No more guessing... Vaginal Infections are preventable!
Recognizing vaginal infections are one of the keys to vaginal health… Learn the signs that will prevent problems and protect you.
What is Vaginal Infection? Vaginal infection is irritation of the vaginal canal and vulva area that causes inflammation to occur.
To put it another way... vaginal infection is inflammation of the vaginal canal and vulva area.
The vaginal canal, the vulvar and the pelvic area are not supposed to be inflamed thus the infection... causing pain.
Inflammation is a biological response of blood-carry vessels/tissue reaction to harmful agents that causes a reaction e.g.:
Washing the vulva area with a heavily perfumed soap (the agent/the cause) this causes irritation (the reaction/response)= the infection
Now, the infection causes the vagina to kick into defense mood by inflaming the area. The inflammation is not the infection it is a symptom.
It is an attempt to protect the area that has the infection and to remove the agent so that the area can heal.
This infection causes abnormal discharge that is foul/smelly (fishy) and/or excessive, pain (mild to severe) in the vaginal canal as well as the vulvar, pelvic and abdominal areas, mild to severe itchiness inside the vagina and around the vulvar, swelling, redness, heat, frequent and painful urination and possibly loss of function.
Abnormal discharge can range in color and texture anywhere from ash grey and thin to greenish and clumpy to bloody brown and chalky.
Depending on your diet the combinations of color and texture may vary.
The inflammation as a result of vaginal infection is known as Vaginitis, which is inflammation of the vagina.
Not all vaginal infection are the same, some fall into the STD/STI category. There are four main types: Bacterial, Fungal, Viral and Parasitical.
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There are seven most common types of vaginitis:
Candida vaginitis (commonly known as Yeast infection), Bacterial vaginosis (BV)Chlamydia vaginitis, Trichomoniasis vaginitis (a STD infection), viral vaginitis, Non-infectious vaginitis and Atrophic vaginitis (common to menopause)
The two infections below are the most common. I've put BV and Candida in their own category because you don't only have to engage in intercourse to get these infections.
They also can have excessive/thick discharge, smelly or non-smelly discharge, itchy vulva, frequent urination, durning and pain.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Candida Infection
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Bacterial Vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of the natural bacteria (good and bad) that lives in the vagina.
An imbalance in the normal vaginal pH environment whether it’s due to washing with heavily perfumed soap, new sex partner or a heavy period can result in a decrease of good bacteria (lactobacillus) leaving the bad bacteria (anaerobic) to overgrow.
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Candida Infection (commonly known as Yeast Infection)
Candida Infection is a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of the natural fungus that lives in the vagina.
An imbalance in the normal vaginal environment whether it’s due to hormonal changes just before or during your periods, antibiotics or even stress can result in a decrease of good fungi leaving the bad fungus to overgrow.
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Non-Infectious Vaginitis
Non-Infectious Vaginitis is exactly what it reads. It is vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina) without the infection.
It too can have the vaginal discharge, the smelly discharge, the itchy vulva and the pain but for another reason.
The cause usually is an allergic reaction that irritates the vaginal area. The vaginal environment inside and out is very sensitive douching in some women can cause this reaction.
This is why you should know your body and more specifically your vagina.
Vaginal hygiene sprays, birth control products, vaginal suppositories, wipes and lubricants, perfumed soaps and lotions, laundry detergents and fabric softeners, vaginal waxing and public hair removal creams can all have an negative affect on the vaginal area.
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Vaginal Health/ Recognizing vaginal infections