What is vaginitis?

Did you know that vaginitis (inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the vagina) is fairly common after menopause?

What causes vaginitis?

Vaginitis can be caused by bacterial or fungal infection, vitamin B deficiency, intestinal worms, or irritation from excessive douching. Infectious vaginitis is often caused by trichomonas, gonococci, or other sexually transmitted organisms. Tight, nonporous clothing may contribute, and the use of antibiotics can disturb your body's natural balance, creating an environment that helps infectious organisms thrive.

What is atrophic vaginitis?

Atrophic vaginitis occurs when ovaries have been surgically removed. Surgery of any kind results in adhesions (the membranes stick to each other due to inflammation) and a high susceptability to infection.

How do I know if you have atrophic vaginitis?

Common symptoms include itching or burning, painful intercourse, and a thin, watery dischange, which could be tinged with blood.

What can you do if you have vaginitis?

Many self-care approaches are known. Here are some of them.

·        Take acidophilus or multidophilus capsules or eat plain yogurt with live cultures to replenish "friendly" bacteria; you can open up to 3 capsules, dissolve in 1 qt warm water, add 6 drops of tea tree oil to use as a douche or place plain yogurt in your vagina to soothe inflammation

·        Use calendula and vitamin A suppositories to soothe and heal irritated tissues

·        Use goldenseal suppositories for all types of infections

·        Tea tree oil is effective against fungal infection and has been used as a vaginal suppository successfully

·        Take stress vitamins: vitamins B and C to enhance your immune system

·        Get out in the sun for 5 minutes 3-4 times a week at noontime; expose your face and whenever possible, your arms to get needed vitamin D to help with healing; note: dark-skinned women may need up to 30 minutes of exposure each day

·        Eat a diet that is fruit-free, sugar-free, and yeast-free until inflammation subsides

·        Keep clean and dry; wear white cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing and synthetic fabrics

·        To relieve itching: 1.  open a vitamin E capsule and apply the oil to the inflamed area. Castor oil works well, too, 2.  pour 3 cups of apple cider vinegar into bath water and soak in the tub for 20 minutes

·        Avoid taking vitamins that contain iron or taking iron tablets: infectious bacteria need iron to grow

·        Drink steam-distilled water and use it for cooking