According to relevant statistics, 70% of adult women in my country suffer from gynecological inflammation to varying degrees. This not only threatens women's own health but may also harm their offspring, infecting the fetus and newborn, and causing serious consequences such as miscarriage. Many women believe that gynecological inflammation is a minor ailment that can be cured with some medication or washing, but is that really the case? NetEase Health's "Expert Q&A" program invited Dr. Liang Xudong, Chief Physician of the Department of Gynecology at Peking University People's Hospital, to answer questions about gynecological inflammation.
At what age do gynecological inflammations mostly occur? Can young girls also get them?
Liang Xudong: Gynecological inflammation mostly occurs in women of childbearing age, and it is less common for young girls to get inflammation.
Will a wife's gynecological inflammation affect her husband?
Liang Xudong: A wife's gynecological inflammation can affect her husband. For example, some sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, etc., but other non-sexually transmitted diseases are not very contagious.
How harmful are gynecological inflammations to women? Can they be cured without treatment?
Liang Xudong: The main effects of gynecological inflammation on women include increased vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, fever, etc. If severe vaginitis or pelvic inflammatory disease occurs, it will not improve if left untreated.
What precautions should people with gynecological inflammation take in their daily lives?
Liang Xudong: Patients with gynecological inflammation should reduce sexual activity and avoid eating highly stimulating foods.
If I occasionally feel unwell but it gets better after a while, do I need to go to the hospital for a checkup? Or is it enough to just pay more attention to hygiene?
Liang Xudong: If it recurs frequently, you should go to the hospital for examination to see if there is any problem such as bacterial imbalance.
What types of women are more prone to gynecological inflammation? What should be done?
Liang Xudong: Women who have multiple sexual partners simultaneously or successively, or women with poor hygiene habits, are more prone to vaginal infections. Discomfort caused by these reasons should be checked or treated promptly.
What should I do about postmenopausal pelvic inflammatory disease?
Liang Xudong: If it can be diagnosed as postmenopausal pelvic inflammatory disease, then regular antibiotic treatment should be given.
How to treat pelvic inflammatory disease?
Liang Xudong: You need to go to the hospital for some examinations. If the pelvic infection is severe, you will need to receive intravenous antibiotics. If the infection is not severe, you can take oral anti-inflammatory drugs and some traditional Chinese medicine preparations.
How can I determine if my pelvic inflammatory disease is severe?
Liang Xudong: Determining the severity of pelvic inflammatory disease requires a doctor's examination at the hospital. If there is severe abdominal pain, significant tenderness in the uterus and adnexa during a gynecological examination, and purulent vaginal discharge, then it is a more severe case of pelvic inflammatory disease. A complete blood count and non-reactive protein (NRP) test should be performed to check for elevated levels.
I drove for four hours straight the other day and didn't move. When I got home, my vulva started to itch. Today, I also had a yellow discharge that looked like cottage cheese, and it was incredibly itchy. I washed it with water but it still itched. What's going on?
Liang Xudong: If you experience vulvar itching and increased vaginal discharge after riding in a car, you need to go to the hospital for an examination. They will take a sample of the discharge to check for fungal or other bacterial infections, and then prescribe appropriate vaginal medication.
So how do you treat gynecological inflammation?
Liang Xudong: It is important to distinguish which part of the gynecological inflammation is involved. For example, vaginitis can be treated with vaginal suppositories, while pelvic inflammatory disease requires oral antibiotics and traditional Chinese medicine preparations.
I'm 13 weeks pregnant, and sometimes I experience itching down there, along with some yellow discharge. What should I do?
Liang Xudong: You can also have a gynecological examination to collect some secretions to see if there is a fungal or bacterial infection.
I started bleeding again about a week after my period ended, but it wasn't much, just like when my period was almost over. It stopped after two or three days. What could be the reason for this?
Liang Xudong: If vaginal bleeding occurs after menstruation, an ultrasound and a TCT test of the cervix are needed. If it occurs about a week after menstruation ends, it is often ovulation bleeding.
What could be causing brown discharge during two menstrual periods? It happens approximately every two months.
Liang Xudong: It's mostly ovulation bleeding. If it happens repeatedly, you need to have an ultrasound and a TCT test on your cervix.
I'm three months pregnant and have an infection. How should I treat it?
Liang Xudong: If abnormal vaginal discharge occurs during pregnancy, including unusual odor, a gynecological examination is necessary.
It feels itchy inside and a bit stinging on the outside. What could this be? I bought some suppositories and a wash today, and it feels a little better after using them.
Liang Xudong: If you experience vaginal itching, you need to have a vaginal discharge sample examined to check for fungal or bacterial infections. You cannot simply treat it with medication bought from a pharmacy.
Does a pregnant woman need medication for yeast infection? Will medication in late pregnancy affect the fetus? What kind of medication is safest?
Liang Xudong: If a fungal infection occurs during pregnancy and the vulvar itching is severe, or if there is abnormal vaginal discharge, treatment is necessary. Medications such as pregnancy-safe Category B antifungal drugs, like clotrimazole, can be used. These medications are relatively safe to use in late pregnancy.
Can using tampons cause or worsen gynecological inflammation? How often should sanitary pads be changed?
Liang Xudong: We do not currently recommend using tampons, as inserted tampons can worsen vaginal infections. Sanitary napkins should generally be changed every two hours.
What impact do gynecological diseases have on men?
Liang Xudong: Gynecological diseases can also cause some urinary tract infections in men.
Which is better for washing, shower gel or soap?
Liang Xudong: Currently, shower gel is considered better than soap, but these external washing health products are not recommended for use to rinse the inside of the vagina.
What medicine is best for a strong odor?
Liang Xudong: You need to go to the hospital to check if it is bacterial vaginosis. Metronidazole can be given for treatment.
After reading this, have you gained a deeper understanding of gynecological diseases? Dr. Liang Xudong sees patients every Monday and Wednesday morning, and Friday morning at the Xizhimen branch of Peking University People's Hospital. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological tumors and benign diseases; laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery; surgery for malignant tumors and uterine prolapse; and urinary incontinence. She has also successfully treated various gynecological infections and can treat endocrine disorders (menstrual irregularities, irregular bleeding), etc. If needed, you can make an appointment online or visit the clinic to request an additional appointment.
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