How can I prevent vaginitis?
The most important method of preventing Vaginitis is having good personal hygiene. Here are other things you can do to help lower your chances of having vaginitis:
Stay away from irritating products. Avoid douching or using vaginal sprays or perfumed soaps on the vaginal area. They can cause irritation.
Stay away from tight clothes. People that wear tight jeans or spandex are at a higher risk of having yeast infections.
Don’t wear clothes that absorb heat and moisture. Examples are Nylon underwear, tight jeans, gym shorts, and leggings that don’t breathe, and pants without a cotton panel can cause yeast infections.
Some yogurts contain active cultures that can help prevent yeast infection [2].
Reduce your risk of STIs by not having multiple sex partners. Practice sex with a barrier method to reduce the risk of an STI. It is also important to get tested for STIs.
You can go through hormone therapy. If you’re perimenopausal or menopausal, you may have symptoms caused by the absence of estrogen. You could experience this if your ovaries are absent. The absence of estrogen can cause vaginal dryness [3] and irritation.
It is important to talk to your doctor before undergoing hormone therapy [4], to know if it’s needed.
You can use topical creams or lubricants to ease the pain. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have. It is important to have frequent tests to help maintain vaginal health.
Early detection of signs is important to get effective treatment. You are going to explain the color, texture, smell, and amount of discharge. Avoid douching before your appointment with the doctor, it makes testing difficult. Some doctors will advise you to not have sex during the 24 to 48 hours before your appointment.
It’s important to see your doctor before you use over-the-counter drugs, even if you’re sure about what you have.
Doctors treat noninfectious vaginitis by targeting the assumed cause. Be careful with products that are sensitive to your skin. If you experience hormonal changes, your doctor will recommend estrogen [5] to ease symptoms.
Conclusion
It is important to get regularly checked by a doctor. If you notice any signs, report immediately to your gynaecologist.
References
[1] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4696-trichomoniasis
[2] https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/genital/index.html
[3] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginal-dryness/
[4] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372
[5] https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/estrogen