The technical term vaginitis stands for a vaginal inflammation. Here you can find out which symptoms indicate an inflamed vagina and what can help.
What is vaginitis?
Vaginitis (also "vaginal inflammation" or "colpitis") is a comparatively common infectious disease of the vagina, which can cause symptoms such as itching, burning sensation and changed discharge. About 25 percent of all women will have vaginitis at least once in their life. It often occurs in combination with vulvitis (inflammation of the external genital organs). However, vaginitis can be treated well with the help of medication.
Forms of vaginitis
There are two forms of vaginitis:
- Primary vaginitis: Many bacteria and germs penetrate the vagina from the outside and damage the protective mucous membranes.
- Secondary vaginitis: Here the mucous membranes are already attacked and the body's defenses are weakened. This allows pathogens to multiply more easily. However, a lack of estrogen (e.g. during puberty or menopause) can trigger secondary vaginitis.
In girls before puberty, the vaginal environment is not yet fully developed and is less acidic due to the low estrogen production. Therefore germs and bacteria can spread more easily. Improper toilet hygiene and urinary tract infections can also trigger vaginal infections. In women during and after the menopause, hormone production generally decreases – also that of estrogen. This also breaks down the body's own protection from the vagina, making some women more prone to vaginitis.
Causes: This is how vaginitis develops
If the vaginal flora is disturbed, germs have an easy job. The following causes can be responsible:
- Therapy with antibiotics for another disease
- Irritation, e.g. from tampons
- Sex toys not properly cleaned
- Underwear that is too tight and impermeable to air
- After defecation is wiped from back to front
- Change from anal to vaginal intercourse
- In some cases, genital scale fencing
Important to know: Vaginitis can also be transmitted from men to women during sexual intercourse.
Symptoms: this is how you recognize vaginitis
In many cases, vaginitis is initially symptom-free, so that the woman concerned does not even notice it. It can sometimes take months before various symptoms appear due to the inflammation, which differ depending on the cause:
- Bacterial infection: unpleasant intimate odor
- Infection with fungi: Strong, partly crumbly discharge in whitish-yellow color
- Parasite infection: yellow discharge accompanied by severe burning
- Genital herpes: small blisters and severe pain
Regardless of the cause, it can also lead to burning pain, itching, light bleeding and discomfort during sexual intercourse. If the infection remains undetected for a long time, the inflammation can spread to the external genitals and cause redness, small ulcers and nodules there, for example.
Treatment: what helps with colpitis
Depending on the cause of the vaginal inflammation, the symptoms are treated with different medications, usually antibiotics. In the case of virus-related infections, on the other hand, the active ingredient metronidazole is used. Creams and suppositories are used instead of tablets. But: Even after the infection has subsided, the vaginal environment is often still disturbed. To restore the natural protection, there are, for example, so-called probiotic tampons, which are enriched with lactic acid bacteria and thus normalize the pH value of the vagina again.
How do I prevent vaginal inflammation?
Women often unintentionally destroy the vaginal environment themselves – for example through too intensive care of the genital area. The following tips will help prevent vaginitis:
- Avoid excessive intimate hygiene, e.g. B with unnecessary conditioners or lotions
- Avoid products with fragrances
- Do not wear genital piercing
- Do not wear underwear that is too small or tight
- Use a condom during sex
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