Vaginal infections

Premise

Similar to glans infections, vaginal infections - bacterial, fungal or viral - involve the female genitals, causing more or less significant damage. In most cases, pathogens do not exclusively infect the vagina: in fact, the infection often tends to spread to adjacent areas, especially in the case of diagnostic delay and lack of specific care.

Contagion and prevention

Being an infection, the chances of infection are very high in the case of unprotected sexual contact: most of the infectious processes on the genitals spread from subject to subject through simple sexual intercourse. The best prevention is the respect of the behavioral and hygienic rules, including those in the sexual field: for this purpose, the scrupulous personal and intimate hygiene is recommended, together with the use of barrier contraceptive methods (eg condom), especially with little-known partners or at risk of infection.

In the case of ascertained vaginal infection, as a preventive measure, it is recommended to also submit the partner (for those who follow a sexually active life) to specific therapy, in order to avoid, as much as possible, the rebound effect, even in the absence of symptoms.

Recurrent vaginal infections

The most common vaginal infections are: candidiasis, chlamydia, genital herpes and gonorrhea.

Vaginitis and vaginosis are two general terms that include infections and inflammations of the vagina, supported by several pathogens, such as Candida albicans, Gardnerella vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis and Trichomonas vaginalis . But let's see in more detail the characteristic signs and symptoms of vaginal infections sustained by these microorganisms.

Candida albicans

Candida albicans is a mycete that, in some women, lives in symbiosis with the intestinal bacterial flora, without causing any harm; under favorable conditions, Candida proliferates indiscriminately, causing more or less important damage (transformation from a commensal microorganism to an opportunist).

Vaginal infections caused by this fungus are therefore typical: transmission, in addition to sexual contact, can take place through the promiscuous use of infected linen, or via maternal fetal care. Some diseases, such as hypothyroidism, hyposurenalism, severe neutropenia, leukemia and tumors, can expose the woman to a greater risk of contracting vaginal infections of any kind, including Candida.

SYMPTOMS: in women, vaginal Candida infection generates limited burning, dyspareunia, pain during urination, localized erythema, hypersensitivity, whitish vaginal discharge similar to ricotta, intense and unstoppable itching.

THERAPIES: therapy for the treatment of vaginal candida infections is based on the oral administration of antifungals, associated with a specific local treatment (application of creams, ointments, specific eggs) and an integration of lactic ferments for the restoration of bacterial flora intestinal. Although, at first glance, therapy for the treatment of candida infections may seem rather simple, in reality it is not always the case: in fact, Candida tends to recur, manifesting its symptoms fiercely. For this reason, prevention, especially after having contracted the infection for the first time, is essential to minimize the risk of relapse. For further information: read the article on drugs for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis and that on drugs for the treatment of vaginal mycoses.

Gardnerella vaginalis

Gardnerella vaginalis, just like candida, is a symbiont of the human intestinal bacterial flora which, under favorable conditions, creates damage replicating itself indiscriminately.

The aforementioned bacterium is one of the etiological agents involved in bacterial infections such as vaginitis and vaginosis, whose colonization is favored by some elements, such as the abuse of antibiotics, the administration of uterine contraceptives, frequent internal vaginal washes, poor intimate hygiene and complete sexual intercourse (slightly alkaline sperm alters vaginal pH, which should be mildly acidic). Gardnerella infections appear to be twice as frequent as those sustained by Candida albicans.

SYMPTOMS: it is estimated that half of vaginal infections sustained by Gardnerella vaginalis run completely asymptomatic; so much so that many affected women do not realize the infection. In the other half of the patients, the infection manifests itself with a marked alteration of vaginal pH, burning and vulvar irritation, whitish and abnormal vaginal discharge, often smelly.

THERAPY: as it is a bacterium, vaginal infections triggered by Gardnerella must be treated with an antibiotic cycle, during which compliance with doses and duration of treatment is essential to avoid complications, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis and sterility (in cases more serious). For further information: read the article on medicines for the care of Gardnerella.

Mycoplasma hominis

Another common infection of gynecological interest in women of fertile age is that caused by Mycoplasma hominis : mycoplasmas do not always present a pathogenic action, since some species populate the female genital mucous membranes.

However, when the balance of the intestinal bacterial flora is altered, the Mycoplasma hominis can transform itself from diner to opportunist and create damage in a more or less ferocious way. In some cases, the vaginal infection triggered by this microorganism can degenerate to pelvic inflammatory disease. The bacterium is transmitted mainly by sexual contact; the affected mother can also transmit the infection to the child at the time of birth. It is noted that the risk of contracting this vaginal infection increases in case of unprotected sexual intercourse with men suffering from non-gonococcal urethritis.

SYMPTOMS: vaginal infections sustained by Mycoplasma hominis cause intimate itching, burning and abnormal vaginal secretions. Given the symptoms that are common to most genital infections, a differential diagnosis is important to distinguish infection with Mycoplasma hominis from gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, etc.

THERAPY: the bacterium is eradicated with a specific antibiotic therapy, in particular with azithromycin and doxycycline, powerful drugs capable of interfering with the bacterium's protein synthesis.

Trichomonas vaginalis

Another sexually transmitted vaginal infection is trichomoniasis: as the term predicts, the disease is caused by a flagellate protozoan known as Trichomonas vaginalis, implicated in the most widespread venereal diseases in the world.

The transmission of the infection is also possible, simply, using infected towels and linens or via fetal maternal route.

The parasite, taking root in the mucous membranes of the vaginal walls, alters the local bacterial flora, competing with the normally present lactobacilli, whose function is to defend the vagina from pathogenic insults.

SYMPTOMS: vaginal infection triggered by Trichomonas vaginalis does not always manifest itself with imported symptoms. When the attack is particularly fierce, the vaginal pH increases to a slightly alkaline value (when, on the other hand, it should be slightly acidic), and causes symptoms such as burning and vulvar itching, cervicitis, dyspareunia, pain during urination and abnormal vaginal discharge (yellowish or greenish, smelly, foamy).

THERAPY: Imadazoles, such as metronidazole and tinidazole, are the most commonly used drugs for trichomoniasis treatment. Even the sexual partner should undergo the same treatment, even in the absence of symptoms (as is often the case). Furthermore, complete sexual abstention is recommended until the symptoms are completely removed. For further information: read the article on drugs for trichomoniasis treatment.

Herpes simplex

Viruses can also cause vaginal infections: this is the case of Herpes simplex (HVS-1 and HVS-2), the same pathogen responsible for the common Herpes labialis.

Genital herpes simplex - or more simply genital herpes - is responsible for papular lesions on sensitive, annoying, painful or purulent areas. The pathogen transmits the infection by simple unprotected sexual contact with infected subjects; the risk of contracting the infection increases in case of loss of immune defenses, stress, alterations of hormonal balance and compromise of the immune system.

SYMPTOMS: the symptomatology that accompanies vaginal herpes simplex infection is often associated with the formation of whitish blisters directly on the genitals, both on the skin and on the mucous membranes. The infection can extend beyond the vagina and also affect the cervix and urethra.

DRUGS: although there is no definitive cure aimed at permanently eradicating the Herpes simplex virus, there are many pharmacological substances on the market that can reduce the risk of relapses and minimize symptoms. The most suitable drugs for this purpose are antivirals, to be taken systemically or applied directly in situ; the sexual partner should also follow a similar therapeutic strategy, to avoid spreading the virus again. Immediate intervention is essential to shorten healing and recovery time from vaginal infection.