About Toilet Disease

​We have all been there, having that itch around the vaginal area, discharge or the burning sensation that comes with trying to just take a pee 😓ouch! Where is all this coming from we ask?

Then we remember that convenience we probably used at work, at the eatery, at that public place! Yep  that's it!  our minds concur,

The last time I used the toilet, it was dirty..........😭😭

I should not have sat on the toilet seat.....😭😭

What Really is Toilet Disease (Infection)? 

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Here is the shocker....

There is no such thing as "toilet disease" or "toilet infection" medically.This is because the vaginal infection which we are referring to here cannot be obtained from the use of the toilet-dirty or otherwise.

Lets clarify terms

By toilet disease, most women are referring to any one or a combination of the following
Bacterial vaginosis- this is due to a change in the "good bacteria" that is normally found in the vagina. This can be caused by douching, use of IUD (or coil), sexual activity (particularly new or multiple sexual partners) pregnancy , excessive use (or misuse)of antibiotics. This allows the bad bacteria to take over the vagina, leading to infection. You cannot get bacterial vaginosis from toilets, swimming pools or bedding.

Yeast infections . There are normal (yeast cells )around the vaginal area , however a disturbance of their environment can lead to an overgrowth of the yeast cells leading to infection.Causes include use of antibiotics, antiseptics, diabetes, pregnancy,hormones.Steroid use can also lead to yeast infections ( oral or topical as in triple action creams and tube creams)

Trichomoniasis - caused by a parasite and is sexually transmitted.

Vaginal Atrophy (Atrophic vaginitis)-thinning and dryness of the vaginal walls due to menopause

Signs that you may have a vaginal infection

• Itching
• Burning
• Abnormal discharge(there is normal vaginal discharge) whitish gray, thick vaginal discharge, watery
• Painful intercourse
• Soreness
• Rash
• Pain on passing urine

Habits that cause vaginal Infection

• Vaginal douching
• Genital cleansing procedure washing from back-to-front instead of front-to-back
• Use of perfumes and other feminine hygiene products
• Vaginal tightening cream and soap
• Detergents
• Tight clothing, wet/damp underwear
• Abuse of antibiotics

Treatment

In mild cases, just changing the bad habits is sufficient to stop the symptoms

However, one may need to pay a visit to the doctor for an examination and possibly a vaginal swab test which would help determine the exact cause the vaginal infection and institute necessary treatment.

Prevention

• Judicious use of antibiotics
• Washing the vaginal area with water only. No soap, medicated or otherwise.No  antiseptics in bath water, intimate washes/douching
• Wear cotton underwear or breathable fabrics, no nylon underwear
• No perfumes or sprays around the intimate area
• Do not use tissue, cloth during monthly periods, change pads or tampons frequently (discontinue tampons totally if they scratch or irritate you)
• Do not use harsh detergents or soaps on your underwear and ensure they are thoroughly rinsed before drying properly in the sun( not under a shade, preferably not in the bathroom).
• Change out of wet (or tight clothing such as leotards, swimming trunks etc) as soon as possible.

Above all, stay healthy!

Would love to hear from you!

Esther.