VAGINAL HEALTH

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INTRODUCTION

If your Vagina could talk, it'll probably beg you to read this😊

Keeping a healthy vulva and vagina will help prevent infections and discomfort.

A lot of women experience uncomfortable, vaginal infections at one time or another. Abnormal changes in vaginal discharge is a sign that there might be an issue.

Not all the vagina infections are alike and Home treatments could also worsen the situation so if you have concerns or notice changes about your vagina health,get in touch with your doctor or Pharmacist😉.

COLOUR CODES FOR VAGINAL DISCHARGES/SECRETIONS AND WHAT THEY MEAN

Apart from the Red colour discharge your period as part of your normal menstrual cycle, it's normal to produce *clear or white secretions or discharge from your vagina especially during ovulation, pregnancy or sexual arousal .it usually has the feel and consistency of egg white.

*a more clear ,thin and slippery clear secretions could indicate ovulation while

* white secretion without clump indicates the vagina's natural cleansing mechanism.

*White clumpy discharge accompanied by a strong odour and itching or irritation can indicate Candida Infection.

*Dark Yellow Clumpy Discharge may indicate the presence of Candida and Bacteria Vaginosis.

Pink colour may indicate cervical bleeding,implantation bleeding or irritation in the Vagina

*Bacteria Vaginosis brings with it symptoms like irritation, redness of the area around the Vagina opening, yellow colour discharge with a strong (fishy) odour.

* Green colour usually indicates the presence of Trichomonas

* Sometimes, Lower Abdominal Pain which intensifies during Sexual Intercourse usually indicates Pelvic Inflammatory Disease(PID).

Note that Antibiotics and hormones could influence the odour and colour of vaginal discharge too.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

While vaginal infections are rarely ever too serious, you can help prevent them from occurring in the first place.

These ways include:

1.Practice good hygiene

2.Wear the right clothes e.g Like wearing breathable underwear made mostly from cotton, Don't wear tight clothes.If you experience vagina yeast infection frequently, try going to bed pantie-free

3.Avoid scented sprays and bath products. Don't wash the vagina area with scented soaps or wipes.

4.Don't direct water or vapour upon the vagina as a way for vagina irrigation

5.Avoid certain medications (when possible)

6.Maintain proper diet, sleep, and exercise

7.Keep the vagina clean and dry

8.After using the bathroom, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading yeast or bacteria between your anus, urinary tract, or vagina.

9.Change Tampons and pads regularly.

TREATMENT

The effects of vaginal infections could be embarrassing but they're treatable.

Talk to your pharmacist or Doctor when u notice any sign of vaginal infection so they'll recommend suitable treatment for you.

Some of the drugs with some brand names available in pharmacies in Nigeria for treatment of Vaginal infections include:

Miconazole cream (GynoDaktarin®) for treating vagina infection caused by Candida;

Clotrimazole tablets(Mycoten®) for fungal infections;

Klovinal® for treating Trichomonas, Bacteria Vaginosis and Candidiasis.;

Ketoconazole

Fluconazole;

2g Stat dose of Secnidazole can also be used in treatment of Pelvic inflammatory disease and Trichomonas.

Betrosil® cream can also be used for the itching accompanying many vaginal infections.

Ornidazole + Ofloxacin (Nidof®) is also very effective against a variety of organisms that cause some of these infections.

And other antibiotics

Just to Mention a few.

Keep in mind that many of these drugs could have side effects so always consult your pharmacist or doctor to know which one is appropriate for your condition.

Never take any medication or even use a nonprescription vaginal cream while you're pregnant unless you've seen your doctor first.

Frequent, repeated vaginal infections can also be a sign of a resistant strain of the causative agent or a more serious disease condition so self examination is not just enough, always speak to a professional. Also, as pharmacists, if symptoms presented are not so clear, always recommend medical tests which will help identify the exact organisms and specific antibiotics which these organisms are susceptible to . This helps in individualization of therapy and to avoid failed therapy and antibiotics resistance.

Another very important point which we fail to consider is having to treat the other partner in cases of STIs and Urinary tract infections. This helps to prevent re-infection especially in cases where such partners were already infected. Always encourage Treatment regimen for the partners too.

Also worthy of note is that vaginal creams, vaginal tablets, and suppositories may be made with oil, which can damage condoms and diaphragms. So you’ll need to use another birth control method or abstain from sex during treatment if you don’t want to get pregnant.

Stay safe, remember "your Health is in your Hands".

By: Omo-Ogbemudia Osamudiamen, Aigbosuria Excel Efosa and Obasogie Osarenmwindamwen Harry