WHAT IS.
Vaginitis is a common inflammatory condition in the vagina and the general lower genital area of the woman due to an imbalance of the vaginal flora that favours infections, irritants or hormonal imbalance.
INDICATIONS – MEANING
Vaginitis is often asymptomatic. But in the case that they do show symptoms, these may be :
- Unexpected secretions with a peculiar – unpleasant odour
- Burning sensation during urination
- Itching or redness in the external urogenital area
- Discomfort or pain during or after sexual intercourse
Factors that favour vaginitis are :
- Use of antibiotics, contraceptives
- Pregnancy
- Frequent vaginal douching (especially with pH-disturbing soaps)
- Systemic diseases (diabetes, dermatitis, autoimmune diseases)
- Poor hygiene
- Smoking
- Psychological or physical stress
90 % of cases are caused by :
Common bacterial infections:
Common bacterialinfections: gardnerella vaginalis and Mycoplasma hominis. Βan actinic infection which can be caused by a combination of bacteria. Their over-growth is caused by an imbalance in the flora of the vagina. It is not sexually transmitted, but it usually occurs in sexually active women. In 50% of cases they are asymptomatic, while in the remaining cases the symptoms include abnormal discharge, fishy smell, especially after sexual intercourse, pain during urination, tingling and dry vagina.
Candida fungal infections:
Candida fungal infections: Candida lives naturally in small colonies in the vagina and in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract of men and women. Pathological fungal infections cause stinging and redness and are usually not sexually transmitted. They are common after taking antibiotics, in cases of unregulated diabetes, pregnancy and taking contraceptives. They can also occur in hormonal disorders, thyroid disease, corticosteroid use and immune disorders. They are treated with the appropriate treatment indicated by the antifungal chart and may be with intravaginal suppositories or oral treatment.
Trichomonas vaginalis (Trichomonas vaginalis):
Trichomonas vaginalis: It is a sexually transmitted parasite. The infection may be asymptomatic but it can also cause foamy, greenish-yellow secretions with a bad smell, stinging, burning sensation when urinating, a bad feeling in the lower abdomen, and pain in the vagina during sexual intercourse. The symptoms become more severe after menstruation.
Less commonly, vaginitis can be caused by :
- Allergic reaction or irritation to chemicals in creams, sprays and from contact with certain clothing
- Atrophic vaginitis in menopause due to a decrease in estrogen and normal vaginal secretions
- Hormonal disorders
Rarely vaginitis can develop from sexually transmitted:
- Chlamydia are sexually transmitted parasites that are most often asymptomatic.
- Genital herpes (HSV II) is sexually transmitted and presents with pain symptoms.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) is sexually transmitted and is the agent responsible for creating warts.
- Gonorrhea
- HIV infection
LABORATORY TESTING
The tests that are done proactively to detect vaginal infections are :
Check for common infections (90% of vaginitis cases):
Immediate microscopic examination of vaginal fluids to assess the flora and physiology of the vagina
- Culture for aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms and antibiogram.
Level in sexually transmitted microbial infections:
- Culture for chlamydia Immediate detection of the parasite in vaginal fluids
- HSV II IgG/IgM Indirect detection of antibodies against genital herpes in blood
- HPV by DNA analysis Direct detection of subtype group – virus typing in vaginal fluids
- Gonorrea
- HIV Ag-Abs
Selected information from sources:
- MayoClinic.org
- Labtestsonline.org
- Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests – J.Wallach
The personalization of the check-up takes into account multiple parameters of personal and family history.
Depending on the case, the selection of tests may require some that are not mentioned on this page.
The exact selection is the responsibility of your attending physician.
Edited by: Ioannis Gratsias, Lab Director / Clinical Biochemist
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Informative Blogs: checkup.com.gr – nosileftis24.gr– syntagografisis.gr – testcovid.gr
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Vaginitis is a common form of female infection caused by a variety of microorganisms, most notably tuberculosis and the untreated subtypical bacterium. Although vaginitis is common, it can cause serious inhibition in daily life and force women to seek medical treatment to relieve their symptoms and treat the problem.
Vaginitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including changes in vaginal pH, hormonal changes, frequent use of antibiotics, use of hormonal endosymbionts or glucose superimposition. Symptoms may include itching, burning, unpleasant odor, pain during sexual activity, and discharge. In some cases, vaginitis can lead to complications such as allergies or other skin conditions, or even severe infections.
Treatment of vaginitis usually involves the use of antibiotic medications, hormonal therapies or other drugs to treat the symptoms. In addition, women can be advised to avoid irritants and improve their hygiene to reduce the risk of recurrence of vaginal discharge.
Also, education and information about vaginitis is important for prevention. Women need to be aware of the symptoms, risk factors and prevention methods so that they can deal with the problem in an effective way and protect their health.
