Gynaecologists alert women to increase in vagina infections

A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist with Military Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos, Dr. Chukwuemeka Odeigha, has warned women to desist from practices that would lead to an increase in vaginal infections

He said common habit of douche, that is, washing the vaginal with soap, detergent and antiseptic, indiscriminate use of antibiotics, certain contraceptives and condom with spermicides, wearing tight lining pants, including having multiple sexual partners among others can cause vaginal acidity, exposing women more to infections. The expert, who recently spoke with journalists at a meeting of the Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians of Nigeria (SOGON), held at the indoor hall of Pathcare Laboratories, Lagos, explained that the vagina is not a sterile tissue organ in the body as it has its own bacteria, which are normal flora, adding that the presence of these bacteria does not indicate infection as they only serve to protect the tissue from harmful pathogens.

Speaking further, the expert noted that contrary to what many women think, douching does not make the vagina clean; it rather destroys the normal flora of the vagina, thereby doing more harm than good. He added that every woman has normal vaginal discharge, which is expected to be clear, scanty, odourless and not associated with itching.

Odeigha explained, “But the implication is that while trying to wash the vagina off its discharge, the normal bacteria-lactobacillus are wiped off, saying once the bacteria- lactobacillus are off, the acidity increases and the pH of the vagina is reduced and becomes suitable for other organisms to thrive.

He, however, encouraged women to visit the hospital once they have itching for proper diagnosis, adding that it will assist medical experts to know which type of infection they have before treating it.Recommending Klovinal for the treatment of vaginal infections, Odeigha said this is because the pessary contains clotrimazole, metronidazole and lactobacillus spores, which are indicated for the treatment of vaginal infections – both fungal and bacterial, such as vulvovaginal candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and Trichomonas vaginalis.

“Klovinal is a good product as it treats the causes of vaginitis and its also able to restore the balance in the vaginal, thereby preventing further reoccurrence of the infection. So, these and many more are what Klovinal does and I have been using it for sometimes now with good results,” Odeigha said.Also speaking at the event, Area Manager of Seagreen Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pharm. Aje Akinyele, noted that Klovinal was developed to stand out among other similar products.According to him, “Before its introduction into the Nigerian market, a large number of women always complained that they aren’t well treated but Klovinal has bridged that gap. It is also safe in pregnancy”