Bacterial Vaginosis, other infections: Are they really toilet diseases? by Gurama A. Gurama
NEWS DIGEST – Toilet Infection is a misnomer for a group of conditions referred to as vaginitis which result in itching and vaginal discharge that is usually smelly.
Now, there are 3 main causes of Vaginitis, which are Bacterial Vaginosis, Candidiasis, and Trichomoniasis.
But, none of them are gotten or contacted from the toilet.
Many females often swear that their toilet disease started right after they had used a public toilet, but it usually starts long before that, and can be attributed to the vaginal practices of the owner.
I just saw someone advocating for toothpaste to be used.
Now, this is how it goes down: Your vagina has bacteria living in it already, let’s call it good bacteria or normal flora, known as lactobacilli, that’s what makes the vagina acidic, and acidic is good. At least for the vagina.
As long as these Bacteria are in charge, you are in the clear at least. There are other bacteria outside, on your skin, from your anus, on that person’s finger, on penis, dildo, face and what have you. That want to overpower the good bacteria.
It’s a War!
Remember, it is all about balance. Some people erroneously think that washing inside the vagina makes it cleaner.
Rather it kills off the good bacteria and allows the bad bacteria to grow everywhere.
The cookie begins to smell fishy. Leave the vagina alone! It knows how to do its job by itself naturally, which is an involuntary action.
It can clean itself, if you must clean, clean just the surface with running water, avoid washing inside, avoid harsh soaps and what have you.
They just make things worse, so avoid it.
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You might decide to try out a new sexual partner,
or use an intrauterine device, or abuse antibiotics anyhow.
They make it easier for you to get what I described above Known as bacterial vaginosis.
It is NOT a sexually transmitted disease. But it’s associated with sex. You dig? Especially multiple sexual partners.
Let us go to Candidiasis, the itch is usually not ignored, plus the whitish milkish discharge.
This is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus know as Candida, especially when the area is damp for long. It can also be caused by abusing antibiotics,
Pregnancy, diabetes or even HIV.
Or the same practices I outlined above. Leave the vagina alone!
The discharge from this may not always smell bad, the last one Trichomoniasis is sexually transmitted. Yes, you don’t get it from the toilet.
Can also be spread by Oral sex or anal sex. The discharge is smelly too, bad. Watery, and associated with Itching Gives off a discharge and foul smell.
How do you prevent all of these. Avoid multiple sexual partners, always test your sexual partner and yourself for STIs.
Wear dry cotton panties, strings should not be worn for long periods.
Avoid douching, stop abusing antibiotics, use condoms, don’t share sex toys and others.
The toilet however can cause UTI in some ladies, it’s different from a vaginal infection.
Sometimes the backsplash of water in the toilet bowl to you when doing the number 2 or when cleaning can infect your urinary tract and lead to a UTI.
If you have a vaginal discharge, do not just rush to the drug store and start abusing drugs, see a pharmacist/doctor to rule out other causes.
I think I should point out here that poorly treated pelvic infections can affect fertility in the future, make sure you get proper treatment.
Gurama is a Biotechnologist, and an Assistant Lecturer. He writes from Faculty of Pharmacy, Gombe state University.
