Itching is a common subjective symptom of many skin diseases. Many women experience severe itching in the genital area at night, and washing with cold water provides some temporary relief; the hotter the water, the more comfortable it feels, but shortly after washing, the itching returns. The situation worsens when the vaginal discharge turns yellow and appears stringy or like curds, with the underwear being dirty all day and carrying an unpleasant odor, leaving one confused about the issue at hand. What could be the problem?
Traditional Chinese Medicine: “Medical Classic of the Golden Mirror – Essentials of Surgical Heart Methods – Pubic Lice Sores”: “Pubic lice sores occur at the hair roots… Itching and scratching leads to redness with purple spots.” Note: “This sore is known as ‘eight-legged insect’, which occurs at the hair roots of the pubis… The itching is unbearable, scratching breaks the skin, and purple spots may be present.”
Modern medicine believes that various unhealthy lifestyle habits contribute to a decline in physiological health, leading to gynecological infections that result in persistent female diseases, which are difficult to cure and greatly inconvenience normal life and work. If one notices itching of the vulva and an increase in abnormal-smelling discharge, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly; blindly treating it can worsen the itching and eventually result in gynecological disorders. Such disorders may lead to various gynecological infections, including cervicitis, **itis, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, etc.;
Cervicitis
1. Acute Cervicitis
Acute cervicitis is caused by injuries to the cervix due to **, miscarriage, childbirth, or diagnostic curettage, with pathogens invading the injured sites. The common pathogens include:
(1) Sexually transmitted disease pathogens such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis, primarily found in high-risk groups for sexually transmitted diseases.
(2) Endogenous pathogens like Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia coli, as well as Trichomonas, Candida, and Amoeba.
2. Chronic Cervicitis
Chronic cervicitis may result from acute cervicitis persisting or from sustained infections by similar pathogens. Poor hygiene, decreased estrogen levels, ** foreign body irritation over time, etc., can lead to chronic cervicitis. Miscarriage, childbirth, or surgical injury to the cervix may cause secondary infections without initial acute symptoms, potentially leading directly to chronic cervicitis.
**itis
1. Bacterial **itis
In healthy **, Lactobacillus producing hydrogen peroxide predominates. Bacterial **itis occurs when there is a decrease in Lactobacillus and an increase in Gardnerella and anaerobic bacteria, leading to an endogenous mixed infection.
2. Candidal **itis
(1) 80% to 90% of pathogens are Candida albicans; the acidic environment is conducive to its growth, exhibiting both yeast and hyphal forms.
(2) The patient’s ** pH is between 4.0 and 4.7, often pH < 4.5.
(3) Opportunistic pathogens (yeast form → hyphal form).
(4) Common triggers: Pregnancy, diabetes, extensive use of immunosuppressants and broad-spectrum antibiotics.
(5) Other triggers: Gastrointestinal Candida, wearing tight synthetic underwear, and obesity.
3. Trichomonas **itis
(1) Trichomonas vaginalis thrives in a humid environment with temperatures ranging from 25°C to 40°C and a pH of 5.2 to 6.6.
(2) Changes in ** pH before and after menstruation; post-menstruation it approaches neutral, allowing for Trichomonas reproduction.
(3) The patient’s ** pH generally ranges from 5.0 to 6.5, with most pH > 6.0.
(4) Parasites can reside in the **, urethra, or paraurethral glands,
