What are
The vaginal creams are special pharmaceutical formulations, specially made to be administered at the level of the vaginal mucosa, in order to counteract disorders of different types.
However, in the case of vaginal disorders, before using any medication (even if over the counter) it would be good to ask for the preventive advice of your gynecologist or doctor.
Features
Characteristics of Vaginal Creams
Vaginal creams are pharmaceutical formulations for topical use.
Like all creams, vaginal creams are also composed of two phases: an aqueous phase and an oily phase. Therefore, creams are real emulsions that - depending on how they are prepared - can be distinguished in hydrophilic creams (oil in water emulsions) and in hydrophobic creams (water in oil emulsions).
Normally, vaginal creams are of the hydrophilic type, since they are more comfortable to apply and do not alter the vaginal bacterial flora, which, instead, could happen using oil-based creams.
Indications
What are Vaginal Creams used for?
The vaginal creams are used for the treatment of disorders - pathological and non-pathological - affecting the mucous membrane and the vaginal opening.
According to the active ingredients contained, therefore, vaginal creams can be used for the treatment of:
- Dryness and dehydration (caused by hormonal changes, stress, menopause, etc.);
- Itch;
- Atrophic and dystrophic states of the vaginal mucosa;
- Bacterial infections;
- Fungal infections.
The choice of the type of cream to be used should be made by the doctor after performing an appropriate examination and / or any laboratory analysis. This is because, sometimes, it may happen that apparently innocuous symptoms conceal, instead, basic pathologies not yet diagnosed.
For example, vaginal itching, in principle, is not a disorder that causes great concern, as it could derive from non-pathological causes, such as the use of inappropriate or too aggressive intimate cleansers. However, in some cases, itching may be a symptom of an ongoing infection, for which specific medication is required. Here, then, that the intervention of the doctor is fundamental: the use of a simple vaginal cream against itching, in fact, can certainly not solve the infection, but rather it can mask the symptoms, delaying further the diagnosis.
Composition
Active Principles contained in Vaginal Creams
As mentioned, vaginal creams can be formulated with different active ingredients depending on the disorder that needs to be treated.
Lubricants and moisturizers
The active lubricating and moisturizing ingredients are the main constituents of vaginal creams indicated in the treatment of dehydration and vaginal dryness. Among the lubricating and moisturizing substances that can be used in the formulation, we mention hyaluronic acid, vitamin A and some plant extracts, such as calendula, lavender, aloe, marshmallow and arnica . Furthermore, these particular active ingredients can also be used as adjuvants in the healing processes of friction micro-lesions of the vaginal mucosa.
Local anesthetics
Local anesthetics are used in vaginal creams indicated to counteract the itching that may occur following alteration of the vaginal bacterial flora, allergies to intimate cleansers or condom latex, taking oral contraceptives, ongoing infections, etc.
Usually, vaginal creams against itching should be applied at the vaginal orifice. The local anesthetic mostly used in this type of pharmaceutical preparations is undoubtedly lidocaine (Vagisil®).
Antibiotics and antifungals
The active ingredients with antibiotic and antifungal action are used in vaginal creams intended for the treatment of infections, respectively of bacterial and fungal type, which can cause symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation, smelly vaginal discharge etc.
Antibiotics and antifungals can be used both alone and in combination in the treatment of bacterial infections complicated by fungal or yeast infections, and vice versa.
Metronidazole (Meclon®) is one of the active antibiotic ingredients normally used in vaginal creams.
Among the antifungal active ingredients, instead, we mention clotrimazole (Gynocanesten®, Meclon®), econazole (Ecodergin®) and miconazole (Miconal®).
Estrogen
These active ingredients can be exploited to carry out a vaginal estrogen therapy and, for this reason, they are incorporated in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for administration in the vagina, such as tablets, ova, rings and vaginal creams.
In particular, estrogen-based vaginal creams are useful in case of dryness induced by menopause and in case of atrophic and dystrophic vulvar, cervical and vaginal states, induced by alterations of normal estrogen levels.
Among the most commonly used estrogens for topical application, we recall the promestriene (Colpotrophine®).
Naturally, in addition to the aforementioned active ingredients, in vaginal creams there are also various excipients whose task is to maintain the characteristics of the formulation and adequately convey the active substances incorporated therein.
Application
How are Vaginal Creams Applied?
The application of vaginal creams is not an excessively complicated procedure, since these medicines are equipped with special applicators and supplied with appropriate instructions for use.
In this regard, the application phases of vaginal creams can be summarized in a few simple points:
- Before proceeding with the application, wash your hands thoroughly.
- If the vaginal cream is contained in a multidose tube, it is necessary to screw the applicator (present in the package) to the tube.
- Exert a slight pressure on the tube to fill the applicator with the vaginal cream.
- Unscrew the applicator from the tube, and insert it gently and deeply into the vagina.
- Push the applicator plunger all the way in to release all the cream in it.
- If the applicator is disposable, it must be thrown away at the end of the application of the medicine. In the case in which, instead, the applicator is reusable, at the end of the administration of the drug it must be disassembled and thoroughly washed with lukewarm water in all its parts.
- The application of vaginal creams on the vaginal orifice, on the other hand, can be done with the fingers performing a light massage to favor the absorption of the product.
Some vaginal creams are packaged in ready-to-use single-dose containers with their own applicator. In these cases, therefore, after the administration of the medicine, the single-dose tube can be thrown as a whole.
Side effects
The side effects of vaginal creams vary depending on the active ingredients contained in them.
However, the side effects that most commonly can occur with the use of this type of medicine are those of a local nature, such as burning, redness and possible allergic reactions in sensitive patients.
However, the possible appearance of secondary effects caused by a possible systemic absorption of the active ingredients contained in the vaginal creams should not be excluded.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Can Vaginal Creams be used in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?
In general, as a precautionary measure, the use of vaginal creams during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended, even more so if they contain substances that can be absorbed systemically and / or substances that can harm the fetus or newborn.
However, in these circumstances, before taking any type of medication (vaginal or non-vaginal), it is always good to ask the advice of your gynecologist or your doctor.
Contraindications
Similarly to what has been said for the side effects of vaginal creams, contraindications may also vary depending on the active ingredient contained therein.
However, the common contraindication to any type of vaginal cream concerns the use in case of known hypersensitivity to any of its components.
