DiseasesAnomalies
The vagina can be affected by various diseases. These include inflammation, injury, cancer (vaginal tumor) as well as a descensus or prolapse of the vagina. An inflammation of the vagina is called vaginitis or colpitis; it is caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Typical symptoms are discharge, itching and burning pain. Pain during urination or sexual intercourse are also among the characteristic symptoms. Vaginal mycosis, also called vaginal mycosis, is one of the most common gynecological diseases.
The most common pathogens are candida, a special type of yeast fungus. Candida species are part of the normal flora and also occur in healthy individuals. Due to an imbalance in the vaginal flora, immune deficiencies, hormones or pH changes, these fungi can multiply and cause symptoms.
Immunocompromised or weakened people such as chemotherapy patients, diabetics and pregnant women are particularly at risk. Excessive personal hygiene, especially intimate hygiene and stress can also promote the development of vaginal fungi. As a rule, those affected report itching in the genital area and a white discharge.
In addition, skin changes and discomfort when urinating can also occur. In order to combat vaginal mycosis, it is recommended to take suitable antimycotics in the form of tablets or ointments. In order to prevent the disease from spreading and reinfection, it is also recommended to treat the sexual partner.
To prevent further fungal infections, excessive intimate hygiene and non-breathable underwear (e.g. made of synthetic fibres) should be avoided. Vaginal dryness occurs when the moisture production of the vagina is insufficient. As a rule, between two and five grams of vaginal discharge are produced per day.
This discharge has various functions, including a protective function and protection against friction during sexual intercourse. If the discharge is no longer sufficient and the vagina is dry, various complaints can occur such as itching, pain and burning. Vaginal dryness also makes you more susceptible to various infections caused by bacteria and fungi.
The cause of vaginal dryness can be hormonal and can particularly affect women in the menopause. Pregnancy and various drugs can also have an influence on hormones and thus on vaginal discharge. Since the secretion of fluid depends on the vaginal blood flow, nervous and vascular diseases can cause vaginal dryness.
Women suffering from multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus or high blood pressure are particularly affected. Excessive consumption of alcohol and nicotine also has a negative effect on blood vessels and can therefore also affect vaginal discharge. Vaginal dryness can also occur as a result of chemo or (anti)hormone therapy.
Mental stress, such as stress or anxiety, and excessive intimate hygiene can also cause vaginal dryness. If vaginal dryness is suspected, a gynecologist should be consulted. It is important to determine the cause in order to be able to initiate an adequate therapy.An itchy vagina is often an indication of infection by bacteria or parasites.
Infections caused by the herpes simplex virus lead to genital herpes, which is characterized by burning and itching vesicles in the genital area. Infection with Chlamydia can also lead to itching, although Chlamydia infections are usually asymptomatic. Parasite infestation often leads to inflammation, which is accompanied by itching.
Itching can also occur as a side effect of eczema. Infections caused by fungi or hormonal disorders as well as vaginal dryness can also cause itching. Urinary tract infections can also cause a similar symptomatology.
Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus vulvae usually occurs after menopause and is characterized by degeneration of the skin and pronounced itching. This disease can lead to cancer. It is generally important to visit a doctor to determine the exact cause of the itching and to be able to initiate the appropriate therapy.
The cause of prolonged itching should always be clarified, as it can also be a malignant disease. An inflammation of the vaginal mucosa is also called vaginitis. One speaks of vulvovaginitis from the moment the labia are pulled in pity.
An inflammation of the vagina is in most cases the result of an infection by bacteria or parasites. Possible pathogens are anaerobes that lead to vaginosis, fungi such as the candida species that cause vaginal mycosis or inflammation due to sexually transmitted pathogens such as trichomonads. Inflammation can also occur as a result of an allergy or as a reaction to a foreign body, but this is less common than infections.
Women who suffer from vaginal inflammation often show reddening of the vagina, the labia and possibly the perineum. Other symptoms include unpleasant intimate odour, increased discharge and pain when urinating or during sexual intercourse. A gynecologist should be consulted if vaginal inflammation is suspected.
After a detailed interview and examination, the appropriate therapy can be initiated. The therapy depends on the origin of the inflammation, the pathogen and the resistance of the pathogen. Antibiotics should be prescribed for bacterial infections, and antimycotics should be prescribed for fungal infections.
Vaginal cancer is a rare malignant degeneration of the female genital tract. The origin of this degeneration has not been clarified, but it is suspected that recurrent irritation, radiation and the use of coils (intrauterine devices) over many years may promote the development of vaginal cancer. In most cases, however, these are more likely to be tumors of the surrounding organs that spread into the vagina.
Vaginal cancer is usually a squamous cell carcinoma and tends to cross the organ boundaries. For example, the rectum or the bladder is also affected. Many women complain of bleeding after sexual intercourse and of hardening of the mucous membrane.
The vaginal fluid also turns red. If the tumour affects or displaces the rectum and bladder, it can also cause problems when urinating and defecating. Depending on where the tumor is located and how large it is, different therapeutic approaches can be considered.
In order to successfully remove the tumor, the vagina and possibly the uterus must often be removed. If the tumor is too large, local radiation can be performed to reduce the tumor mass. Despite successful therapy, relapses are frequent.
