TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF VAGINITIS

A 30-year-old woman came to my clinic complaining of an offensive discharge from the vagina. She could get foul smell all the time and was embarrassed that someone else may also get it. There was also a lot of itching and she had a constant desire to itch the genital region.
This was not the first time she had this discharge. It had been on and off problem since a few years. I asked her what was the colour and odor of the discharge and she described it as being grayish white in colour and having a peculiar fishy smell.
This woman was suffering from a case of Bacterial Vaginitis, which required the correct treatment to eradicate.

WHAT IS VAGINITIS?

Vaginitis is the medical term used for inflammation of the vaginal tissues. This is a very common problem experienced by women during some time in their life. It is also seen during pregnancy in some women where it can be a real problem.
There are different types of vaginitis depending on the cause of the inflammation. Here I have described the most common types.
1. Bacterial Vaginosis

2. Yeast or Fungal Infections

3. Trichomoniasis

4. Atrophic Vaginitis

BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS

Normally in the vaginal area of a woman there are two types of bacteria always present, good bacteria and bad bacteria. The good bacteria outnumber the bad bacteria and therefore we do not suffer from infections all the time. However when this balance is disturbed and the bad bacteria multiply more than the good bacteria then the problem of bacterial vaginitis takes place.
This problem can spread through sexual contact but can also occur in people who are not sexually active. Women who use intra-uterine contraceptive devices (like copper T) are more susceptible to these infections.

Signs and Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis

1. The woman will complaint of a offensive discharge which has a peculiar fish like smell.

2. Vaginal irritation and constant desire to itch the genitals.

3. Sometimes there may be pain during intercourse.

4. The colour of the discharge is mostly whitish gray.

5. There may be a burning sensation especially while passing urine.

6. Sometimes there may even be slight bleeding from the vagina.

YEAST OR FUNGAL INFECTIONS

These are one of the commonest types of infections of the genital region. These kinds of infections occur when there is some external or internal factor, which affects the environment of the vagina. This disturbance in the vaginal environment can cause an overgrowth of a microscopic organism known as Yeast or Candida albicans. Again this type of infection is not considered to be sexually transmitted. Most women suffer from this infection atleast once during their lifetime. This fungus can also cause problems in other moist areas of your body like mouth, skin folds, nails etc…

Factors that increase the risk of getting a fungal infection of the vaginal area are:
1. Taking certain medications like antibiotics or steroids, which suppress the immunity.

2. If you are diabetic and your sugar levels are not under controlled.

3. Changes in your hormone levels like during pregnancy or menopause.

4. If you are on birth control pills.

5. Using vaginal contraceptives can increase your susceptibility to vaginal infections.

6. Wearing tight fitting clothing.

7. Keeping the area damp and unhygienic.

Signs and Symptoms of Yeast infections

1. Here intense, uncontrollable itching is the key symptom.

2. The discharge is normally thick and white in colour.

3. It is curdy in consistency and is sometimes described like cottage cheese (like soft paneer).

4. There may or may not be pain during intercourse and urination.

5. A foul smell may be there with fungal infections.

TRICHOMONIASIS

This is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a microscopic organism known as Trichomonas vaginalis. This infection spreads from one partner to the other who does not have it. It also causes infection in the urinary tract of men however there are many who have no symptoms and therefore do not know that they are carrying this parasite.

Signs and Symptoms of Trichomoniasis

The symptoms of this infection are similar to the ones written above. The only difference is that the discharge is usually greenish yellow and frothy in consistency.

ATROPHIC VAGINITIS

In this type of vaginits the symptoms are not caused by any infection but by the changes in the oestrogen levels especially during menopause. Due to this change in hormone levels the vaginal tissues become thinner and drier which sometimes leads to the symptoms of vaginitis. There may be a burning, itching sensation due to the dryness.

NONINFECTIOUS VAGINITIS

Sometimes vaginal sprays, detergents, soaps, contraceptive products etc…. can cause an allergic reaction and this irritates the delicate skin causing inflammation. This gives rise to symptoms of vaginitis like burning, itching and pain.

HOW CAN VAGINITIS BE PREVENTED?

Here are a few tips on how you can prevent vaginitis from happening:

1. Always use a condom while having sexual intercourse if you are unsure of the person. This is the best way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases especially HIV.

2. Wash the soap of completely from that area during a bath to prevent irritation and keep the area very clean and dry.

3. Always use toilet paper after going to the toilet in order to keep the area dry. However make sure you wipe from front to back and not the other way round.

4. Only wear cotton underwear. Avoid synthetic undergarments as yeast thrive in moist areas.

5. Avoid using bubble baths, douches or other vaginal contraceptives if you are prone to these infections.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR VAGINITIS?

The treatment for vaginitis depends what is causing the problem. Most Gynaecologists will prescribe some creams to apply and tablets to consume orally or insert into the vagina. Though effective these treatments do not help to cure or prevent these infections from occurring again. Also many of these just help to suppress the problem temporarily.
Sometimes both the partners should be treated otherwise the vicious cycle of one infecting the other will continue.
In Homoeopathy we treat the female according to her set of symptoms and signs. We also take into account the cause and her constitution. The colour, consistency, odour of the discharge are very important guiding symptoms. Here are a few remedies used to tackle the problem of vaginitis when the symptoms correspond.

ALUMINA

Here the discharge is acrid, so profuse that the woman feels as if it will run down to the feet. The discharge is transparent in colour, ropy in consistency. There is lot of burning in the genital area due to the corrosive nature of the discharge.
The affected areas are inflamed and so painful that even walking becomes difficult. The patient will complaint of a constant desire to itch the area.
All these symptoms are worse during the daytime and after her period. The only thing that gives relief is washing the genital area with cold water.

Alumina 1M, should be thought of when these symptoms are present.

BORAX

When the discharge appears like the white portion of an egg think of this remedy. It is pasty in consistency and feels hot. She says that there is a sensation as if warm water was flowing.
There is severe itching of the vulva, which causes a lot of discomfort. In Borax the symptoms normally come on or are worse either before or after the period. The desire for sexual intercourse is greatly reduced.
Borax is also an excellent remedy in cases of membranous dysmenorrhoea.

Borax 200, 5 pills 4 times a day should be given in order to cure the infection.

GRAPHITES

Graphites is one of the most effective remedies in treating cases of Vaginitis. Here the discharge is pale, white, thin in nature. It is excoriating and acrid. The discharge comes in gushes day and night. All these symptoms are aggravated either before of after the menses. The patient also complains of backache along with this discharge.
Graphites is also useful in cases of skin problems like eczema of the vulva and herpetic eruptions in this area.

Give Graphites 200, 5 pills 4 times a day till complete healing takes place.

SEPIA

This is an excellent remedy in cases of problems relating to the female genital tract. There is a peculiar sensation that the Sepia patient experiences, she feels as if all the pelvic organs will escape through the vulva. This bearing down sensation is so apparent that she has to cross her legs and sits in order to feel comfortable.
In Sepia the discharge is greenish yellow in colour and therefore effective in cases of Trichomoniasis. There is a lot of soreness, redness of the labia and the surrounding areas. The patient has no desire for intercourse, which is painful.
Sepia should also be thought of in cases of white discharge in young girls. Here the discharge is whitish, lumpy curd like in nature.

According to the case the potency and dosage of Sepia should be determined.

Please do not self-medicate or try over the counter creams and tablets in cases of Vaginitis. Consult your physician or Homoeopath if you are suffering from this problem.