Vaginitis

Forty percent of all types of vaginitis are caused by candida, a yeast-like fungus. When it multiplies in the vaginal tract, the disorder is called vulvovaginitis. Women often refer to it as a "yeast infection." About 75 percent of women get candida vaginitis at some time in their lives.

Signs and Symptoms

What Causes It?

Candida is a yeast-like fungus that grows in the vagina. When there is too much of it, it causes infection. The following increase your chance of getting a yeast infection.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your health care provider will give you a pelvic examination and swab your vagina to check for candida. You probably will also have a Pap smear. Some women have chronic yeast infections. If this happens, your provider may want to do additional tests.

Treatment Options

Treatment Plan

Usually topical treatments are started before oral medications. In the case of chronic infection, the actual dosage and length of treatment may be increased. If you have vaginitis, you should avoid excessive exertion and sweating, keep vaginal area as dry as possible, and avoid sexual relations until symptoms clear. Take showers instead of baths, use unscented soap, and always wipe from front to back after bowel movements. Wearing cotton underwear and avoiding pantyhose and tight-fitting pants can help prevent infection.

Drug Therapies

Topical and oral therapies are considered to be almost equally effective.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies may help to treat acute and chronic vaginitis.

Use only one of the following douches at one time. Do not douche during menstrual periods. For first time or acute infection try the vinegar douche or boric acid capsules. For chronic vaginitis, use the herbal combination douche. For recurrent vaginitis, use the Betadine douche. Stop douching if you are in pain or your symptoms get worse. Nutrition Herbs
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Homeopathy
Some of the most common remedies for vaginitis are listed below. Usually, the dose is 3 to 5 pellets of a 12X to 30C remedy every one to four hours until your symptoms get better. Acupuncture
Acupuncture may be helpful in improving immune function.

Following Up

To prevent recurrence of infection, take showers instead of baths, use unscented soap, and always wipe from front to back after bowel movements. Wearing cotton underwear and avoiding pantyhose and tight-fitting pants can help prevent infection.

Special Considerations

Yeast infections occur twice as often during pregnancy.

References

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Vaginitis. NMIHI. Accessed at http://www.nmihi.com/u/vaginitis.htm on April 5, 2018.

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