VAGINAL INFECTIONS AND THEIR REMEDY

Vaginal discharge, a common affliction of the feminine gender may be caused by bacterial or fungal infection, vitamin B deficiency, and irritation from excessive douching. Vaginitis is the inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the vagina and it is characterized by a burning and itching sensation. Infectious vaginitis has also been associated to Trichomonas vaginalis and Candida albicans, causative organisms of Trichomoniasis and Candidiasis. Factors such as poor hygiene, the use of tight, nylon and non-porous clothing, pregnancy, and the use of antibiotics which disturb the body’s natural balance, oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices can produce vaginitis. Atrophic vaginitis is found in postmenopausal women and women whose ovaries have been surgically removed.

Candidiasis or moniliasis is a fungal vaginal infection caused by a yeast, Candida albicans. Symptoms include; production of creamy discharge and intense itching. It can be detected through the use of high vaginal swab (HVS) analysis in the medical laboratory.

Trichomoniasis is a vaginal infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include intense itching and inflammation, eroding of the vaginal walls. It can be detected through the use of high vaginal swab (HVS) analysis in the medical laboratory.

Treatment of candidiasis include the following; eat plain yoghurt that contains live yoghurt cultures as they can fight infection and prevent inflammation, wear clean and dry cotton pants, avoid corticosteroid or oral contraceptives since they affect the balance of micro-organisms, do not use sweet smelling douches, the use of anti-fungal drugs such as nystatin, griseofulvin, gynotryvogen, itraconazole and fluconazole are very useful. The use of intravaginal pessary 500mg once at night or 200mg at night for three days. Clotrimazole 100mg should be given daily for 12 days. Trichomoniasis can also be treated with asingle dose of metronidazole 400mg every 12 hours for seven days. Other therapies include the use of betadine pessaries, acetarsol pessaries, and metronidazole suppositories respectively.

Candidiasis and trichomoniasis can be effectively treated and averted if genital hygiene and other guidelines are strictly adhered to. The dignity of womanhood is the ability to practice and maintain healthy sexual hygiene.