Vaginitis
Vaginitis
Secrets to Permanent Relief
Chances are, you've probably experienced an episode of vaginitis in some form at one time or another. Maybe it was bacterial vaginosis, the most common type, occurring when microorganisms that normally live there get out of their usual harmonious balance, allowing an overgrowth of certain types. Maybe it was a yeast infection. Or perhaps it was trichomonas vaginalis, caused by the sexually transmitted trichomonad parasite.
When To See A Doctor Vaginitis refers to a number of different problems, all of which are easy to cure. But women doctors say that the correct treatment depends on getting the right diagnosis. Untreated vaginitis can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, which can result in infertility. See your doctor if you notice any of the following: * Pain or itching in your vagina and in the area of your vulva, the lips outside your vagina * Reddening of your vulva * Pain that is especially noticeable when you urinate or during sex, or pain that worsens upon urination or during sexual intercourse * Greenish-yellow, frothy and foul-smelling discharge (which suggests trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted organism) * Foul-smelling, thin, white or blood-streaked discharge (which may signal atrophic vaginitis) * Heavy, white, thick and odorless vaginal discharge (which could mean a yeast infection) * White or gray and fishy smelling vaginal discharge (which suggests bacterial vaginosis) You should also be screened for bacterial vaginosis if you're pregnant, as it is a common, but preventable, cause of prematurely delivering an undersized baby.
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A FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
If you've been newly diagnosed with vaginitis, and your doctor has ruled out a yeast infection, she has probably ordered a course of antibiotics. Here's what else women doctors say that you can do to make yourself more comfortable during your recovery and protect yourself against recurrences. (For information on treating yeast infection, see page 580.)
Take all of your medicine. "By taking antibiotics, you can suppress the infection very quickly after two or three days," says Vesna Skul, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Rush Medical College of Rush University and medical director of Rush Center for Women's Medicine, both in Chicago. "At that point, your tendency may be to back off and stop your medication. But if you do, the infection is more likely to return." So don't skip the last few pills if symptoms subside or save them just in case you get a repeat attack. Take all the pills. And read the labels for precautions that may apply to you.
Moisturize. The dry, easily irritated genital tissues that characterize atrophic vaginitis--a common occurrence after menopause--can easily be moisturized with a product like Replens, says Marilynne McKay, M.D., professor of dermatology and obstetrics/gynecology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. Apply once or twice a day.
Apply cold. "If you're really miserable with swelling and itching, cool compresses are often very helpful," says Dr. McKay. Lay a cold washcloth across the affected area. "Coolness causes blood vessels to constrict, which makes you less red and swollen."
Try tea. "A plain tea bag soaked in water, cooled in the refrigerator, and applied externally can relieve itching," says Kathleen McIntyre-Seltman, M.D., professor of medicine in the Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "The tannin in tea can be very soothing."
Take a warm bath. A shallow sitz bath or an ordinary bath can be very soothing to irritated genital tissues, says Dr. McKay. And skip the soap. "Soap leaches out the skin's natural oils--the body's natural lipid barrier against germs," she says. (So does bubble bath.) This makes you more susceptible to infection, including vaginal infections.
Scrub your tub. Bathtubs are regular germ storage sites. Be sure to clean and disinfect yours regularly to keep bacteria and mold under control, says Dr. Skul.
Practice good toilet hygiene. Wipe from front to back after a visit to the toilet to avoid transferring germs from your rectal area forward to your genital area, advises Dr. McKay. Finish up with a final clean wipe to make sure that you've done a thorough job.
Rinse underwear and panty hose well. Wearing underclothes or panty hose with detergent residue can irritate tissues already stinging from vaginitis, says Dr. McKay.
Eat yogurt. Studies have shown, says Dr. Skul, that an eight-ounce serving of yogurt containing live cultures once a day helps women with recurrent bacterial vaginosis get better with fewer courses of antibiotics. The acidophilus bacteria that it contains help create a more normal bacterial environment.