Health & Wellness

Vaginal Infection: Everything you need to know

Vaginal Infection: Everything you need to know

 Ladies, all the things you stress about can hamper your vaginal health! Yes, you read that right. 

The vagina has both healthy and unhealthy bacteria, which help retain the ideal balance of the vagina. But stress affects your body's immunity which in turn might not regulate the vagina's balance and open the doors for Vaginal Infections. 

Vaginal Infections can cause mild to severe pain and discomfort in your intimate area, impacting your health and day to day activities. There are multiple infections that you could deal with, but the symptoms for them are pretty much the same, such as, 

  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Discharge with a strong odour 
  • Pain and irritation in the vagina 
  • Burning sensations while peeing

The most common vaginal infections are Yeast Infections, Bacterial Infections, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Viral Infections. Some other symptoms of these infections are swelling around the vulva, pain while having sexual intercourse, itching in the vulva, bleeding, green, yellow or grey vaginal discharge, pelvic pains, and ulcers in the labia. 

 

How to treat Vaginal Infections?

However horrific these infections may sound, they can always be treated. But to do that, it is essential to understand what exactly you and your vagina are dealing with and get the proper treatment. Also, don't shy away from consulting a doctor. To further treat the infection, the doctors can suggest, 

  • Antibiotics, antifungal creams for yeast infections, 
  • Metronidazole and clindamycin for bacterial infection, and
  • Oestrogen creams or tablets to help with severe vaginal dryness and irritation. 

How to Avoid Vaginal Infections? The role of Vaginal Infection Kit and Intimate Wash 

Maintain the pH Balance: A vagina is designed to clean itself. So, avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers inside the vagina, as these affect a healthy pH balance. To test your pH balance at home, use Vaginal Infection pH Screening Kit

Have a Rich Diet: Having good food keeps your body and immunity healthy and is also the key to keeping your vagina blooming. Food rich in omega fatty acids and probiotics can be extremely helpful in avoiding vaginal infections. You can also consume apples, avocados, soy, and cranberries for a healthy vagina. 


Practice Safe Sex: Adopting safe sex practices can help you avoid infections down there. Don't let harmful bacteria into the vagina, and to do that, keep changing your condoms when switching from anal and oral sex to vaginal sex. 


Avoid using Scented Sanitary Products: When scented tampons or pads directly touch the skin, it increases the chances of contracting bacterial or yeast infections.


Follow Good Hygiene: Yes, something as simple as wearing dry and comfortable underwear can also help avoid vaginal infections. Along with this, change your underwear daily and change your sanitary products every 4-8 hours.


Use Vaginal Hygiene Products: In a lifetime, our vaginas go through a lot and some natural care is all they need and deserve. Use a Natural Intimate Wash which maintains has a pH of 3.5 to 4.5


Never take your vaginal health lightly, and consult a doctor if you experience anything different from usual. 

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✍️ This article was curated by Smita Bagwadi

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