Inflammations of the vagina

Colitis is an inflammation of the vagina. It can have various causes such as germ contamination or hormonal causes during the menopause. The main symptom of colpitis is the altered vaginal discharge.

In addition, an infection can cause a burning of the vagina or itching. For therapy, antibiotics or medication against fungi are used. Lactic acid bacteria are also used to rebuild the natural vaginal flora.

Folliculitis is the medical term for an inflammation of the hair follicle, which is usually caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The hair follicle of one or more pubic hairs is inflamed, reddened and painful. It is possible that the inflammation of the hair follicles causes small or large abscesses to form.

Depending on the extent of the inflammation, local therapy with iodine ointment, antibiotic therapy or splitting of the abscess under local anesthesia is necessary. Those who suffer from frequent inflammation of the hair follicles can be counteracted by loose-fitting clothing. You can find detailed information on this topic here: FolliculitisThis clinical picture describes an inflammation or congestion of the Bartholin gland.

This gland serves to moisten the vaginal vestibule and is located at the entrance to the vagina. Inflammation is usually caused by germs of the intestinal flora. Treatment is performed by surgical opening of the gland, known as “marsupialization”. You can find detailed information on this topic here: Bartholinitis

Other diseases of the vagina

Vaginal dryness is a common symptom, which is caused by the fact that the vagina does not produce enough secretions. This is often accompanied by the following: The vaginal dryness is usually caused by hormonal changes, for example during menopause or pregnancy. However, vaginal dryness can also occur as an accompanying symptom in various other diseases.

Hormone preparations are used for therapy. Alternatively, there are also hormone-free drugs that can help to alleviate the symptoms. Care should also be taken to ensure that excessive intimate hygiene is not practised.

You can find detailed information on this topic at Vaginal dryness or inadequate vaginal lubrication – Therapy and prognosis

Pain during sexual intercourse
An itching or burning of the vagina and
Vaginal Infections

A fistula describes an unnatural connecting passage between two organ structures. A vaginal fistula is typically a connecting passage between the vagina and the rectum, bladder or ureter. The causes for the formation of such connecting passages are: The symptoms of a vaginal fistula depend on its location.

If there is a passage between the vagina and the bladder or ureter, the symptoms are often recurrent cystitis. If there is a connection between the rectum and the vagina, inflammation of the vaginal mucosa can be seen, since components of the stool enter the vagina and the germs contained there cause an infection. The therapy of choice for a vaginal fistula is closure by means of surgery.

Tumors
Operations, (such as the removal of the uterus) or
Injuries during birth

The vagina and the uterus are attached to the pelvis by a holding apparatus consisting of muscles and ligaments. If this holding apparatus is overstretched or damaged during the birth process, for example, gravity can cause the vagina to descend. Since both the bladder and rectum are located in the direct vicinity of the vagina, functional disorders may occur during urination and defecation.

In some cases, the bladder and ureter may also descend. The symptoms can be easily deduced.It can lead to bladder emptying disorders or to urine and faeces incontinence. In addition, discomfort can occur during sexual intercourse due to the vaginal descent.

The vaginal descent can be diagnosed by an ultrasound examination. In more complicated cases, an MRI can also provide information about the exact position of the pelvis. In mild cases, training of the pelvic floor and local administration of the hormone estrogen can limit the progressive lowering.

In more advanced cases, especially if the bladder and rectum are already affected, surgical correction can be considered. In hymenal atresia, the hymen closes the entire vaginal entrance. In vaginal atresia, the vaginal outlet, i.e. the external orifice of the vagina, is missing.

Vaginal atresia can either be congenital or caused by an injury or infection. These two malformations are often not noticeable until puberty. With the first menstrual period, blood collects in the vagina because it cannot drain away.

As the blood volume increases, it continues to congest until it reaches the uterus and the fallopian tubes. Patients experience monthly pain that increases every month. This can be explained by the increasing amount of blood that accumulates in the vagina and uterus.

In some cases this can be felt in the lower abdomen. Another symptom is the absence of menstruation. The therapy of hymenal atresia consists of dilating the hymen with an incision.

In the case of vaginal atresia, the therapy depends on how extensive the adhesions are. In some cases, an incision is sufficient to reopen the vaginal outlet. However, it is also possible that the vaginal outlet may have to be completely repositioned using plastic surgery.

Swelling of the vaginal entrance can have various causes, most of which are harmless. A common cause is inflammation of the Bartholin glands (Bartholinitis) on the labia majora. Another cause can be genital warts, which are caused by the HP virus.

The symptoms may also include pain or overheating of the affected area. The therapy for bartholinitis consists of splitting the abscess. Genital warts are removed by laser or cold therapy.

Vaginal cramp (vaginismus) describes an involuntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles and parts of the vaginal muscles, so that the insertion of objects into the vagina is only possible with pain, if at all. This means that there are difficulties during sexual intercourse, when inserting a tampon and also during gynaecological examinations, although the woman does not object to this. The cause is usually the malfunction of an organic structure, but it can also be psychological.

The therapy is mainly focused on physical training. Training the pelvic floor muscles, for example, has the effect that the woman learns to tense the muscles arbitrarily, but also to relax them. In addition, so-called vaginal dilators are used.

These are cone-shaped rods which are supposed to help stretch and relax the vaginal muscles. Psychotherapy can also be used, but is usually not the therapy of first choice. You can find detailed information on this topic at Vaginal cramp

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