Deadly Vaginal Infections - Is it Bacterial Vaginosis or Vaginitis That`s The Killer Infection
Posted: Friday, April 17, 2009
by Kacycarr
http://www.spotthepimple.com
How many women know they have a possible killer vaginal infection because they have the symptoms to prove it and are doing nothing about it, but want too? How many of you still have the infection because you`re embarrassed about having to talk about your vagina to your GP. This is not going to go away until you address the problem. If embarrassment is the major concern then treat your own vaginal yeast infection, if this is what you have. Women go to great lengths to avoid a consultation with their GP or gynecologist, and hold out as long as possible till the symptoms become unbearable. More women are successfully treating their own yeast infection without their GPs help. Nevertheless keep your doctor informed about treatments and medications you may tend on using.
Vaginal infections are when the vagina is infected with one or more bacteria, yeast or protozoal organism. Familiar infections below
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Thrush
- Trichomonas
- Vaginitis
You are seeing a difference in your vaginal discharge like color changes, heavy loss or the discharge emitting an unpleasant vaginal odor. Other discomforts from infection are itching, burning, swelling, or redness around the vagina/vulva. A normal vaginal discharge does not bring smell or trigger redness, swelling, or itching.
If you`re problem is in relation to a nasty fishy odor then it is most likely that the most common of all vaginal infections "bacterial vaginosis" is the actual infection you will be looking to treat. Once this infection has taken hold then we have a large number of organisms called Gardnerella vaginalis to deal with, as well as other organisms in the vagina. Odor tends to be smellier after sexual intercourse, and discharge may show watery, which may be white or slight discolored and usually plenty of it.
We also have Candida vaginitis (yeast infection.) In contrast to BV - discharge comes in large amounts and is thick and white, and in some cases no discharge at all. Aside from vaginal secretion change, Candida vaginitis also brings itching, swelling, irritation and vaginal redness.
Trichomonas vaginitis although following behind the above mentioned infections, is the third most frequent vaginal infection, making it just as common. It is much akin to bacterial vaginosis in relation to discharge. It too causes an increased amount of discharge, which may be discolored. Discharge smells different though because BV is more associated with the fishy smell. Itching can and does happen, however not a popular symptom like that of a yeast infection.
Women can be unique at times in the way they think in regards to vaginal infections where some of them don`t even stir. They believe overtime the infection will disappear, well they don`t, not without been given care first. Usually these infections are harmless but unless you hide those blushes and seek medical attention then they might not be so harmless after all.
There doesn`t have to be a true reason for an infection happening. But reasons can include stressful situations and sickness. Antibiotics are another reason. Normally, just background history and clinical presentation is enough reason for your doctor to make a definite diagnosis of an exact infection. Nevertheless causes are what give us guidance and clues for treatment to be a success. When you know what you're treating and to why you're treating it up the chances of a speedy healing.
Bacterial vaginosis is commonly treated with oral medication called metronidazole. The downside to taking metronidazole it can upset the stomach or trigger bouts of vomiting. Other medicines are clindamycin (Cleocin,) and vaginal creams and gels which are manually rubbed on the infected area. A yeast infection is treated with creams/suppositories that are inserted inside the vagina. Fortunately for the women with red cheeks other medication can be obtained without prescription, such as miconazole (Monistat) and clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin or Mycelex-G.) Like bacterial vaginosis metronidazole is used for healing and easing the symptoms of Trichomonas vaginitis.
Keep the vaginal area cool dry and airy by wearing loose clothing and cotton underwear. Ignore vaginal sprays, commercial douches and deodorants on the shop shelves as they can alter the natural acid/alkaline balance of the vagina, predisposing it to more infection. Douching is dangerous unless under supervision from your GP. Douching can force the infection up through the cervix resulting in a pelvic inflammatory disease. If the kidneys are subject to and seriously affected by PID then the outcome can be fatal.
Natural treatments for yeast infections include aiming at the ecosystem of the vaginal canal and boosting immune defenses.
Natural Methods for Preventing Vaginal Infections
- Cut out alcohol, white sugar and refined flour foods - candida fungus loves to feed on these.
- Keep intake of dairy products to a minimum. Some products namely milk can aggravate yeast infections, however yoghurt is good as a natural treatment for a yeast infection even though it is classed as a dairy product.
- Consider eating seafood and vegetable proteins before meat and poultry, and be careful of yeasted or fermented foods or those containing molds, such as aged cheeses, dried fruits, or mushrooms.
- Other female issues like vulval itching can stem from infection but if itching occurs without a sign of infection then the cause is normally linked to a sort of topical irritation or surface reaction to a chemical irritant.
- Don`t wash the vulva if possible with soap including hypoallergenic types. An effective anti-allergic soap is Aveeno, which is an oatmeal based cleansing agent.
Treatment includes strict vulval hygiene and specially formulated cream. Depending on the patient and severity of the condition - Clebetasol cream is commonly used. If you suffer ulcers in this condition then a biopsy will be suggested to check for cancer.. Vulva dystrophy without treatment increases the risk of cancer of the vulva. Just because you itch does not mean you have cancer so not to panic and have yourself checked out to put your mind at rest.
Did you know when you treat your own vaginal infection you rid vaginal odour at the same time.
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