Most people
refer to vaginal infections (any infection around the vagina) as “Toilet
infections “even though such term does not exist in the medical world.
Probably, the term “Toilet infection” was invented by the non-medical folks
because they think the cause of the infection is solely toilet-related but the
fact is that toilet infection does not
actually exist as a disease in medicine.
However, I
will like to inform you that there are numerous types of vagina infections but
the most common ones you may likely experience are caused by three major types
of germs/agents which are transmitted “mostly” by carelessness, poor personal
hygiene rather than sex.
Major types
of vaginal infections include:
Bacterial Vaginosis: This is the most common of them all.
It is caused by a change in the type of bacteria that are naturally found in
the vagina which could be as a result of weak immune system (especially in immunocompromised
patient e.g. Diabetic or HIV patient), indiscriminate use of broad spectrum
antibiotics or steroids. Any of these
can make you get Bacterial vaginosis and you can see that it is not caused by
Toilet. Hence it is a vaginal infection
and not Toilet infection!
You can also
get bacterial vaginosis if you do practice Vagina Douching (a method used in
washing the vagina usually with mixture of water and antiseptics).
Although,
some do claim that Douching makes them feel cleaner but scientifically
speaking, it causes more harm to the vagina because it tampers with the acidic
pH of the vagina therefore making it susceptible to this infection (Bacterial
vaginosis).Therefore I will advise that you wash with just clean water, yes,
you heard me right (don’t be surprised), so as not to tamper with the natural
defensive mechanism that the creator has put in place dear.
Symptoms include:
·
Thin and grayish white
discharge
·
Foul-smelling vagina like
fish (especially after having sex)
·
Vaginal itching
·
Burning sensation like
grinded pepper during urination
Trichonomiasis
Trichonomiasis
is another common vagina infection which is often transmitted sexually and it
is caused by an organism (protozoan) known as Trichomonas vaginalis in women. Trichonomiasis also occurs in men
as well but it’s often asymptomatic.
Symptoms include:
·
Foul smelling vaginal
discharge which can be clear, white, yellowish, or greenish, genital itching
·
painful urination
·
penile discharge in male
·
burning sensation like
pepper during urination
Yeast infection
A (Vaginal)
yeast infection also known as Candidiasis is a fungal infection, mostly caused
by a specie (of Candida) known as Candida
albicans and causes irritation, discharge and intense itching of the vagina
and the tissues surrounding it.
Symptoms include:
·
Thick white discharge
·
Intense itching
·
Swelling and irritation of
the vagina.
Now, that
you know the common types of vaginal infections, lets now dig deeply into how
to prevent them generally
PREVENTION
OF VAGINAL INFECTION
Stop Vaginal douching: The use of medicated soaps, antiseptics, salts and the likes
can easily harm the good bacteria living freely in your vagina (Normal flora or Vaginal flora).Just use
clean water when bathing, that alone is Okay!
You should
be aware that the vagina normally secretes fluid that makes it moist and
continually cleans the vaginal environment. Won’t you respect the infinite
wisdom of the Creator and stop Douching.
Always Change your inner wears daily, even if you live in places
that are hot it would be recommended that you change your inner wears twice daily.
Always stand or just bend while urinating. Although, this may seems untenable
to you but believe me, this may prevent you from getting infection through
splashing of the urine because most women get infected by squatting to urinate
where an infected person might have previously used. You too would get infected
should your urine touches the ground and pick up the micro-organism and you
know what? Just a single drop will contain about millions of these organism.
Sincerely, I
know it may seem difficult, but when you are done, just ensure you wash your
legs. At least, you can’t compare the discomfort with the one of having
infection, so it’s worth it.
Stop using Perfume or any scented
products on the vagina. You may be surprised I said the but it’s true that some do apply
perfume on the vagina, the outcome maybe detrimental. So kindly stop it, if you
fall into this category.
Use cotton Inner-wears. Apart from washing the inner wears regularly
I mentioned above, you must ensure you the cotton made ones because cotton can
easily absorb the moisture that ooze out from your vagina which therefore
prevent irrigation of its environment.
Avoid masturbation. Always try not to harm yourself either
through abrasion or through the use of some objects (even finger) because a tear or injury alters the natural barrier of
the skin and hence infection results.
Cleaning the anus. The best way is to clean your anus
from front to back and not the other way round in other not to transfer
millions of harmful organisms to your precious, innocent ever sensitive vagina.
So, to avoid this simply wipe from front to back.
Treatment of Vaginal infections
I would have
loved to dig into how an infected person can easily be treated but I will
advise you go and see your doctor for expert management because the understand your health condition
better and also because of variation in working principle of some drugs
especially when you are using more than one ,interactions may occur.
When you
abide by the principles above, you will really prevent yourself from being
easily infected. But if you fail to follow them, then I can assure you that no
amount of drug can help you because after treatment you will still get infected
again because you are exposed to so many ways of getting infected.
Besides, there is high possibility that the organisms become resistant to the drugs.
Hope you
have learnt something (probably new to you) today? Won’t you like to share it
with your siblings? PLEASE DO!
In case you have question/complaints, kindly, drop them in the Comment box below.