External genitalia in women, due to their anatomical structure, combine the internal environment of the body with the external world. So even a simple infection can lead to serious health problems.
What is Genital Area Infection?
The external genital organs consist of bags called scrotum in men, where the penis and testicles are located. In women, the labium majus (outer lips), labium minor (inner lips), clitoris, urethral opening (urethral opening, urethra opening) and the entrance of the vagina form the external genitalia.
Many infections originating from foreign organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites can develop in the external genital organs, which can also be defined as external genitalia. External genital organs in women, due to their anatomical structure, combine the internal environment of the body with the external world. So even a simple infection can lead to serious health problems. It is extremely important to treat these disorders, which can negatively affect the reproductive functions of the person and cause tissue damage. Cells in the vaginal wall carry the hormone estrogen. The stored glycogens, thanks to estrogen, first turn into sugar and then lactic acid, creating the natural, acidic pH environment of the vagina. This environment provides suitable habitat for some bacteria that are beneficial for the body.
The beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli) found in the natural flora of every healthy individual have a great importance in protecting the external genitalia and therefore the internal organs of the person. In other words, lactobacilli protect the health of the person by preventing the reproduction of other organisms capable of reproduction in an acid environment. Reduction of lactobacilli for different reasons facilitates the formation of vaginal infections. Disruption of the natural acid environment of the vagina leads to a decrease in beneficial bacteria and facilitates the formation of infection. Therefore, it is important not to use chemical products during vaginal cleaning, not to wash the inside of the vagina unless the physician recommends it, and to keep the area dry.
What are the Symptoms of External Genital Infections?
External genital tract infections in women, It causes different symptoms depending on the type and severity of the infection. The cause of the infection is also the symptoms. effective in differentiation. A small amount of vaginal discharge occurs in every healthy woman. The amount and color of this discharge, which is a normal and healthy condition; It differs during pregnancy, drug use or during the menstrual cycle. The color and odor of vaginal discharge often changes depending on the use of vaginal douches and the misuse of cleaning agents used in the bathroom. This may be due to the deterioration of the natural flora of the vagina, or it may be a sign of the presence of a different infection.
The amount and density of discharge increases especially in fungal infections. In addition to fungal infections, which are characterized by intense itching in the genital area, itching also occurs in bacterial infections. However, in bacterial infections, itching is usually accompanied by pain and a foul-smelling, brown discharge. discharge in some types of infections; It can be dense, white, greenish yellow in color. Some of the symptoms encountered in infections occurring in the external genital organs can be listed as follows:
- Burning,
- Itching,
- Redness,
- Swelling,
- Open wound,
- Discharge with a different color and odor than normal,
- Interim bleeding,
- Pain in the groin or lower abdomen,
- Bleeding, pain, pain or burning during sexual intercourse,
- Urine burning while doing,
- The need to urinate frequently,
- Wtt.
Common What are External Genital Infections?
The external genitalia, which is also defined as the vulva in women, roughly covers the visible areas when viewed from the outside. In other words, the vulva consists of the outer and inner lips of the vagina, the clitoris, the entrance of the vagina and the urethra opening.
Infection may occur in this region due to many foreign microorganisms. There are many different types of these infections, which can affect the reproductive functions of the person. Some of the common external genital infections are:
Vulvitis
Vulvitis, which is defined as the inflammation of the external genital organs (vulva), mostly the presence of infection, decrease in the amount of estrogen hormone, tight clothing, synthetic underwear, depilatory cream and vaginal caused by the use of spray. vaginal tem Systemic diseases such as not paying attention to hygiene, excessive use of detergents, diabetes, anemia, drug use and some liver diseases may also cause vulvitis. Symptoms of the disease causing inflammation include swelling, redness, itching, stinging, burning and painful sexual intercourse in the external genital organs. If left untreated, the skin in the vulva area thickens and turns white. Vulvitis, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or cancer, is treated with medication after determining the source of the disease. Condyloma, which causes warts on the cervix, anus and groin, is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). This sexually transmitted disease is also known as condyloma acuminata. In addition to vaginal and anal intercourse, it can also be transmitted by contact of the skin surface not covered by the condom to the person carrying the disease.
HPV, which can remain silent for many years after being infected, may not cause warts in every person, or wart formation can be seen in a few months or years. Condyloma, which causes light or brown bumps and stains on the skin surface, can occur individually or collectively as a whole. It causes itching and bleeding during sexual intercourse. The way to prevent HPV is to be vaccinated. Although it is not possible to completely cure HPV infection, drug use, cryotherapy and electrocauterization are used to heal warts. In some cases, surgical methods may also be used to remove the wart.
Bartholin's Abscess
In the inner part of the labium majus (outer lips), which is part of the vulva, there are bartholin glands on both sides. These glands, which provide the lubrication of the vagina during sexual intercourse, open the hymen (hymen) with thin channels. As a result of chlamydia disease, neisseria gonorrhea (gonococcus) and some infections due to E. coli bacteria carried from the breech region, as a result of trauma or surgical procedure, obstruction in the bartholin ducts occurs and these secretions cannot be released into the vagina.
As a result, the bartholin glands swell and this leads to a cystic appearance. with swelling, tenderness, redness and severe pain The treatment of bartholin's abscess that has characterized is performed with medication or surgical treatment. does not open. Mild symptoms, which occur rarely, do not cause the person to suspect the disease, so the person does not know that they are carrying the virus. HSV, which causes painful blisters in the genital area and around the anus, causes the blisters to open and turn into wounds in the following period. These sores, which heal spontaneously in two to four weeks, are painful. When symptoms first appear, they may cause complaints such as fever and headache. Even if the person does not show any symptoms, the disease is contagious.
Vaginitis
Vaginitis, which causes symptoms such as burning, itching, white, dark yellow or green odorous discharge in the external genital area and pain during sexual intercourse, is known as a vaginal infection among the public. also known. It can occur due to the presence of parasites, bacteria and fungi in the area, as well as allergens that come into contact with the area, such as pads, tampons, depilatory creams, synthetic underwear and condoms. Changes in pH that lead to a decrease in the number of lactobacilli, which are natural flora elements of the vagina, can also lead to the formation of vaginitis.
Vaginitis, which is common in diabetics, pregnant women, and those who use antibiotics and birth control pills, is mostly caused by fungus and causes a white, thick discharge. Vaginitis that develops due to fungus is treated with medication. In bacterial vaginitis, the discharge is yellow or green in color and has a foul odor. It is treated with drugs such as antibiotics, pills and suppositories. In parasitic vaginitis, the causative agent is the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis. In the presence of this sexually transmitted virus, the discharge is dark green in color and has a foul smell. Burning during urination is the most common finding. Co-treatment is also required in the type of parasite-induced vaginitis.
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