Bartholinitis is a disease that affects the large bartholin gland in anticipation of the vagina of women.
Most often, it is one-sided (it affects only one of the glands).
Consider in more detail the symptoms of inflammation of the Bartholin gland and methods of treating this ailment.
Causes of Bartholin Gland Inflammation
Bartholinitis can develop for the following reasons:
1. Contact with sexually transmitted infections through unprotected contact. Usually these are chlamydia or trichomoniasis. Less commonly, bartholinitis causes bacteria such as streptococcus, candida, or staphylococcus.
2. The ingestion of pathogenic bacteria on the bartholin gland with urethritis or colpitis.
3. Non-observance of the basics of personal hygiene of the genitals. Moreover, if you do not wash yourself in time during menstruation, then the risk of developing bartholinitis increases significantly.
4. Various minor injuries of the genitals (usually this happens during intercourse, which is not sufficiently moistened). At the same time, small cracks form in the tissues of a woman. They can easily get an infection.
5. Using too tight underwear or panties made of synthetic fabrics can rub your genitals and crush them. In this state, blood circulation is disturbed in the bartholin gland, so pathogens, fungi, bacteria, etc., can more easily get into it.
6. Lack of a permanent sexual partner and promiscuous sexual life (unprotected sexual intercourse) can also increase the risk of catching an infection that provokes bartholinitis.
7. The presence of acute inflammatory processes in the body that are not treated (for example, caries). In this case, pathogenic bacteria enter the gland through the blood or lymph.
8. Various malfunctions in the hormonal system.
9. Strong hypothermia.
10. An acute shortage of beneficial vitamin and trace elements.
11. Reduced immunity, due to which a person becomes more susceptible to various diseases of the reproductive system.
12. Recently performed abortion and other surgical interventions in the female reproductive system, during which there were violations of the basis of sterility.
Bartholin gland inflammation: symptoms and signs
Bartholinitis is acute and chronic. Each of these forms of course is accompanied by its own symptoms.
Acute inflammation of the bartholin gland has the following flow characteristics and symptoms:
1. A woman's body temperature rises sharply. She feels a headache, weakness, malaise, and burning in the genitals.
2. After a couple of days, sharp pains appear in the lower abdomen and tingling when urinating.
3. Frequent urination, even if the bladder is empty.
4. The appearance of lower back pain due to impaired renal function.
5. The appearance of vaginal discharge, which may have a mucous or purulent structure.
6. Pain during palpation of the external genital organs and their edema.
7. Redness of the vagina.
8. Discomfort in the perineum.
9. The appearance of a seal at the base of the labia majora. In this case, the seal itself can be of different sizes, depending on the degree of neglect of the disease.
10. The appearance of purulent discharge from the seal.
Chronic bartholinitis usually has less severe symptoms. In this case, a woman can only feel periodically manifested pain in the labia, their redness and pain during intercourse.
Also, when walking, discomfort will be felt.
Bartholin gland inflammation: diagnosis and treatment
When the first symptoms of inflammation appear, a woman needs to consult a gynecologist. To identify the disease, the patient will be prescribed the following diagnostic methods:
1. Examination by a gynecologist.
2. The study of secretion from the Bartholin gland.
3. A smear from the vagina to identify bacteria.
Treatment of bartholinitis is selected based on the form of the pathology and symptoms of the patient. Traditional therapy involves the following:
1. The appointment of antipyretic drugs from high temperature.
2. The appointment of pain analgesics.
3. Applying ointments Levomekol and Vishnevsky to the inflamed gland. On top of the medicine should be fixed with a sterile bandage bandage.
4. Wipe the inflamed gland with antimicrobial solutions (Miramistin, Chlorhexin).
5. Conducting physiotherapeutic treatment (UHF therapy, magnetotherapy).
6. When bacteria are detected, antibiotics are prescribed to the patient (Ceftriaxone, Azithromycin, Trichopolum). You need to take them for at least ten days.
7. With edema and inflammation, anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen) are prescribed.
8. With purulent bartholinitis, it is necessary to open the purulent focus and eliminate its contents. Next, the wound is treated with peroxide, and drainage is installed in the gland to eliminate pus residues.
This drainage tube must be in the gland for six days.
9. During the treatment period, the patient should refrain from sexual intercourse and apply cold compresses to the inflamed area.
10. In the chronic form of the disease, woman is prescribed sedentary baths. Surgical removal of the purulent capsule may also be practiced. Such an operation is done when the patient suffers from frequent exacerbations of bartholinitis.
11. Vitamins are prescribed to increase immunity.
Bartholin gland inflammation: treatment, complications, prevention
If untreated, the patient may develop such complications of bartholinitis:
1. The transition of the disease into a chronic form.
2. The formation of a cyst - a tumor, which will collect pus. It requires surgical removal.
3. The formation of fistulas - channels through which pus will exit. Such fistulas can be located on the skin or in neighboring organs. They are very dangerous, since they are open wounds through which infection can enter. Moreover, fistulas are difficult to treat and often lead to repeated progression of the pathology.
4. The appearance of chronic itching, pain and discomfort in the vaginal area. This is not only unpleasant, but also will constantly interfere with a woman, especially when she will be in public places.
5. The development of a disease such as vulvitis. In this case, the woman's labia, lower part of the vagina and clitoris become inflamed. This pathology appears due to infection from the focus of inflammation in the vagina.
6. Severe inflammation of the fallopian tubes over time can lead to infertility.
7. Cystitis and urethritis can develop as a complication from untreated bartholinitis.
8. Acute inflammation of the kidneys and impaired function.
9. Adnexitis.
10. Violation of the general menstrual cycle of the patient.
11. Changes in the composition of urine.
12. Colpitis.
In more severe cases, untreated bartholinitis can lead to heart failure, a sharp drop in patient pressure, sepsis and shock.
In order to prevent the development of bartholinitis, women need to adhere to the following doctor's recommendations:
1. Carefully observe genital hygiene after each bowel movement and before bedtime. At the same time, it is advisable to wash yourself with liquid soap based on herbs or with gel with lactic acid. It will create a favorable environment in the genitals.
2. It is important to have a permanent sexual partner. In case of accidental sexual intercourse, you should always use a condom.
3. You should pay attention to the appearance of unpleasant symptoms of bartholinitis and consult a gynecologist as soon as possible.
4. As a prophylaxis of diseases of the genital organs, every six months you need to undergo a checkup and examination by a gynecologist.
5. Women are recommended to wear underwear only from natural materials (cotton). It will not soar, and cause irritation of the tender flesh. Also, linen should not be too tight so as not to disturb the blood circulation.
6. It is important to timely treat all inflammatory processes in the body that can lead to inflammation of the bartholin gland.
7. During menstruation, you need to wash yourself at least three times a day with boiled water. Also at this time you need to refrain from sexual intercourse.
8. Women need to change daily thin pads every 3-4 hours, otherwise dangerous bacteria begin to collect and multiply in them. As for the pads for menstruation, they need to be changed every 2-3 hours.
