Vaginitis

Vaginitis is an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of the vagina, vulva and external genitalia. Vaginitis includes a whole group of pathologies provoked by the ingestion and active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms that provoke tissue inflammation.

The content of the article:
Causes and risk factors for vaginitis
Classification of vaginitis
Symptoms of vaginitis
Diagnosis of the disease
Treatment of vaginitis
Vaginitis
Vaginitis of various etiologies initially affects only the mucous membranes of the vagina, but in the process of development the disease progresses, spreading and affecting neighboring organs. Therefore, vaginitis provokes concomitant diseases — vulvitis, vulvovaginitis. With untimely or insufficient treatment of vaginitis, the inflammatory process can turn into a chronic form and /or spread upward to other organs of the female reproductive system, provoking a number of dangerous pathologies up to infertility.

Causes and risk factors for vaginitis
The main reason for the development of the inflammatory process in the vagina is the ingestion of pathogenic microorganisms from the outside or by hematogenic route with blood flow. In sexually mature women, infections that provoke vaginitis, as a rule, enter the vaginal environment through unprotected sexual contact or due to non-compliance with basic hygiene rules.

Influenza viruses and some types of streptococci can be transmitted hematogenically, which, when they get into a favorable environment of the vaginal mucosa, provoke an inflammatory process. Such causes most often cause vaginitis in children and adolescents.

Another common risk factor will be a decrease in the protective functions of the body. In the natural environment of the mucous membrane, conditionally pathogenic microorganisms in a latent state can be contained in a minimal amount, the activity of which is balanced and leveled by beneficial microflora. With a decrease in the work of the immune system, the number and level of beneficial microorganisms decreases, which leads to an increase in the activity and reproduction of pathogenic microflora.

The causes that provoke various inflammatory processes also include disorders in the endocrine system. The causes of hormonal failure in this case may be different — pathology and dysfunction of the ovaries, prolonged use of hormonal oral contraceptives, diabetes mellitus, metabolic disorders, obesity, menopause or puberty.

Risk factors that contribute to the development of vaginitis include the following conditions of the body:

venereal infections (chlamydia, mycoplasmosis, candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, etc.);
decreased immunity after acute respiratory viral infections and other viral diseases;
pathologies of the vascular system with malnutrition and oxygen starvation of the vaginal mucosa;
congenital or acquired anatomical disorders of the vagina that contribute to the ingress of microorganisms (gaping of the genital slit, lowering of the walls);
mechanical damage to the vaginal walls (instrumental abortion, therapeutic or hygienic manipulations);
suppression of beneficial microflora due to various factors — stress, fatigue, poor ecology;
prolonged or irrational use of medications (for example, antibiotics or hormonal agents);
local allergic reactions (for example, to candles or ointment);
promiscuous sex life, unprotected contacts;
vitamin deficiency (hypovitaminosis).
The causative agent of vaginitis can be many pathogens — streptococci, staphylococci, gonococci, fungi, E. coli, proteus, chlamydia, trichomonas. Often, infections of the genital tract are combined in various forms. Vaginitis can be triggered by the coincidence of several risk factors at once — for example, the presence of infection in combination with disorders in the immune or endocrine system.

Classification of vaginitis
In clinical practice , vaginitis is divided into groups according to various signs:

according to the degree and mechanism of development of the inflammatory process — acute, subacute, chronic vaginitis;
by age factor — vaginitis of women of childbearing or postmenstrual age, children and youth;
by the factor of origin — postpartum, postoperative, postabortem, allergic;
according to the composition of secretions — serous, purulent, gangrenous vaginitis;
according to the type of causative agent of the disease — specific and nonspecific.
Vaginitis in acute form is manifested by pronounced symptoms, the combination and nature of which depend on the type and origin of the disease. But whatever the clinical picture, the acute form always gives a clear picture of the pathology. The chronic form proceeds with less obvious and mild symptoms. If acute vaginitis often causes a fairly intense pain syndrome, then with a chronic course such symptoms are practically absent.

Specific and nonspecific vaginitis differ only in the nature of the pathogen. In the first case, the disease is caused by pathogens of external ingress — the mechanism of the inflammatory process is provoked by infection. For example, during unprotected sexual intercourse. Specific vaginitis includes pathologies caused by such microorganisms:

gonococci;
pale treponema;
chlamydia;
mycoplasma;
candida;
ureaplasma;
mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Often there are clinical cases when the disease is caused by a mixed infection that combines several types of pathogens. In this situation, the disease still belongs to the group of specific vaginitis.

Nonspecific vaginitis develops against the background of a decrease in the protective mechanisms of the body, when its own conditionally pathogenic microflora of the vagina is activated. If certain conditions coincide with the suppression of beneficial microflora, this serves as an impetus for the active reproduction of pathogens that are already contained in the vaginal mucosa. Reproduction and spread of infection leads to the beginning and gradual development of the inflammatory process.

