Vaginal complaints The right ‘indoor environment’

The contraceptive pill acts on the acidity in the vagina. A course of antibiotics also affects the environment in the intestines and vagina. For example, such a course can cause a vaginal infection. In addition, excessive hygiene, especially with shower foam or regular soap, also changes the acidity.

Risk factor

Fungi and bacteria then have a greater chance. Prolonged and heavy periods can be another cause of a vaginal infection. Frequent sex, just like changing contacts, is a risk factor. Also change your tampons on time, because they can also lead to an infection. Some women belong to a risk group. In diabetic patients, for example, the infection candida is common.

What infections are there?

The vagina is a vulnerable organ because it is in direct contact with the outside air. Moreover, it is warm, which allows bacteria to thrive. The bacterium Gardnerella is the culprit in bacterial vaginosis or vaginitis. The secretion is grey-white, stinks and itchy. A candida yeast infection causes a friable, yellowish-white discharge, pain and a burning sensation to the vagina. Often the labia are also red and swollen. Another bacterium that multiplies quickly in a vagina with too low an acidity is trichomonas. This bacterium is sexually transmitted. It causes a yellowish discharge, an unpleasant (often fishy) odor, itching, pain and a rapidly bleeding vagina. Foamy green discharge with gas bubbles and dark yellow, brown and bloody discharge may also occur.

Important role man

Although the man usually has no complaints himself, except in the case of candida, he often plays an important role in the development of vaginal infections due to venereal diseases. The germs that cause inflammation of the vagina or cervix in women are often found under the foreskin of the penis, in the urethra, or in the prostate in men. Often the man does not feel it. The reverse is also possible. A woman has no complaints of a vaginal infection, so she infects a man during sex.

You must therefore take into account an exchange effect during the treatment. The woman infects the man who is not bothered by it. When the woman eventually develops symptoms, only she is treated. This creates a new inflammation during sex. Therefore, both partners must be treated. So talk openly and honestly with your partners about your vaginal complaints. Your GP will always ask about any complaints from your partner.

Prevent complaints

• Never wash the vagina with soap, just with water.
• Use as few panty liners as possible. These suck up the secretion and start scalding. It is better to change your underwear several times a day. Preferably wear cotton. Synthetic underwear becomes brooding and stimulates the secretion.
• Sleep without underwear or pajamas. The more air the area around the vagina gets, the better.
• Always use a clean washcloth when washing the vagina. Used washcloths always contain bacteria. It is best not to use a washcloth at all, but to rinse yourself with the shower.
• To keep the vagina clean, there are special products for intimate hygiene. These often contain lactic acid.
• After a large message, wipe the vagina and anus from front to back. Not from back to front. This allows bacteria from the gut to get to the vagina and cause an infection.
• Do you have vaginal complaints? Do not use saliva as a lubricant when having sex. Also in saliva are bacteria and fungi that the vagina would rather get rid of than be rich.
• According to some people, ironing underwear can help prevent vaginal complaints. Hot ironing your panties kills bacteria and mold. In the past, this was done in the cooking wash of one hundred degrees Celsius. Because nobody washes that hot anymore, ironing is a good alternative.
• Scratch as little as possible when itching. The delicate tissue around the vagina is easily damaged. It is better to wash with water only a few times a day and pat dry.