When is the Time to Visit the Gynecologist?

November 11th, 2009 at 6:39 pm -

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Intensified secretion is one of the most common gynecological problems that all women at some point in their life face.

Body secretes various fluids. However, you need to know when this is normal, and when it is a change that requires a treatment. In the reproductive age all women, before or after the period, have normal, barely noticeable discharge from the sexual organ. After the period, the discharge is scant and clear, before and during the ovulation is clear and a bit intensified, and after the ovulation – a bit blurred. These changes in the appearance of the discharge are hardly noticed by a large number of women, but to those more careful and well-informed it can help in identifying the fertile days.

Vaginal discharge (fluor genitalis) is the discharge in the vagina, which exists regardless of a woman’s age. Normal discharge in the vagina of a healthy woman has various functions and the most important one is the protection of the upper parts of the genital tract from infection. Before the first period girls do not have discharge from sexual organ, and if it appears it is a consequence of poor hygiene, wearing of dirty clothes or scratching the intimate place. During the period the pH values rise and this favours the development of pathogenic bacteria. pH values rises even if it comes to the infection of the genital tract (endometritis, cervicitis, piometra) and also during some normal disorders. A long-term use of antibiotics, pregnancy, rinsing, and some foreign objects in the vagina are the conditions in which a woman is sensitive to infection. Irrational use of antibiotics and other drugs in the form of vaginaletes can destroy the vaginal flora, and thus represent the basis of natural defense against infection.

Under normal conditions vagina contains a benign Lactobacilli, which maintain its normal acidity, and in such an environment other microorganisms can not reproduce. In women throughout the adulthood estrogen hormones stimulate the proliferation of the surface layer of the vagina and thus it becomes resistant to many bacteria. When the vagina is endangered by some frequent irritations, such as frequent sexual relations (especially with multiple partners), medical interventions which hurt sexual organ, such as removing polyps, excision of suspicious tissue and the use of intravaginal cartridges or diaphragms used as a protection against pregnancy – it can be populated by different microorganisms.

Profuse and blurred discharge of unpleasant smell, followed by itching, or changes to the exterior of sexual organ indicates the inflammation that should be treated. What is first suspected is a trichomonal or fungal infection.

Trichomonal secretion is abundant, pussy and acidulous, foamy and has unpleasantly sweetish odour. Trichomonas vaginalis is a microorganism that causes inflammation of the uterus, bladder and urinary canal. It is transmitted by sexual contact, and both partners are treated.

Fungal infections are caused by candida (Candida albicans), and their development is favoured by the reducing of the acidity of the vagina. Those may occur in girls and older women, and diabetics, pregnant women and women who take large quantities of antibiotics for a long time often suffer from these disease. The infection is followed by the whitish discharge and the feeling of tingling and itching on the exterior of the sexual organ.

Bacterial infections cause the vaginal Lactobacilli to become replaced by some groups of bacteria. Causes of bacterial vaginosis are numerous: gardnerela vaginalis, Lactobacilli, bacterioides, peptosteptococci and others.

Gardnerela vaginalis is often the cause of bacterial vaginosis. It is followed by muddy discharge, and what can be seen under a microscope are cells of the vagina in the form hank around which gardnerelas are grouped. The sexual organ may be populated by the bacteria that do not cause any interference, and then bacterial vaginosis is not followed by discharge or other symptoms. One of such is Ureaplasma Urealiticum, which attacks the internal sexual organ and causes inflammation, which can be extended to the liver. A mild form of bacterial vaginosis often has no symptoms, and 20% of pregnant women who suffer from it do not have any interference, and give birth regularly. More serious forms of this infection cause more spontaneously. Human papilloma virus, HPV, causes the appearance of coilocites – these are the cells with a bright nucleus and a little blurred discharge. Small nipples (condiloms) may appear around the vent and the vagina as well, but less frequently.

In gynecology discharge is divided into 6 groups. The first group occurs in infants and represents the dominance of Doderline’s bacilli, gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, which are very small in amount. The second group may occur in girls before puberty, and involves a larger amount of Doderline’s bacilli. The third group appears in sexually active women, so according to the amount of bacteria and fungi that are found in secretions, it is divided into IIIb, IIIc and IIId. The fourth group is characterised by the presence of bacteria gonococci that causes gonorrhea. The fifth group is caracterised by the infection of flagellated parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. In the sixth group there is a fungus Candida albicans present.

Attention should be paid to the appearance of blood in the discharge from sexual organ. Even the least bleeding that occurs before or after the period is not normal. This may be a sign of the cycle disorder, or benign and malignant diseases. Blood in the discharge from sexual organ can occur due to some infections and injuries. Namely, it is the replacement of epithelium, and then single-layer cylindrical epithelium which covers the vaginal cervix is replaced by multiple-layer resistant epithelium which covers the outer part of the vaginal cervix, and therefore the vagina is more sensitive to irritations. After the appearance of such discharge, you should visit your gynecologist, who will do the check-up and determine the treatment.

In an intimate relationship avoid the use of alkaline soaps, because using them creates the conditions for the development of pathogenic bacteria. You must use the products for intimate care that, with their acidity (pH), create a dam to the infections of genital tract.