Vaginal health plays an important role in a woman’s overall wellbeing. However when it comes to genitalia we often treat this as a taboo topic, leaving many women in the dark in terms of appropriate treatments options.
“There are a range of common causes of vaginal issues,” says Pharmacist, Montana Grenfell from Chemist Discount Centre.
“Some of the common causes include overgrowth of certain bacteria, yeast infections such as candida albicans, antibiotics, hormonal changes, a compromised immune system, stress, use of douches, tight-fitting clothing or detergent and fabric softener—just to name a few.”
“It’s always best to speak with your local pharmacist if you’re experiencing any symptoms—they’ll be able to assist in choosing the right treatment for you.”
Based on the wide range of things that can trigger vaginal health issues, here are some of the more common issues women can experience and some treatment options to help you take care, down there.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
Have you ever experienced an unpleasant odour down there, potentially accompanied by abnormal discharge? If the answer is yes, bacterial vaginosis (a common bacterial infection) may have been the culprit. BV occurs when the different kinds of healthy bacteria in your vagina become out of balance and overgrow. It can be caused by a range of factors such as using vaginal douches, sexual intercourse, and even pregnancy. If you suspect you may have BV, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider, such as your local GP, to treat the infection.
Eczema
While most of us have likely heard of the skin condition eczema, it’s lesser known that this condition can also occur on the vulva, the opening of the anus, and the inner skin between buttocks cheeks. It can be brought on by numerous factors such as soaps and perfumes, sweating, tight clothing, friction, or even regular use of sanitary pads or liners (among many other things). Treatment options for vaginal eczema vary, but to start you can try to avoid using any potential irritants such as harsh creams or soaps that may trigger the condition. Anti-itch emollients such as E45 Cream can help provide relief, and don’t be shy to visit your doctor as the condition may need to be treated by topical steroids which they can prescribe. It’s important to note that with any genital condition you should consult your doctor first to ensure the correct diagnosis is made and rule out any other underlying issues that could potentially be at play.
Cystitis
Unfortunately all too many of us have experienced the eye watering pain brought on by a urinary tract infection (UTI). In fact, most women will experience this condition at least once in their life. Cystitis is the most common type of UTI and is caused by bacteria making its way into the urethra, causing an infection in the bladder. Once the bladder is infected it becomes painful to urine, creating a very unpleasant burning sensation. To ease the pain of cystitis, you can try urinary alkalisers such as APOHEALTH Cystitis Relief 28 x 4g Sachets, which work to provide effective relief from the burning sensation and also up your water intake. It’s important to always visit your doctor if you think you might have a UTI so they can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe any medications you might need.
Vaginal acne
Many of us have likely found a surprise pimple on our bodies before, somewhere other than the face—bacne perhaps? Did you know though, it’s completely normal to get pimples on your vagina? The vaginal area has sweat glands and hair follicles, which just like any other area of the body, can easily be prone to pimples. Vulva acne can occur independently or can be brought on from increased sweat output, tight clothing and friction. To prevent and assist with breakouts down there, keep the area clean and pH balanced. If you experience itching or pain from vaginal acne, a warm compress can help—squeeze out the towel before placing it on the irritated area and be sure to always dry the area thoroughly before dressing to prevent the growth of bacteria. While a small bump in the vaginal area may simply be vulva acne, if you’re concerned it may be something more else it’s always worth visiting your doctor to confirm. If contact dermatitis is determined to be the root cause, topical medications or antihistamines (APO-fexofenadine or Loratadine) may be recommended.
How to know when it’s time to see a doctor
According to Montana, “You should consult your doctor if you’ve never had a vaginal infection before, or if you’ve had one before but the symptoms are different this time. If your symptoms don’t get better with over-the-counter medication, or you believe you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease, it’s also important you consult your healthcare provider.”
“Other reasons I would recommend visiting a doctor include a change in vaginal discharge such as yellow or bloody discharge, or discharge with a foul odour. If you have any issues urinating or need to urinate more than usual, or if you are experiencing other symptoms such as vomiting, fever, or low back and stomach pain, then visit your healthcare provider as soon as possible,” said Montana.
So while vaginal health issues are far from ideal, with the appropriate treatment and professional medical advice, you’ll be well equipped to take care down there.
