaginal contraceptives or other products, or the friction of sexual intercourse. Lactobacillus is the predominant organism in the vagina and the normal vaginal pH is 4.5 or less. Profuse clear, elastic, mucoid secretions from the cervical os frequently occur around the time of the mid-cycle estrogen surge. Vaginal secretions are white, thicker, and sometimes stick to the vaginal walls in the luteal phase and during pregnancy. It is not uncommon for women to think these normal secretions are those caused by vaginitis.
Vaginitis can be defined as an inflammation of the vagina and vulva. This problem occurs frequently in women. When proper treatment is initiated in the early stages, Bacterial and Atrophic Vaginitis can be avoided. The sensations of burning, itching, irritation, and pain from Vaginitis are not suffered from by healthy normal females. Urinary frequency is noted along with an unpleasant odor.
Vaginitis Symptoms
When a patient presents with symptoms that include vaginal irritation, pain or unusual discharge, a careful history should be done that includes the onset of the LMP; recent sexual activity; use of contraceptives, tampons, or douches, and the presence of vaginal burning, pain, puritus, or unusually profuse or malodorous discharge. During the physical examination, the vulva should be inspected carefully and the vagina and cervix should be examined with a speculum. If applicable, a culture of the cervix is done for gonococcus or Chlamydia. A microscopic examination is performed on a specimen of vaginal discharge in a drop of 0.9% saline solution to look for trichomonads or clue cells, and in a drop of 10% potassium hydroxide to search for Candida. Testing should be done to determine the vaginal pH level, which is often greater than 4.5, with infections caused by trichomonads and bacterial vaginosis. What should follow to search for the evidence of infection of the pelvis is a bimanual examination.
Following are the symptoms of vaginitis:
– a dragging sensation in the groin
– increased frequency of urination
– vaginal discharge
– a sensation of heat and fullness in the vagina
Symptoms and their severity vary from person to person. This means that each treatment regimen for Vaginitis must be personalized to the symptoms.
Causes of Vaginitis
The most common causes of vaginitis include: wearing dirty clothes, contaminated water and bad hygiene, an irritation of the vagina by outer factors such as cuts and abrasions in this area, the wearing of tight-fitting clothes all of the time.
Trichomonas Vaginalis Vaginitis
The Skene’s ducts, vagina, and lower urinary tract in women, and men’s lower genitourinary tract are infected by this protozoal flagellate. Coitus transmits it. Symptoms include puritus and a malodorous frothy, greenish-yellow discharge and in severe cases, diffuse vaginal erythema and red macular lesions on the cervix occur as well.
Microscopic examination of a wet mount with saline solution reveals motile organisms with flagella.
Treatment of Vaginitis Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Vulvovaginal candidiasis can be treated in a number of prescription drugs. Normally women who have uncomplicated vulvovaginal cadidiasis will note improvement after treatment for one to three days with topical azole. Treatment for women who have at least four episodes in a 12-month period, severe signs and symptoms, non-albicans species, uncontrolled diabetes, HIV infection, corticosteroid treatment, or who are pregnant should consist of one to two weeks of a topical regimen or two doses of fluconazole administered three days apart.
One day uses
Clotrimazole (500-mg vaginal tablet) or tioconazole ointment (6.5%, 5 g). 150 mg of oral fluconazole also is effective.
Three-day
Butoconazole (2% cream, 5 g), clotrimazole (two 100-mg vaginal tablets), terconazole (0.8% cream, 5 g, or 80-mg suppository), or miconazole in a 200-mg vaginal suppository once a day.
One-week
Clotrimazole (1% cream or 100-mg vaginal tablet), miconazole (2% cream, 5 g, or 100-mg vaginal suppository), or terconazole (0.4% cream, 5 g) once a day.
Two-week
Nystatin (100,000-unit vaginal tablet once a day), boric acid capsules (600 mg gelatin capsule inserted vaginally, once a day.)
Maintenance therapy for recurrent vulvovaginitis
Ketoconazole (100 mg by mouth) once a day for up to 6 months, clotrimazole (500-mg vaginal suppository) once a week, fluconazole (100–150 mg by mouth) once per week, or itraconazole (400 mg orally) once a month or 100 mg orally once a day.
Information presented in this article should not be construed as being medical advice. Your personal physician is the one who needs to recommend a medical condition’s treatment.
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September 14, 2009 -
Woman's Health -
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