2023-08-07 08:13:06
The Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) recalls the symptoms and manifestations that differentiate candidiasis from bacterial vaginosis.
Vulvovaginal infections are more frequent during the summer because we spend more time in a wet swimsuit, among other issues.
They occur throughout the year, but more in summer. Primary care physicians must be more attentive to vulvovaginal infections in this time of bathing suits, beaches, swimming pools, rivers… And they know it.
The Spanish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SEGO) warns about the increase in these infections, reminds us of the path to reach a clearer diagnosis in the Primary care and the advice that the patient should receive for prevention.
“The first message for the Primary Care doctor is not to diagnose or treat until they are certain of the cause of that infection, because infections can have different origins and the treatment that is given must be specific for each cause. ”, points out María Jesús Cancelo, vice president of SEGO and head of Service at the Hospital de Guadalajara.
To find the pathology in a concrete way, the doctor cannot be satisfied only with what the patient tells him, he must carry out an examination and that is where he will be able to determine the origin of the infection.
Cancelo recalls that the most common vulvovaginitis are candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis, with different manifestations.
Candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis
“In a candida infection there is an important inflammatory component and the woman will complain of itching, burning, stinging, discomfort when urinating, discomfort with sexual intercourse…”. During the examination, the doctor should identify “swollen, red genitals and with the characteristic vaginal discharge like sour milk, as if they were bits of yogurt.”
When it is a bacterial vaginosis, what the woman complains about the most is “a change in vaginal discharge, a discharge with a bad smell and she may have some discomfort, but they are not as evident, acute or important as in the case of bacterial vaginosis.” thrush”. The secretion is also different, in the case of bacterial vaginosis it is “more foamy, yellowish in color to grayish, but there are no inflammatory signs either in the vagina or in the vulva.”
Regarding the possibility of confusing these pathologies with infections in the uterus or in the fallopian tubes, Cancelo rules out this error. “We are talking about infections of the lower genital tract, which are very different from those of the upper genital tract, which is pelvic inflammatory disease. In this case, there is already an affectation of internal organs and the symptoms are different: the woman is in a lot of pain, she may have a fever and there is an increase in that vaginal secretion. In addition, they are related to a different type of pathogens”.
chance of recurrence
Some people are more prone to these infections than others. The cause that is usually behind the persistence of the pathogen or the high risk of recurrence that exists in candidiasis is a low state of defenses.
“The circumstances or factors that have been related to these continuous receipts of infections are the continuous taking of antibiotics, having a disease that decreases the woman’s defenses or being subjected to treatment with oncological drugs”, highlights the vice president of SEGO .
In any case, as the summer brings together a series of factors that favor these infections, the patient must receive information about the habits that prevent the appearance of vulvovaginitis.
And it is that “the vagina must be understood as an ecosystem. There are some germs that live there in balance. The problem is when some of them overgrow and the described symptoms occur. As long as there is a balance between the germs that can be pathogenic and the lactobacilli, nothing happens ”, recalls the gynecologist.
Prevention Tips
Another key role of the physician is to warn about those summer practices -or less summer ones- that favor the appearance of vulvovaginitis.
Among the main tips, SEGO recommends keeping the vulvovaginal area dry as much as possible after bathing in a beach or pool. The chlorine or dirt in some bathing waters can affect the genital area, so they also recommend a shower after bathing to remove any excess chlorine and dirt.
Regarding intimate hygiene, they consider washing the vulvar area important, but they warn that it should always be in the external area, only with water or neutral soap, without perfume, and only on necessary occasions. Douching or douching is not recommended, as it can reduce natural defenses and alter vaginal pH.
Regarding underwear, it is recommended that it be made of cotton and not too tight, to achieve proper perspiration and dryness of the female genital area. The use of lycra or nylon fabrics is not recommended, as they do not perspire and favor greater humidity in the vulvar area.
Likewise, it is recommended to avoid the continued use of sanitary protectors (salvaslip). They also indicate the need to regularly change the compress, tampon or vaginal cup, to prevent infections and depending on the vaginal discharge you have.
Another issue that points out from the medical society is hair removal in the genital area. In the case of shaving, there is a risk of localized skin infections in the area, so it is advisable to use very clean material and not shave the entire vulvar area, leaving at least one centimeter of hair on each side to act as a protection. Remember that the hairs in this area are protectors from infections or injuries caused by rubbing with clothing, and keep the environment of the vulva and vagina protected in these circumstances.
To conclude, some good news. “There are very effective treatments: antifungals, which is what is used for candida, are very effective and are given in a single dose,” says Cancelo. loneliness valley
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