The secretion of vaginal fluid can be increased by various causes. During sexual arousal, more fluid is produced in order to enable smooth sexual intercourse. Infections caused by bacteria, fungi or other pathogens can also lead to increased discharge.
Hormonal disorders (estrogen deficiency as well as estrogen or gestagen excess) such as during pregnancy or menopause also influence the secretion of vaginal fluid. In addition, there are also misbehaviours such as excessive intimate hygiene or non-adapted irrigations which lead to a change in pH. Before starting a therapy it is important to find the trigger.
Increased secretion can only be successfully treated if the therapy is appropriate and targeted.Important distinguishing criteria are, for example, the quantity, color and consistency of the discharge, whether there is itching or whether certain medications (contraceptives, hormones) are taken. A tissue sample should also be taken to rule out cancer. Swelling of the vagina can have various causes.
For example, a swollen vagina can be caused by an accumulation of blood: Blood accumulates in the labia and makes them look larger. This accumulation is normal during sexual arousal. A swelling that persists for a long time after sexual intercourse may indicate irritation of the mucous membrane or the labia.
Gels, sexual toys and pubic hair can cause irritation. If the swelling does not appear immediately after sexual intercourse and is also painful, this indicates an infection. Various pathogens can cause vaginal swelling, especially sexually transmitted pathogens.
For example, infection with the bacterium Treponema pallidum can lead to syphilis (also syphilis). The first symptoms are a painless ulcer in the genital area and swelling of the adjacent lymph nodes. Furthermore, genital herpes can also cause swelling and itchy blisters on the genitals.
Infection with the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis can also lead to inflammation (trichomoniasis). This inflammation is often accompanied by redness and swelling of the vagina. If a swelling feels rather knotty or hard, this may be an indication of a malignant disease of the vagina.
Another typical clinical picture that can cause swelling of the vagina is so-called bartholinitis. This is an inflammation and sprain of the Bartholin glands in the vaginal wall. This inflammation can cause a large swelling with severe pain.
A vaginal tear is a rupture of the vagina. This injury can have various causes. The most common cause is a birth trauma during a natural delivery.
The use of a suction cup or obstetrical forceps can injure the vagina and thus lead to a tear. Even if the child’s head is too large compared to the birth canal, a rupture may occur. Vaginal ruptures can also occur as a result of sexual trauma such as rape or the introduction of foreign bodies into the vagina.
A vaginal rupture is usually painful, although the intensity of pain varies from woman to woman. The tear is usually longitudinal and can lead to bleeding. Torn vagina occurs more frequently in women with a weakness of the cervix (cervical insufficiency) during pregnancy or with a perineal tear.
Previous vaginal injuries also leave scars and lead to instability and susceptibility of the tissue. In severe cases, the connection between the uterus and the vagina can be completely severed (so-called colporrhexis). The therapy of choice for a vaginal tear is surgical suturing.
A vaginal cramp (vaginismus) is the uncontrolled spasm of the pelvic floor muscles that leads to a closure of the vagina. The spasmodic closure of the vagina makes it difficult or impossible to penetrate the vagina. For this reason, vaginal cramps severely restrict sexual activity.
The use of tampons or gynecological examinations is also particularly difficult in everyday life. Vaginal cramps are divided into primary and secondary vaginismus. Primary vaginismus is congenital and usually complete, i.e. the cramping prevents any penetration into the vagina.
Secondary vaginismus develops during life and is often incomplete. Secondary vaginismus usually only affects sexual intercourse and makes sexual life very difficult. Vaginal cramps are always psychological and often occur as a reaction to a trauma (rape, painful birth).
Therapy of choice is psycho- or behavioral therapy by a psychologist to deal with the underlying problem. Stretching exercises can also help reduce the strength of the cramps. Injuries to the vagina can occur in many different ways.
Examples are sexual intercourse (cohabitation), rape, circumcision, the penetration of a foreign body, surgery or deflowering (defloration, tearing of the hymen).Injury to the vagina through cohabitation usually manifests itself as a tear in the posterior vaginal vault, which leads to heavy bleeding and requires surgical treatment. In rape, on the other hand, the tear is usually located at the lateral vaginal vault. In the case of a descensus, the vagina and uterus descend due to a weakness of the pelvic floor muscles or connective tissue or due to increased pressure in the abdominal cavity.
In the case that the organs are protruding outside, this is called a prolapse. In these diseases, patients complain of a feeling of pressure, pain in the back and lack of urinary control (incontinence). These complaints are treated either by means of pelvic floor training or, in the case of a prolapse, by surgery.
You may also be interested in the following articles: Lowering of the uterus and uterine prolapseCongenital malformations (abnormalities) exist as further clinical pictures concerning the vagina. These can affect the hymen or the vagina as a whole. In this context, vaginal aplasia occurs, which is understood to be a lack of development of the created vagina.
Another clinical picture is the septated vagina, where the vagina is partially or completely divided by a septum. Hymenal atresia can also occur in newborns. Here the opening of the hymen is missing. All these anomalies are treated surgically.
