Trichomonas vaginitis is a protozoan or one-celled parasite that can reside in the vagina, the cervix, or in the male's lower genital tract. If you study it under a microscope, the protozoan appears like a cell shaped as a teardrop with a tail. Women suffering from trichomonas usually have accompanying discharge or irritation.

Sometimes the cervix may become inflamed, causing bleeding after intercourse or at the time a Pap smear is taken. In exceptional cases, discomfort with urination will occur. In most cases bacterial vaginosis coexists with this infection, since the Trichomonas protozoan is creating an alkaline pH in the vagina that encourages the growth of the "bad" bacteria.

In such cases, the woman may also notice a fishy odor, especially after sexual intercourse. Fortunately, Trichomonas has no significant medical risks. It doesn't go up into the uterus or fallopian tubes or any other part of the body.  It is nothing but an uncomfortable annoyance which can be bad enough indeed.

Symptoms of Trichomonas

Almost half of all women with trich present no symptoms and may go undiagnosed for years, even if they have had regular annual examinations.  Condoms can help protect against transmission of this trichomonas.

Causes of Trichomonas

Trichomonas vaginitis, also called "trich" (pronounced "trick"), is a sexually transmitted disease. If you believe your relationship is monogamous and have come down with Trichomonas, you may be wondering what the implications are.  While it's true that trich can live in the male genital tract, it is only able to survive for a few days or weeks at most.

But in the vagina it can be present for years, and has even been found in elderly women who have not had sex for decades. So many women may have in fact contracted the infection from a previous partner and not know it.   Nevertheless, it's important that you have an open, honest discussion with your current partner as it still remains possible that he passed on the infection to you if he was sexually involved with someone else.

Treatment Options for Trich

In most cases trichomonas is treated with an anti-protozoan antibiotic. Metronidazole, aka Flagyl, is known to be the most effective treatment and can be taken orally. In most cases a one-time dose is all you need.

To prevent passing the infection back and forth, sexual partners of women with trich should be treated simultaneously. In exceptional cases, trichomonas vaginitis may resist the ordinary doses of metronidazole.  Therefore higher doses are recommended.

by Gerd Petersen

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The best way to describe the difference between bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection is by the type of vaginal discharge they cause. In a yeast infection, the vaginal discharge is usually odorless, thick and white. The discharge in BV is gray or white, thin and milky. In most cases it has an unpleasant fishy smell.
The normal the vagina contains an abundance of protective bacteria called lactobacilli. When these "good" bacteria have been removed, we'll find an overgrowth of potentially "bad" bacteria.  They are harmful and can lead to bacterial vaginosis.

Yeast infections occur when yeast in the vagina called candida albicans, becomes unbalanced. This unbalance may be caused by bad diets and antibiotics. When this yeast or fungus becomes unbalanced, the candida will commonly multiply quickly.

Scientists have found that many women are misinterpreting their symptoms. What they often assume is a yeast infection is in fact bacterial vaginosis or BV for short. In a recent survey, 44 percent of women whom doctors diagnosed with BV had initially treated themselves for a yeast infection. These two types of vaginal infections have different causes, therefore they have different treatments.

Pay close attention to any vaginal symptom, and check with your doctor if you have any doubt between these two conditions. Here are the differences in a nutshell:

-        Bacterial vaginosis has a mean fishy odor, yeast infection has no odor.
-        Bacterial vaginosis has a white or gray thin milky discharge, yeast infection has a white and think discharge.
-        Up to half of women suffering from bacterial vaginosis are affected with itching or irritation while almost all woman with yeast infection has itching or irritation.
-        The cause of bacterial vaginosis is bacteria. The cause of yeast infection is yeast.

If you suffer from B.V and not Yeast Infection keep reading; I have good news. The good news is that it's fully possible to live everyday of your life living without nasty discharges or feeling uncomfortable because you smell bad.  It doesn't have to be this way anymore.

And of course you will get this entire break through information through someone who's been there.  The woman behind this cure has cracked the code of getting rid of BV. Her cure not only works fast but it has given a lot of women permanently bacterial vaginosis relief.

Vaginitis is a condition in women's vaginal area associated with irritation and/or inflammation of the vagina. Vaginitis is a pretty common condition affecting millions of women each year.  There are mainly three types of vaginal infections:

-       yeast infection (candida vaginitis)
-       "Trich" (trichomonas vaginitis)
-       BV (bacterial vaginosis).

Yeast Infection is also known as candidiasis. This is caused by a fungus and is the second most common type of the vaginitis disorder.

Protozoan is another type of vaginal infection and is also known as trichomoniasis.  It is considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This type of infection is the least common and adds up to 3% to 5% of all vaginitis infections.

The bacterial type of infection (also known as BV) is caused when healthy vaginal organisms are replaced by bacteria.  BV is the most common type of vaginitis.

Possible Symptoms of Vaginitis

Infections in vagina may cause a variety of symptoms, such as fishy odor, irritation, abnormal or increased discharge, painful urination, vaginal bleeding and itching, Women suffering from this condition, may have one or more of the symptoms mentioned above. If you suspect you have this condition, you should discuss it with your physician so that you can be tested.
 
Causes of Vaginitis

Vaginitis has more than one cause. Common vaginitis causes are;

-       fungal infection,
-       protozoan infection,
-       bacterial infections,
-       contact dermatitis,
-       allergic reactions

Millions of women are suffering from vaginitis and this condition alone is a main reason why women visit their physician.

How to Treat Vaginitis

There are some treatment options available that can work for your vaginitis or give bacterial vaginosis relief, but which treatment your physician will go for will depend on the cause of the infection:

-       Trichomonas infection is commonly treated with a prescribed oral antibiotic.
-       Yeast infections are treated orally or intra-vaginally with either prescription or over-the-counter antifungal medications.
-       BV infections are in most cases treated orally or intra-vaginally with prescribed medication.

Can Vaginitis be Prevented?

- It is important to keep a good hygiene especially by keeping the vaginal area clean.  Use soap with low pH value and make sure you dry the area well.

- Stay away from douching as well agents that can irritate the vaginal area, such as feminine hygiene sprays and harsh soaps. The reason you should avoid these agents is that they can disrupt the normal balance of vaginal bacteria.

- After going to the bathroom you should wipe front to back, thus prevent spreading bacteria from the rectum to the vagina.

- Practice safe sex or abstinence if possible. You should also avoid multiple sexual partners. Used the correct way and consistently, latex condoms can reduce the risk of transmission of STDs.

- Stay away from clothing that can trap moisture; tight jeans and panty hose without a cotton crotch should be avoided.

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by Gerd Petersen