Vaginal disease
A vaginal disease is a pathological condition that affects part or all of the vagina.
Types
Sexually transmitted infections
- Herpes genitalis. The herpes simplex virus (HSV) can infect the vulva, vagina, and cervix, and this may result in small, painful, recurring blisters and ulcers.[1] It is also common for there to be an absence of any noticeable symptoms.[1]
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Trichomoniasis
- Human papillomavirus (HPV), which may cause genital warts.[1]
Because of STIs, health authorities and other health outlets recommend safe sex practices when engaging in sexual activity.[2][3]
Other infectious diseases
- Candidal vulvovaginitis
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV) associated with the Gardnerella, formerly called "nonspecific vaginitis"
Vaginismus
Obstruction
A vaginal obstruction is often caused by an
Hypoplasia
Vaginal hypoplasia is the underdevelopment or incomplete development of the vagina. Vaginal hypoplasia can vary in severity from being smaller than normal to being completely absent. The absence of a vagina is a result of vaginal
Lumps
The presence of unusual lumps in the wall or base of the vagina is always abnormal. The most common of these is
Persistent genital arousal disorder
Persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD), which results in a spontaneous, persistent, and uncontrollable genital arousal, with or without orgasm, unrelated to any feelings of sexual desire.[7][8][9] Because PGAD is relatively rare and, as its own concept apart from clitoral priapism (a rare, potentially painful medical condition in which, for an unusually extended period of time, the erect clitoris does not return to its relaxed state), has only been researched since 2001, there is little research into what may cure or remedy the disorder.[9] In some recorded cases, PGAD was caused by, or caused, a pelvic arterial-venous malformation with arterial branches to the clitoris; surgical treatment was effective in these cases.[10]
Other
- Vulvodynia
- Vaginal prolapse may result in the case of weakened pelvic muscles, which is a common result of childbirth; in the case of this prolapse, the rectum, uterus, or bladder pushes on the vagina, and severe cases result in the vagina protruding out of the body.[1] Kegel exercises have been used to strengthen the pelvic floor, and may help prevent or remedy vaginal prolapse.[1][11]
- Pap smear screening and HPV vaccines)
- Vaginal cancer is very rare, but its symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding or vaginal discharge.[1]
- Air embolism is a potentially fatal condition where an air bubble travels throughout the bloodstream and can obstruct a vessel. It can result if air is blown into a pregnant woman's vagina during cunnilingus; this is because pregnant women have an increased vascularity of the vagina and uterus, and an air embolism can force air into the uterine veins.[12]
Symptoms
Discharge
Most vaginal discharges occur due to normal bodily functions, such as menstruation or sexual arousal (vaginal lubrication). Abnormal discharges, however, can indicate disease. Normal vaginal discharges include blood or menses (from the uterus), the most common, and clear fluid either as a result of sexual arousal or secretions from the cervix. Other non-infective causes include dermatitis. Non-sexually transmitted discharges occur from bacterial vaginosis, aerobic vaginitis[13] and thrush or candidiasis. The final group of discharges include the sexually transmitted diseases gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. The discharge from thrush is slightly pungent and white, that from trichomoniasis more foul and greenish, and that from foreign bodies resembling the discharge of gonorrhea, greyish or yellow and purulent (pus-like).[14]
Sores
All sores involve a breakdown in the walls of the fine membrane of the vaginal wall. The most common of these are abrasions and small ulcers caused by trauma. While these can be inflicted during rape most are actually caused by excessive rubbing from clothing or improper insertion of a sanitary tampon. The typical ulcer or sore caused by syphilis is painless with raised edges. These are often undetected because they occur mostly inside the vagina. The sores of herpes which occur with vesicles are extremely tender and may cause such swelling that passing urine is difficult. In the developing world, a group of parasitic diseases also cause vaginal ulceration, such as leishmaniasis, but these are rarely encountered in the west. All of the aforementioned local vulvovaginal diseases are easily treated. Often, only shame prevents patients from presenting for treatment.[15]
Inflammation
Vaginitis an inflammation of the vagina, such as caused by infection, hormone disturbance and irritation/allergy.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "The Vagina (Human Anatomy)". WebMD. Retrieved April 27, 2014.
- ISBN 978-0-495-39192-0. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-4496-8375-7. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ Farlex dictionary > hydrometrocolpos, citing: Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. Copyright 2007
- ^ "Bartholin cyst". Mayo Clinic.com. 19 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3 May 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2011.
- PMID 3380510.
- ISBN 978-1-4557-7316-9. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
- ISBN 978-1-4051-7872-3. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-118-35129-1. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
- ^ Goldstein, Irwin (1 March 2004). "Persistent Sexual Arousal Syndrome". Boston University Medical Campus Institute for Sexual Medicine. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
- PMID 22161382.
- ISBN 978-1-111-84189-8. Retrieved June 9, 2014.
- S2CID 8304009.
- PMID 18048541.
- PMID 9880287.