Vaginitis: symptoms and treatment

The female reproductive system is susceptible to adverse factors, including pathogenic microorganisms. Vaginitis (also known as vulvovaginitis) is a condition in which the vaginal mucosa becomes inflamed due to infection. This article examines the manifestations of vaginitis and effective treatment methods.

What types of vaginitis are there?

All gynaecological diseases of the uterus of inflammatory origin can be classified as acute or chronic. If the cause of vaginal inflammation is a conditionally pathogenic yeast-like fungus, it is referred to as candidal vaginitis. Other causes may include infection with trichomonads, chlamydia, ureaplasma, E. coli, herpes virus, and others. There is also atrophic vaginitis, which is most characteristic of women in menopause, where inflammation develops against the background of thinning of the vaginal mucosa due to decreased oestrogen levels in the blood.

How does the disease manifest itself?

Symptoms of vaginitis in the acute phase include vaginal discomfort, itching, burning, and the appearance of abundant discharge from the genital tract, which is an important criterion for diagnosing the condition. Often, against the background of inflammatory changes, the infection spreads to the urinary tract, leading to the development of cystitis.

In the candidal form, the most characteristic sign is the appearance of abundant curd-like discharge from the vagina, accompanied by severe itching and redness of the labia.

What to do?

The primary step when pathology arises is to visit a gynaecologist for diagnostic procedures. During the examination, the doctor takes smears of discharge from the urethra, vagina, and cervical canal to determine the flora; if necessary, material is collected for bacteriological testing. If the inflammation is chronic, it is advisable to undergo testing for hidden urogenital infections, including mycoplasma, chlamydia, ureaplasma, and others.

Treatment of non-specific vaginitis involves prescribing anti-inflammatory antiseptic suppositories intravaginally for a course of at least seven days, after which probiotics are indicated to restore microflora. In cases of chronic vaginitis, immunomodulatory therapy is prescribed, details of which can be found on galavit.ru, to prevent relapse and increase the body's resistance to infection.