It is estimated that per year, around 21 million women are affected by vaginitis in the US. Vaginitis is the infection and inflammation of the vagina, which can result in discomfort, frustration, and significant emotional distress. Even though this condition can be treated, there is a high recurrence of vaginitis, and lifestyle factors play a crucial role in this. Therefore, it is important to know how lifestyle choices can affect vaginal health to enable individuals with vaginas (including cisgender women, transgender, and non-binary people) to take proactive steps to prevent recurrences. This article examines how everyday habits and the risk of vaginitis are related and provides helpful tips for ending the cycle of recurring vaginitis.
What is Vaginitis?
Vaginitis is the soreness and swelling around the vagina due to the inflammation or infection of the vagina. It can be classified into different types:
Bacterial Vaginosis: It is the most common type, caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria (e.g. Gardnerella vaginalis) that disrupt the natural balance of beneficial bacteria like Lactobacilli.
Yeast Infections: These are caused by the overgrowth of Candida, a type of fungus naturally present in the vagina.
Trichomoniasis: It is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the parasite known as Trichomonas vaginalis.
Atrophic Vaginitis: This type commonly occurs in postmenopausal individuals due to a decrease in estrogen levels post-menopause.
The Role of the Vaginal Microbiome
Consider the vaginal microbiome as a group of beneficial bacteria that are always working to maintain the health of your vagina. These good bacteria, Lactobacilli, produce lactic acid, which acts as a barrier to maintain the vaginal environment slightly acidic, making it difficult for harmful bacteria and yeast to grow. However, preventing vaginitis requires maintaining this delicate balance because if this normal bacterial equilibrium changes, it can lead to infections.
Lifestyle Factors Contributing to Vaginitis
Making little but significant lifestyle adjustments is the first step in preventing vaginitis. You may take proactive measures to safeguard your vaginal health and avoid repeated infections by addressing factors like hygiene habits, diet, stress management, sexual health, and hormone variations.
Hygiene Practices
Although maintaining cleanliness is crucial, several typical hygiene habits may be more harmful to vaginal health than beneficial. Some of these include:
Douching: While it may seem that douching "cleans" the vagina, research has shown that it may upset the vagina's natural bacterial balance, eliminating good Lactobacilli and causing vaginitis more likely.
Harsh Soaps and Scented Products: Products such as scented bubble baths, wipes, and sprays can cause irritation and pH imbalance to the sensitive vaginal lining. Similarly, using strong soaps might remove your vagina's natural protective moisture. Since the vagina naturally cleans itself, it is preferable to avoid overwashing and limit external cleaning to warm water or mild, unscented cleansers.
Other Habits: After using the washroom, habits like wiping from back to front might increase the risk of vaginitis. This is because wiping in this way can transfer harmful bacteria from the rectal region to the vaginal area. Another adverse practice is wearing tight underwear, especially made of non-breathable fabrics, which can provide a warm and moist atmosphere that promotes the growth of bacteria or yeast. Instead, use cotton underwear that breathes well to keep the vaginal area pleasant and dry. Additionally, avoid regular use of panty liners as they can irritate the vulva and cause inflammation of the vulva and vagina.
Diet
According to research, women who had better eating habits overall, consuming more fruits, vegetables, and dairy products while consuming fewer sweets, had lowered incidents of vaginitis. While foods strong in probiotics, such as yoghurt and fermented items, help replace healthy bacteria, a diet heavy in sugar might encourage the proliferation of yeast. The microbiota is also nourished by prebiotic foods like garlic and bananas, and maintaining proper hydration promotes the health of mucous membranes, particularly those in the vaginal region. By including these food choices, you can support a healthy balance of bacteria and strengthen your body's defenses.
Unprotected Sexual Activity
Another significant risk factor is sexual activity. This is because semen is alkaline, and therefore unprotected intercourse can change the pH of the vagina and introduce new bacteria. Microtears can also result from improper lubrication during sexual activity, making the vaginal tissues more likely to infection. This risk can be reduced by using condoms, making sure the area is properly lubricated, and maintaining adequate post-intercourse hygiene, like urinating afterwards.
Mental Well-Being
Despite being frequently disregarded, stress and sleep have an impact on vaginal health as well. While inadequate sleep throws off the body's chemical balance, long-term stress impairs immunity, leaving the body more vulnerable to diseases. Therefore, maintaining a regular sleep pattern and giving priority to relaxation methods like meditation could help you keep your microbiome healthy and your immune system strong.
Physical Activity
Vaginitis may be associated with a sedentary lifestyle by reducing immunity, making it more difficult for the body to fight off infections. Studies have shown that individuals who lead more active lifestyles with regular physical activity have better general health and are able to avoid obesity, thereby reducing the likelihood of vaginitis.
Smoking
Recurrent vaginitis is more common in individuals who smoke. Smoking may upset the vagina's delicate balance of beneficial bacteria and foster an environment that can support the growth of harmful bacteria.
Hormonal Changes
The vaginal environment can also be changed by hormonal changes that occur at different phases of life, such as menopause, pregnancy, and the use of contraceptives. Menopause, for instance, causes a decrease in estrogen, which can lower Lactobacilli and weaken the vaginal tissues, making the area more vulnerable to infections. Therefore, following individualized remedies in these situations, such as hormone therapy or vaginal moisturizers, with the help of a healthcare professional might be helpful.
Socioeconomic Aspects
A study by researchers at the Tehran University of Medical Sciences found the role of lack of educational awareness regarding vaginitis as a crucial risk factor. Higher socioeconomic class individuals frequently have easier access to knowledge regarding infection prevention, which might assist them in staying clear of vaginitis. The study assessed how a health-promoting educational intervention affected the lifestyle choices of vaginitis-affected reproductive-aged women and discovered that the intervention greatly enhanced their mental, physical, and nutritional habits. There were fewer vaginitis recurrences among the women in the intervention group because they improved their dietary habits, increased their physical activity, and learned how to effectively manage stress. These results highlight how crucial lifestyle changes are in lowering the risk and recurrence of vaginitis.
When to Get Medical Assistance
Although following the above-mentioned lifestyle choices and at-home treatment can typically be effective for minor episodes of vaginitis, there are some circumstances in which expert medical assistance is required. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare professional if you have severe or ongoing symptoms, such as odd discharge with a strong odor, extreme itching, pelvic pain, or difficulty when urinating. Symptoms like these could point to a more serious underlying condition that needs specialized care. It is also equally critical to be aware of your body's cues. By identifying the early signs of vaginitis, such as unusual discharge, itching, or pain, you may take quick action to prevent the condition from getting worse. Your risks of recurrence can be considerably reduced by regularly putting these prevention strategies into practice.
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