Below you will find an overview and brief explanation of the most important vaginal diseases. The vagina has a very sensitive vaginal flora, which is colonized by naturally occurring germs and fulfills important functions for the defense against pathogens. A change in the vaginal flora can be a cause of vaginal diseases.
Classification
In the following you will find the most common diseases of the vagina divided into:
- Infectious diseases of the vagina
- Cancer of the vagina
- Inflammations of the vagina
- Other diseases of the vagina
Infectious diseases of the vagina
A vaginal infection is caused by the entry of various pathogens into the vagina. In most cases, this is caused by a vaginal flora that is not intact, which makes it easier to enter the vagina. The infection can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
The syptomas often manifest themselves as itching or burning in the vagina or when urinating and altered discharge. The therapy depends on the pathogen causing the vaginal infection. In the case of a bacterial infection, an antibiotic is usually prescribed, in the case of fungal infections a medication against fungi.
This topic might also be of interest to you: Itching in the vaginaThe yeast fungus Candida albicans and its relatives are among the most common infectious agents of an inflammation of the vulva and vagina. Scientists estimate that three out of four women (75%) experience a yeast infection of the vagina at least once in their lives. Five to eight percent of these women suffer from recurrent infections.
The vagina is more frequently affected than the external genital organs. If the external genitals are affected, the vagina is almost always inflamed as well. Typical symptoms of candidiasis are itching in the genital area, reddening of the skin, fluffy, whitish discharge from the vagina and a burning sensation during urination and sexual intercourse.
Candida albicans belongs in small numbers to the normal germinal flora of the vagina, but can gain the upper hand through hormonal dybalances or by taking antibiotics and then cause the symptoms. The fungal infection is diagnosed by the typical symptoms and a microscopy of the discharge. Candidosis is treated locally with an antifungal agent in the form of vaginal suppositories or ointments.
Oral therapy in the form of tablets is only necessary in cases of frequent infections. A fungal infection in pregnancy should be treated even if no symptoms are present. Otherwise, there is a risk that the fungi can be transmitted to the child and cause sepsis (colloquially blood poisoning) in the newborn.
Detailed information on this topic can be found here: Vaginal mycosisThe aminovaginosis is also called bacterial vaginosis. It is responsible for about two thirds of all vaginal diseases whose symptom is an increased discharge. In this disease the vaginal flora is considerably disturbed, which is caused by the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis and various intestinal bacteria.
Risk factors of such an infection are frequent sexual intercourse with different partners or the intake of antibiotics. The discharge is usually white, thin and contains vesicles. In addition, a fishy odor is noticeable, which is caused by the amines produced by the bacteria.
Amine vaginosis actually only describes a colonization with these bacteria, a vaginitis (colitis) can be the result. In addition to the typical smell, doctors determine the pH value of the discharge and look for so-called key cells under the microscope. The therapy consists of different treatments: antibiotics orally and vaginal ointment as well as the acidification of the vaginal flora by lactic acid and lactobacilli (which are a normal part of the vaginal flora).
During pregnancy, the treatment is adapted to the gestational age. If no treatment is given, there is a risk that the infection may rise and spread to the uterus or ovaries. You can find detailed information on this topic at Bacterial vaginosisAbout ten to thirty percent of all people worldwide are infected with the herpes simplex virus type 2, which is mainly responsible for genital herpes.
However, not all infected persons necessarily have the disease.Genital herpes is a very painful inflammation of the vulva caused by herpes viruses and transmitted through sexual contact. Typical symptoms are a classic rash: redness, small nodules with blisters and open sores that cause a strong burning sensation and pain. The lymph nodes of the groin are very often swollen on both sides.
The treatment is carried out with painkillers and the antiviral drug Aciclovir for 5 days. You can find detailed information on this topic at Herpes genitalisAbout 1% of all women have condylomas in the area of the external genitals caused by human papilloma viruses. Condylomas are small, benign growths of the uppermost skin layer and are mainly caused by the harmless HPV types 6 and 11.
They often disappear by themselves after a while, but otherwise they can be treated by various methods. You can find detailed information on this topic here: Human Papilloma VirusThis sexually transmitted disease is caused by the pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis and is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide, with approximately 200 million cases annually. In Germany this disease is rather rare with a frequency of about 1%.
In this disease a yellowish, possibly greenish, foamy discharge occurs. The vagina is slightly reddened and burns. The treatment is carried out by the single administration of 2g of metronidazole for the affected woman and her partner.
Toxic shock syndrome is similar to the clinical picture of blood poisoning (sepsis) and can lead to the development of shock. It is triggered by harmful substances (toxins) of the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. A distinction is made between the menstrual form and the non-menstrual form.
Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome are: If in addition three organ systems are damaged, the diagnosis of toxic shock syndrome can be made. The therapy should always be carried out in hospital under intensive medical supervision. As a general measure, fluid is given and an attempt is made to eliminate the cause of the infection.
If the Toxic Shock Syndrome is indeed caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic therapy is started according to a fixed schedule. A detailed report on the toxic shock syndrome can be found here
- In the menstrual form, i.e. during the woman’s menstrual period, the bacteria can accumulate in tampons and form the toxin. This form has been decreasing since the improvement of tampons. Instead, the non-menstrual form increases.
- Risk factors for the non-menstrual form are the use of mechanical contraceptives or even childbirth.
- High fever above 38.9 degrees Celsius
- A typical skin rash
- An increased heart rate
- As well as a lowered systolic blood pressure.
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