Vaginitis is the term for any infection or inflammation of the vagina.
These inflammations or infections may cause:
- itching
- irritation
- smelly abnormal vaginal discharge
There are different types of vaginitis, each having its own causes and symptoms:
- Yeast (Candida) infection is the most familiar form of vaginitis, occurring when too much of the fungus Candida grows in your vagina.
- Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age, caused by an overgrowth of bacteria present in the vagina.
- Chlamydia is a curable infection, which many women have and don’t even know it.
- Herpes simplex virus (genital herpes) is caused by a virus, which can be controlled with certain treatments, but not cured.
- Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that is caused by a parasite and is usually curable.
- A virus causes human papillomavirus (HPV), and it can be controlled but not cured.
- Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted bacterial disease cure treatment with antibiotics.
Self-help
Non-infectious vaginitis is usually caused by an allergic reaction or irritation that causes burning, itching or vaginal discharge even if there is no infection. For those who wish to treat your vaginitis naturally, you will need to figure out which type you have. Vaginitis treatment is type-specific. One treatment does not fit all. Non-infectious vaginitis can be treated by stopping the use of the product that caused the allergic reaction or irritation, such as:
- soaps
- douches
- detergents
- vaginal sprays
- fabric softeners
- spermicidal products
Your doctor may provide medicated cream for severe reactions to help reduce the symptoms until the reaction subsides.
There are some things you can do to lower your chances of getting vaginitis.
- If you get yeast infections often, you may want to avoid clothes that hold in heat and moisture, such as tight jeans or nylon panties.
- Change out of wet swimsuits as soon as possible after swimming.
- Also, avoid using douches and vaginal sprays because they can kill “good” bacteria or cause irritation.
- Don’t use liquid soaps to wash your genital area. Don’t use a bubble bath for bathing in. Rather only use fragrance-free or glycerin soaps.
- Remember that some women have no symptoms, so get your regular gynaecological (pap smear) exams done.
- And above all, practice safe sex to help protect against sexually transmitted forms of vaginitis.
Home remedy to prevent vaginitis:
Garlic is antibacterial and has mild antiseptic qualities that come of use for treating vaginitis. Garlic helps kill intestinal parasites and remove mucous from the stomach, thereby providing a cleansing action to the stomach and preventing bacterial and fungal action in the vagina. Consume 4-5 cloves of raw garlic every day to keep the stomach and intestine clean and prevent bacteria from thriving inside your body, causing vaginitis.
QUIZ
Learn more about STDs: STD Quiz.
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