Burning, itching, odor, discharge, and a sense of urinary urgency & frequency, are some of the symptoms that can accompany altered vaginal micro-flora patterns. However, these conditions are not easily diagnosed, so it’s best to consult with a vulvovaginal specialist for treatment. But what are the best questions to ask your physician about altered vaginal micro-flora patterns?
Here are 5 important questions to ask your specialist:
1. What are altered vaginal micro-flora patterns? The bacterial flora in the vagina is a complex mix of bacterial species, which is normally dominated by the lactobacilli or good bacteria. However, there are conditions that can disrupt this delicate balance, and lead to the proliferation of the 30+ more harmful bacteria. This shift in the healthy state of the vaginal flora is referred to as an altered vaginal micro-flora pattern.
1. What causes altered vaginal micro-flora patterns? The condition may be due to several factors, referred to as vaginal insults. These include the use of antibiotics, low estrogen, foreign body presence, occasionally the use of combinational hormonal birth control, excessive douching, and history of chemotherapy or pelvic radiation therapy.
1. Are recurrent yeast bacterial infections a sign of changes in the vaginal microflora? Bacterial and yeast infections are often an indication that there is a problem with the vaginal ecosystem. However, the underlying cause must be treated, in order to gain long lasting relief. Treatment with antibiotic will often result in transient response just to be followed by relaps within 2-4 weeks. Also the antibiotic will just perpetuate the problem by killing the bad and the good bacterial strains. Treatment with various antifungals are just bandaide therapy.
1. How is the condition diagnosed? Alterations in the vaginal micro-flora are best diagnosed with a vaginal fluid analysis (VFA) test, which is offered at Fowler GYN International (FGI). This involves an evaluation of the quality and quantity of the vaginal constituents, to determine if there are variations from the normal vagina micro-flora.
1. What is the most effective way to treat altered micro-flora patterns? Vaginal rejuvenate therapy is the technique used by FGI to restore balance to the vaginal ecosystem. This consists of vaginal medications that act as fertilizer for the cells lining the vagina that contain the nutrients needsd by the good bacteria known as lactobacilli to proliferate.
Fowler GYN International of Phoenix, AZ, offers top vaginal health care and can answer all your questions about altered vaginal micro-flora. Call 480-420-4001 today, and schedule an appointment with expert gynecologist Dr. R. Stuart Fowler.