Types of Vaginal Infection and How to Identify

The vaginal infection arises when the female genital organ is infected by some type of microorganism, and the fungi, such as Candida, are the most frequent, and may also be by bacteria, viruses or amoebas.

Generally, the vaginal infection causes symptoms such as intense itching in the intima, redness, whitish discharge and foul smell, for example, and some common infections include:

• Candidiasis;
• Bacterial vaginosis;
• Trichomoniasis;
• Genital herpes;
• HPV;
• Chlamydia;
• Gonorrhea;
• Syphilis.

These infections are usually transmitted by intimate contact, however, candidiasis can occur in case of changes in vaginal pH and bacterial flora, common in women who experience a process of immunity or stress. For more information on each type of infection, check out how to identify and treat the most common genital infections.

The vaginal infection has a cure and its treatment must be guided by a gynecologist, as it is necessary to identify which organism is causing the infection and which remedy is most appropriate to eliminate it.

Main symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the causative agent, but some typical signs and symptoms are:

• Pain or burning when you urinate;
• Pain during intercourse;
• Itching in the intimate region;
• Strain with or without bad smell;
• Wounds, ulcers or warts in the intimate region
• Redness of the entire affected area;
• Pain in the lower abdomen.

These symptoms may appear in isolation or associated, and it is common for the woman to present at least 2 of these symptoms. In addition, it is important to remember that other diseases can cause some of the symptoms, such as pain in the belly or during intercourse, for example, and the main way to identify and confirm that it is a genital infection is through consultation with the gynecologist, who can do a thorough evaluation and request tests if necessary.

Thus, other changes such as allergies or hormonal changes can also cause these symptoms. Check out more about these and other possible causes of inflammation in the vagina.

How is the treatment done?

The treatment for infection of the genitals is done with the intention of eliminating the microorganism caused:

1. Treatment with medicines

Treatment for vaginal infection is usually done with the use of antifungal agents such as Clotrimazole or Miconazole in the form of ointments, vaginal tablets or ova that should be applied for up to 3 days or in a single application to fight fungus.

However, when the infection is caused by other microorganisms such as bacteria, the doctor may prescribe the use of oral antibiotics or vaginal application such as Clindamycin or Metronidazole, for example, to eliminate bacteria and relieve symptoms. In the case of genital warts caused by HPV, a procedure of cauterization of the lesions is also indicated. In addition, it is recommended to always use a condom during intimate contact because there is a chance of passing the microorganism to the partner and then become infected again after treatment.

2. Homemade options

A great home-cooked option to complement the treatment of vaginal infections is aroeira tea, in the form of genital and tea-washings, as it helps to rebalance the vaginal flora and prevent infections such as bacterial vaginosis. Check out the recipe and how to use it in home remedy for vaginal infection. It is important to remember that home remedies do not exclude the need to do the medical evaluation and follow the guidelines.

During the treatment of genital infection, it is recommended to drink lots of liquid throughout the day, avoid excessive consumption of alcohol, sugar and foods with fat.

In addition, another important tip that helps strengthen the immune system and prevent vaginal infections is to ingest about 1.5 liters of water a day and give preference to vegetables, fruits and vegetables.

How to avoid vaginal infections

Some care that helps prevent the development of vaginal infections include:

• Wear tight cotton underwear;
• Avoid wearing tight pants;
• Avoid overuse of intimate showers;
• Keep the intimate area always clean and dry;

It is important to remember that the main way to avoid any vaginal infection is with the use of condoms, both male and female.