Vaginal infection

Definition

A vaginal infection is the pathological entry of various microorganisms into the vagina and the disease it causes. There are various microorganisms, or pathogens, that can cause a vaginal infection. A distinction is made between bacterial, viral and fungal infections of the vagina and infections caused by other microorganisms (protozoa). A vaginal infection, which also affects the vulva and the labia, is also called vulvovaginitis.

Causes

The causes of a vaginal infection are very diverse. Whenever the natural vaginal flora is attacked or is not intact, the conditions are right for germs and pathogens to penetrate the tissue. This is the case, for example, with people suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes or skin diseases such as neurodermatitis.

Excessive or inadequate intimate hygiene can also be the cause of a vaginal infection. Aggressive washing lotions change the acidic pH value of the vagina and thus enable the body’s own – actually harmless – fungi to cause an infection. The acidic vaginal environment can also be attacked after antibiotic therapy.

In such cases, fungal infections caused by the yeast fungus Candida albicans are preferred. Bacterial infections of the vagina are also caused by such an imbalance. The body’s own lactic acid bacteria in the vagina can be attacked by various factors, for example increased hygiene.

This changes the pH value of the vagina and leads to an overgrowth of other bacteria in the vagina. In most cases, this is the pathogen Gardnerella vaginalis. Frequent sexual intercourse, antibiotic therapy and a hormonal imbalance, for example estrogen deficiency, favour the occurrence of the bacterial infection.

There are also numerous other pathogens that can cause a bacterial infection of the vagina. Examples are Chlamydia or Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a pathogen that causes gonorrhoeae. These pathogens are usually transmitted through sexual intercourse.

The so-called trichomonas colpitis is also caused by transmission during sexual intercourse. Trichomonads are tiny microorganisms that typically cause a frothy, greenish discharge. The most common bacterial infection of the vagina is bacterial vaginosis.

Unlike, for example, a respiratory infection, in which the pathogen is transmitted from person to person, bacterial vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal flora. The vagina naturally contains many lactic acid bacteria, also called Döderlein bacteria, which ensure an acidic pH value to protect the vagina. If this Döderlein flora is attacked, for example by excessive intimate hygiene, other germs can colonize the vagina.

In most cases this is the germ Gardnerella vaginalis. A bacterial vaginosis is characterized by a thin fluid discharge with an unpleasant fishy odor. Symptoms can be completely absent.

If a bacterial vaginosis causes symptoms, these can vary greatly. Itching, vaginal burning and burning sensation when urinating are possible. However, a bacterial infection of the vagina can also be caused by the transmission of bacteria.

This usually happens during sexual intercourse. Typical pathogens are chlamydia or gonococcus. A fungal infection of the vagina is also known as candida vulvovaginitis.

It is a common infection that almost every woman experiences once in her life. The fungus that causes the vaginal mycosis is the yeast fungus Candida albicans. In small quantities it colonizes the vagina and does not cause infection.

However, if the vaginal flora is attacked, it can multiply and thus displaces other important microorganisms. The typical symptoms of the vaginal fungus then develop, namely itching, whitish discharge and burning in the vagina. Women who suffer from diabetes mellitus, are pregnant, have HIV or any other disease that attacks the immune system suffer more from vaginal mycosis.

Vaginal mycosis can also occur after antibiotic therapy. Incorrect intimate hygiene can also throw the vaginal flora out of balance and thus promote a fungal infection. or yeast fungus in the vaginaAn antibiotic therapy can cause the vaginal flora to be attacked.An undesirable side effect of antibiotic therapy is that even “good bacteria”, i.e. those that are naturally present in the body, are attacked.

This includes the important lactic acid bacteria of the vagina. They ensure an acidic pH value, which protects the vagina from penetrating microorganisms and pathogens. If the number of lactic acid bacteria is reduced, the pH value rises and other germs can settle and multiply.

Therefore, fungal infections and bacterial vaginosis can develop after antibiotic therapy. Viruses can also trigger a vaginal infection. A common pathogen is genital herpes, which is sexually transmitted.

The virus that causes this clinical picture is the herpes simplex virus, which is also responsible for the occurrence of lip herpes. An infection manifests itself by redness and swelling of the genital region, a feeling of tension, itching and burning. The initial infection, when the virus enters the body for the first time, is asymptomatic. The virus remains in the body for a lifetime, but only triggers symptoms, such as stress or a weakened immune system, through the presence of certain trigger factors.