Nonspecific vaginitis can be caused by such microorganisms:

bacteria — streptococci, staphylococci, proteus, E. coli or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, gardnerella;
yeast—like and protozoan fungi – mainly candida;
viruses — herpes, papillomavirus.
As in the case of specific vaginitis, mixed types of pathogens are found in non-specific pathologies. The division into a specific and non-specific type of disease is due not only to the determination of the causative agent, but also to the treatment of the disease. The most difficult to treat and even diagnose are vaginitis, provoked by a mixture of specific and non-specific types of pathogens. This happens when the inflammatory process begins due to the ingestion of an external pathogen on the mucous membrane of the vagina, and in the process of pathology, the activity of its own conditionally pathogenic microflora joins it. This type of disease presents certain difficulties in diagnosis and requires a special approach in treatment, taking into account all types of microorganisms.

Symptoms of vaginitis
Vaginitis of any type is characterized by the following symptoms:

Pathological changes in vaginal discharge. Changes may concern the color, smell, consistency of typical secretions. Their number may increase, the discharge becomes very abundant.
Painful manifestations on the external genitals — itching, burning, pain, swelling, irritation of the mucous membrane.
Pain during or after intimacy and urination.
Mild bleeding during any kind of touching and contact with the irritated area caused by hypersensitivity of tissues. It appears as small red dots on underwear.
However, the symptoms may vary depending on the type of disease. So gonorrheal vaginitis is manifested by thick secretions of a yellowish or greenish hue, resembling pus in appearance. Vaginitis caused by trichomonas is manifested by vaginal discharge of a foamy consistency of greenish-yellow color. The inflammatory process provoked by streptococcal infection is characterized by white-yellow secretions in large quantities.

The candidiasis type is traditionally diagnosed by the characteristic secretions of a milky-white color of a loose curd appearance. The inflammation caused by gardnerella is manifested by almost transparent vaginal discharge with a disgusting smell of rotten fish.

In most cases, specific pathologies in acute form, regardless of the type of pathogen, show pronounced symptoms — very abundant vaginal discharge, urination disorders, swelling and severe soreness of the mucous membranes of the external genitalia, pain inside the vagina. With weakened immunity, the patient may have a fever.

The chronic type can proceed for a long period of time without showing any signs at all. At the same time, the inflammatory process develops and spreads. Exacerbation of chronic vaginitis can be triggered by the following factors:

a cold or viral infection that negatively affects the immune system;
alcohol intake, provoking oxygen starvation and tissue dehydration;
hormonal changes (for example, during menstruation, pregnancy or the beginning of menopause);
changing the method of contraception to taking hormonal drugs;
sudden climate change, unusual temperature effects for the body (overheating, hypothermia).
Nonspecific vaginitis is characterized by an increase in the volume of secretions. As a rule, these are abundant whites with an unpleasant odor. Concomitant symptoms depend on the form of the course — with an acute course, irritation and itching of the mucous membranes are added, pain when touching and urinating.

Diagnosis of the disease
Treatment of vaginitis cannot begin without an accurate determination of the type of pathology and the type of pathogen. Diagnosis of nonspecific vaginitis is not difficult, it is enough to conduct a standard examination of a smear from the vagina. The study of the qualitative and quantitative composition of the microflora gives a complete picture of the disease and allows you to prescribe effective treatment.

The specific type is more difficult to diagnose. To identify the causative agent of the inflammatory process, it is necessary to conduct a special PCR analysis, which allows you to accurately determine the mechanism of development of the disease. Additionally, studies of the immune system and a blood test for hormones may be required. In the course of treatment, it may be necessary to correct the hormonal background and restore the normal functioning of the immune system.

Treatment of vaginitis
The therapy of the disease directly depends on the type, the main pathogen, the stage of development and the form of pathology. In most cases, treatment consists of a whole range of measures, which are conditionally divided into local and general methods of therapy. Methods of local treatment include douching, therapeutic tampons, vaginal candles, tablets, ointments and gels with antibacterial drugs of the appropriate purpose according to the results of diagnosis. If the inflammation is caused by fungi, drugs with an antimycotic effect are used.

General treatment of inflammation of the vaginal mucosa is prescribed when symptoms of acute form or severe exacerbation of the chronic process occur. The scheme of restorative and restorative treatment of vaginitis is built after receiving the results of studies of the endocrine and immune system. In most cases, the patient is prescribed vitamin therapy, drugs to correct hormonal balance, increase general and local immunity.

After the elimination of the inflammatory process, the task of further treatment is to restore the normal composition of the vaginal microflora. For this purpose, various types of probiotics are used, the choice of specific drugs depends on the pattern of disorders obtained as a result of the study.

Vaginitis of pregnant women requires a special approach. When choosing drugs and therapies, such important factors as the duration of pregnancy, the general health of the expectant mother are taken into account. The duration of therapy is on average 10-12 days, after which repeated tests are carried out to assess the effectiveness of treatment.

Treatment of inflammation of the vagina and external genitalia, regardless of the type and type of pathogen, should be comprehensive. It is impossible to completely cure vaginitis with single drugs, they give only a temporary effect and relieve acute signs of the disease. This is why independent treatment is dangerous, which often leads to the development of a chronic inflammatory process and the spread of pathology to nearby organs. When applying to a specialized clinic, the patient is guaranteed the development of a comprehensive two-stage treatment, preventive measures and the appointment of restorative therapy.

If there are signs of vaginitis, you should not self-medicate. To develop an effective therapy, a gynecologist’s consultation and examination are necessary. Make an appointment with a qualified specialist who will help get rid of the disease and the causes that provoked it. For more information, please call the phone number listed on the website.

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