What is vaginal acne?

We all know that the female vagina is very important because it is directly related to the female's physical health, as well as the female's fertility and daily sexual life. Therefore, every woman should protect her vagina in time and clean it when appropriate, but be careful not to destroy the normal vaginal flora. So, what exactly is vaginal acne?

Vaginitis, or inflammation of the vagina, is a group of conditions that cause vulvovaginal symptoms such as itching, burning, irritation, and abnormal discharge. The vagina of a normal healthy woman has a natural defense function against the invasion of pathogens due to the characteristics of its anatomical tissue. For example, the closure of the vaginal opening, the close contact of the anterior and posterior walls of the vagina, the proliferation of vaginal epithelial cells and the keratinization of surface cells under the influence of estrogen, and the balance of vaginal acidity and alkalinity inhibit the reproduction of alkaline-adapted pathogens. The cervical mucus is alkaline. When the natural defense function of the vagina is destroyed, pathogens can easily invade and cause vaginal inflammation.

Under normal circumstances, aerobic bacteria and anaerobic bacteria live in the vagina, forming normal vaginal flora. If the ecological balance between the vagina and the bacterial flora is disrupted for any reason, conditional pathogens may also form. Common clinical diseases include: bacterial vaginosis (accounting for 22% to 50% of symptomatic women), candidal vaginitis (17% to 39%), Trichomonas vaginitis (4% to 35%), senile vaginitis, and vaginitis in young women.

1. Bacterial vaginosis

10% to 40% of patients have no clinical symptoms. Those with symptoms mainly present with increased vaginal discharge with a fishy odor, which is especially aggravated after sexual intercourse and may be accompanied by mild vulvar itching or burning sensation. Examination showed no signs of congestion or inflammation in the vaginal mucosa. The secretions were grayish white, uniform, thin, and often adhered to the vaginal wall, which could be easily wiped off.

2. Candidal vaginitis

(1) Vulvar itching, burning pain, and pain during sexual intercourse.

(2) Frequent and painful urination. The characteristic of dysuria is that urine irritates the edematous vulva and vestibule during urination, causing pain.

(3) Characteristic secretion: white, thick, and resembling curd or bean curd residue.

(4) Vulvitis presents with geographic erythema, edema, and scratches.

(5) Vaginitis may cause edema, erythema, and white membrane.

3. Trichomonas vaginitis

(1) Characteristics of increased vaginal discharge: thin, purulent, yellow-green, foamy, and smelly.

(2) Location of vulvar itching: vaginal opening and vulva.

(3) If combined with urinary tract infection: frequent urination, urgency, pain, and sometimes hematuria.

(4) Infertility: Trichomonas vaginalis can devour sperm, hinder the production of lactic acid, and affect its survival in the vagina.

(5) Examination revealed: congestion of the vaginal mucosa with scattered bleeding spots, and a large amount of "strawberry-like" leucorrhea from the posterior fornix of the cervix, which was grayish yellow, yellowish-white thin liquid, or yellowish-green purulent secretions, often in a foamy state. There are no abnormal changes in the vaginal mucosa of carriers.

4. Senile vaginitis

Increased vaginal discharge, vulvar itching, etc., are often accompanied by pain during sexual intercourse.

5. Childhood vaginitis

The main symptoms are vaginal purulent discharge and vulvar itching.