Infections of the female genital organs are quite common, causing serious complaints and sometimes serious complications. Although vaginal discharge and pain are the most frequent gynecologic symptoms, to establish the diagnosis of inflammation is not alwasy easy. Moreover, infections often are renewed and sufficacy of the treatment is often unsatisfactory.

A few facts about infections:

1)  There are more then 30 types of bacteria living in the vagina, their eradication is not only unnecessary but harmful as well. 

2) Factors predisposing to genital infections:

• Menstruation, sexual intercourse
• Diabetes
• Antibiotic treatment for other reasons
• Promiscuity

3)  Some of the infections can be sexually transmitted and may cause symptoms in the partner as well.

Symptoms

• Continuous vaginal discharge
• Burning sensation, itching
• Painful sexual intercourse
• Sometimes fishy odor 

 

Diagnosis

Establishment of  the medical diagnosis of a genital infection is the task of a gynecologist. Inspection of the vagina and other examinations help the doctor to differentiate among the pathogens. Treatment also depends on the type of the infection.

Types of genital infections

1) Vaginal infections are caused by anaerobic bacteria, Trichomonas, or fungi (Candida). Chlamydia is a bacterial parasite living in the cervical canal of the uterus. Chlamydia infections are quite common. Although infection does not often cause symptoms, it can cause infertility, miscarriage and premature birth. Early diagnosis followed by appropriate treatment by the gynecologist is therefore very important.

2)  Genital virus infections have special clinical importance. Infections caused by human papilloma virus (HPV) are very common, they do not cause clinical symptoms and complaints, however, some types of the virus are believed to cause cervical cancer. Treatment of HPV is not yet solved, however, vaccination, in order to prevent HPV infection is already available.

 

Another virus causing genital infection is herpes virus. It does not cause cancer, but symptoms of the infections are very unpleasant: edema, itching, and painful blisters.

Early diagnosis of viral genital infection followed by appropriate treatment by the gynecologist is necessary.

 

Treatment

It is very important that a woman experiencing the first signs and symptoms of a genital infection should immediately visit her gynecologist. It is absolutely unacceptable that women, without an appropriate diagnosis, often buy different OTN medications and ointments to treat themselves, since inadequate treatment can result in serious pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, extrauterine gravidity, miscarriage and premature birth.