What is Vaginal Infection?

Vaginal infection is described as several distinct types of bacteria, fungi, or other microbes causing inflammation, fungal growth, and irritation in your vagina. Vaginal infections are pretty common and can be due to several factors. Although these infections can occur at any age, they are most common during the reproductive age. It is believed that sexual activity is the causative factor for vaginal infection. However, you can get it even if you don’t engage in any sexual activity.

Causes of Vaginal Infection

Simply put, anything that disrupts the normal balance of microbes in your vagina can cause vaginal infection. The most common causes of vaginal infections are listed below:

• Bacterial infections: Bacterial vaginal infection can be due to the overgrowth of bacteria that are already present in the vagina. Bacterial infection is not a sexually transmitted disease. Still, sexual contact, such as hand-to-genital, oral, and penetrative vaginal sex, can raise the risk of bacterial infection.

• Yeast infections: Candida albicans is a type of fungus that frequently causes yeast infections. Antibiotics, hormonal fluctuations, a weak immune system, and stress can all lower the antifungal bacteria count in your vagina, thus favoring yeast overgrowth. This overgrowth is responsible for the signs and symptoms of a yeast infection.

• Trichomoniasis: The culprit for this infection is the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. Most women who indulge in sex without a condom during vaginal, oral, or anal contact get trichomoniasis. According to studies, you can catch it by sharing bathwater. Using shared towels or wet clothing, pools, and damp toilet seats are other potential modes of transmission.

• Vaginal atrophy: It’s a post-menopausal condition; however, it can also occur when you’re nursing or in conditions where your estrogen levels fall. Vaginal thinning and dryness due to low hormones in vaginal atrophy might result in vaginal inflammation.

• Douching: Douching is the habit of flushing your vagina with water plus vinegar, baking soda, iodine, or antiseptic chemicals to keep it clean. However, the fact is that your vagina can maintain its cleanliness on its own. Thus douching kills off beneficial bacteria in your vagina, increasing the likelihood of infections.

Symptoms of Vaginal Infection

You may not experience symptoms in most vaginal infections. However, if you happen to experience the following symptoms, it can be an indication of a vaginal infection:

• Vaginal discharge: The discharge from a woman’s vagina is typically clear or slightly murky because that’s how your vagina cleans itself naturally. Normal vaginal discharges do not have any odor nor cause itching. The quantity, exact nature, and how you feel with vaginal fluid vary slightly throughout your menstrual cycle. For example, you might experience a very thin or watery discharge at one point and a thicker discharge at another point of your menstrual cycle; both are normal. If you have vaginal infection however, the discharge can be different than your typical discharge. It can be thicker or have an odor.

• Vaginal itching: Vaginal itching is another common symptom of vaginal infection. The frequency of vaginal itching may vary before or after menstruation, depending upon the type of infection.

• Vaginal soreness and discomfort: Women experience vaginal soreness along with burning in vaginal infections. Soreness is felt like a discomforting pain, especially after penetrative sex.

• Painful urination: A vaginal yeast infection can occasionally cause painful urination. You might experience discomfort as urine flows across inflamed tissue. Additionally, you may experience pain when urine flows through an irritated urethra.

• Pain during penetrative vaginal sex: A yeast infection can make having sex painful and uncomfortable. Your swollen vulva or labia makes skin-to-skin contact painful. Even the skin can get raw from friction. Inflamed tissue worsens by penetration, making you feel severe itching, soreness, and vaginal irritation.

If you have any symptoms listed above, it is essential to consult a gynecologist. Only an expert healthcare practitioner, like Dr. Namrata Shah & Dr. Dhaval Shah of Saavi Women's Hospital, Ahmedabad, may help you identify the cause of your symptoms, provide guidance and prescribe to get rid of the infection.

What to expect at the consultation for Vaginal Infection Treatment?

During the consultation at Saavi Women's Hospital, Ahmedabad, Dr. Namrata Shah & Dr. Dhaval Shah will enquire, in detail, about your symptoms and medical history before diagnosing a vaginal infection. The doctor may conduct a pelvic examination to look for symptoms like swelling or discharge. In some cases, a sample of vaginal discharge will be collected to be examined under a microscope to determine the exact causative organism.

How is Vaginal Infection Treatment performed?

Normally a gynecologist will prescribe creams, suppositories, vaginal tablets, or pills if you have any vaginal infection. Medicated creams and suppositories too are part of the treatment. However, depending on the cause and type of vaginal infections, you will require different treatments.

• For bacterial infections: Clindamycin is prescribed in cream or gel form or metronidazole (in pill, cream, or gel form).
• To cure a yeast infection: Dr. Namrata Shah & Dr. Dhaval Shah might suggest the use antifungal creams or suppositories.
• To treat trichomoniasis: Dr. Namrata Shah & Dr. Dhaval Shah may prescribe tablets containing tinidazole or metronidazole.
• To treat atrophic vaginitis: Dr. Namrata Shah & Dr. Dhaval Shah may give estrogen creams or tablets to treat atrophic vaginitis.

In addition to the above medications, Dr. Namrata Shah & Dr. Dhaval Shah may advise you to refrain from strong or fragrant soap, scented tampons or pads, and douches.

What are the risks associated with Vaginal Infection Treatment?

Usually, the medications given for vaginal infections are safe and do not cause any harm. However, some women may experience itching in the vagina, painful sex, and thick (odorless) discharge as a side effect. However, these effects are rare, mild, transient, and disappear as soon as you stop medications.

In addition, some women worry that taking these medications for vaginal infections will upset the microbial balance in the vagina. However, this anxiety is unnecessary because these medications only address your vaginal infection.

What is the cost of Vaginal Infection Treatment in Ahmedabad?

The cost of vaginal infection treatment in Ahmedabad depends on the type of infection and the chosen treatment option. Dr. Namrata Shah & Dr. Dhaval Shah will discuss the cost with you during your consultation.

Most women will experience vaginal infections at some point in their lifetime. It can be effectively treated with medicine. Even though you are aware of the symptoms of a vaginal infection, it is still vital to visit an expert gynecologist for a checkup. If you want to consult an expert doctor in Ahmedabad, book an appointment with a popular gynecologist, Dr. Namrata Shah & Dr. Dhaval Shah of Saavi Women's Hospital.