Poor personal hygiene is the major cause of vaginal infections among women, experts have asserted.
A Murang’a based gynaecologist Dr James Mwangi, who observed that vaginal infections are on the rise, says personal hygiene plays a major role in vaginal health.
Mwangi adds that among patients with virginal infections who seek medical care, the majority got infected by failing to observe basic hygienic standards.
“Most women suffer from vaginal infections due to poor personal hygiene despite having knowledge on health matters,” he said.
Women are more prone to reproductive infections compared to men because of how the female reproductive organs are naturally designed.
Mwangi said that women need to practice high levels of personal hygiene by taking baths regularly in order to promote good health.
“Women are encouraged to take a shower twice every day in order to avoid any vaginal infection that may occur because of bacteria entering their reproductive system,” he noted.
The gynaecologist stated that vaginal infection can also be contracted by having unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person.
“It is important to practice safe sex in order to prevent virginal infection and other sexually transmitted diseases,” he added.
According to Mwangi, the different signs and symptoms of vaginal infections include itching, rashes, pain during sexual intercourse, pelvic pressure and pain as well as abnormal vaginal discharge.
“A normal vaginal discharge is whitish or cream in colour. A person infected with the bacteria gets a yellowish or brownish vaginal discharge. Vaginal infection levels may cause odour in private parts, itching and rashes,” he added.
The gynaecologist advised that it is suitable for women to avoid using scented bathing soap to clean their private parts in order to avoid any infectious diseases to their sensitive body parts and also help in preventing fibroids, infertility or cervical cancer.
However, he was emphatic that if treated early, virginal infections are curable.
On her part, a local based pharmacist Florence Gitau recommended cotton type- inner-wear for women since they keep the private parts dry, hence controlling zero per cent survival for bacteria.
“A woman’s body requires extra care. It is important to clean the inner wears using non scented detergents and always hang them outside for them to dry in direct sunlight,” she explained.
The pharmacist also added that women should take caution on their diet to enable them fight internal infections.
