Colpitis.

Colpitis (synonym: vaginitis ) is an inflammatory disease of the vagina caused by infectious agents. Do not confuse colpitis and bacterial vaginosis , which also cause infections, but no inflammatory processes are observed.

Colpitis is specific (caused by pathogenic microorganisms: Candida fungus, viruses, mycoplasmas, ureoplasmas, chlamydia, Trichomonas, gonococci) or nonspecific (caused by conditionally pathogenic microorganisms).

The causes of colpitis are in direct proportion to a number of factors:

Violation of genital hygiene,
Frequent change of sexual partner,
Not using a condom,
Genital trauma from tamponing or careless intercourse,
The period of pregnancy or menstruation, when the genitals are more vulnerable,
Hormonal changes,
Vaginal dysbiosis,
Genital surgery, radiation, chemotherapy,
Reduced immune reaction,
Generalized infections that provoke the ingress of infectious agents with blood or lymph flow into the vaginal area,
Hypovitaminosis,
Abortions and related injuries.

Colpitis signs:

Itching and / or burning in the vaginal area,
Aching or pulling pains in the vaginal area,
There may be vaginal discharge of different consistency (mucous, curdled, foamy, purulent),
Foul vaginal odor,
Edema and hyperemia (redness) of the vaginal mucosa,
Painful sensations during intercourse,
Temperature rise possible.

The acute course of colpitis is determined by the pronounced severity of the above symptoms, while the chronicity of the inflammatory process with colpitis mutes the symptoms and the disease proceeds unnoticed. The only symptom that may attract attention is an itchy or burning sensation in the vaginal area.

For accurate diagnosis and selection of the correct treatment tactics, it is necessary to conduct a bacterial analysis of the vaginal microflora and determine the degree of sensitivity of the detected microorganisms to antimicrobial drugs.

Colpitis treatment is based on the use of antimicrobial drugs, depending on the identified infectious agent:

For bacterial infection, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used,
With a fungal infection, antifungal agents are prescribed,
When detecting protozoal microorganisms, antiprotozoal drugs are used,
A viral infection of the genitals is treated with immunostimulants, or with specific drugs produced to treat a specific viral infection.

In order to improve the access of the drug to the site of infection, it is advisable to use drugs produced in the form of vaginal suppositories. Along with the use of antibacterial therapy, it is possible to use bacteriophage solutions produced for a specific type of bacteria. There are rules for the use of a bacteriophage in gynecological diseases . A good effect is given by douching with soda solutions and baths with the addition of antiseptic agents (potassium permanganate, furacilin, boric acid, propolis, iodine oxide, "tantum rose") and herbal preparations.

A prerequisite for the successful treatment of colpitis is the therapy of diseases that gave impetus to the development of inflammation in the vagina. It is necessary to control endocrine changes in the body, treat chronic infections, carry out hygienic measures of the genitals as often as possible, check the partner for genital infections, and refrain from sexual intercourse during treatment.

Incorrectly and not thoroughly treated colpitis can result in complications in the form of diseases of the urinary system (cystitis, urethritis ) and involve the uterus in the inflammatory process (cervical erosion, endometritis, adnexitis ).