Vaginal health is many times overlooked or dismissed, but this is an important part of a woman’s overall health as any other.
Vaginal health, just as issues can cause stress and discomfort to a woman, and this is not even about the negative impact they can have on the self-confidence or the relationships of the affected woman, but they can also have quite severe consequences such as infertility or even lead to life-threatening complications.
What’s Normal And What’s Not
Firstly, some anatomical facts: The vulva is the exterior opening of the vagina while the vagina is the internal muscular canal that extends from the vulva (the external genitalia of women) to the neck of the uterus (cervix). So, let’s see in which ways and by which factors can the health of the vagina be affected:
- The monthly period
It is normal to have monthly periods, it is normal not to have periods during pregnancy and even for a short while afterwards, and it is also normal to have irregular periods when the menopause begins. When the characteristics of the period change, such as the amount, duration, the days between periods or even the level of discomfort during those days, these are all warning signs that something may not be quite alright. Bleeding between periods, after or during intercourse or after you have entered menopause are also indicators that there is something wrong and that you should be consulted by a medical specialist.
- Vaginal discharge
This is a topic that is taboo in women’s health, yet necessary. It is, however, a perfectly natural and normal phenomenon. Actually, that is the way a healthy vagina cleans itself and maintains a normal pH. Any changes to it, such as the colour, the texture, the smell or the amount are usually triggered by other underlying conditions. These types of changes are not normal for a healthy vagina and show that there is at least an unbalanced vaginal flora, which should be checked out and addressed. - Vaginal dryness
Even though vaginal dryness sounds like a problem (and there are situations when it is), there are also several conditions when this is a normal consequence and should not be a reason to worry. First of all, there are certain women who, physiologically, do not produce enough natural lubrication. Second, usually after childbirth and during lactation, women tend to experience vaginal dryness because of the hormonal changes, but this is a temporary situation. And, finally, after the menopause, also because of hormonal changes, women start to complain about this issue, even though it didn’t use to be a problem before. In all these three conditions, vaginal dryness is nothing but a natural phenomenon and using a bit of lubrication when engaging in sexual activities can solve the problem instantly. - Vaginal irritation, itching or pain
Irritation, itching and pain are never good signs, regardless of the body area where they occur. Even if these symptoms only happen during intercourse, they are still reasons to worry about your vaginal health and more than enough reasons to undergo some investigations and find out the underlying cause. - Feelings of pressure or any lumps or masses in the vagina
Needless to say that any strange feeling in the pelvic area, or any lump or bulk that you feel in your vagina could be the result of serious health conditions and that anyone experiencing such issues should look for medical attention immediately.
The Most Common Causes For Vaginal Health Issues
- Vaginal infections
The most common vaginal infection is the yeast infection, closely followed by either fungal or bacterial infections. The most common symptom of a vaginal infection is a change in the vaginal discharge. The mistake many women do is trying to fix the problem by using all sorts of feminine hygiene products or intimate scented sprays. These solutions are only temporary, but apart from this, the real problem is that if these infections are left untreated, they can lead to even more serious problems, such as infertility and more. - Underlying health conditions
There are certain health conditions that can affect the overall wellness and health of the vagina. Pelvis inflammation or vaginal cysts can cause painful intercourse and conditions such as endometriosis and vaginal cancer, although it is rare, can cause, apart from vaginal pain, abnormal bleeding between periods or even after the menopause. Usually, treating these conditions solves the vaginal problems as well. - Unprotected sex
Having unprotected sex can put anybody to great risks, especially if we are talking about multiple partners or about partners whose complete medical history is unknown. Not using a condom poses a great risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection such as genital warts, Chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis, to name some of the treatable ones, but also infections such as genital herpes or even HIV, that currently have no cure. These infections usually lead to very unpleasant symptoms, such as vaginal sores, pelvic pain and abnormal vaginal discharges, but they can also lead to infertility and even debilitating or life-threatening situations.
