Vagina
The vagina is an elastic-muscular tubular formation and is an internal female genital organ.
The structure of the vagina
The vagina is located in the pelvic cavity. In front of it are the bladder and urethra, and behind it is the rectum. From above, the vagina covers the cervix, from below it opens with the opening of the vagina on the eve of the vagina. In virgins, the entrance to the vagina is covered by the hymen. The back and front walls of the vagina are in contact with each other, as a result of which the internal cavity of the vagina has a slit-like shape.
During intercourse, the vagina is the receiver of the penis, semen is collected in it, and during childbirth it acts as a birth canal through which, after the completion of its intrauterine development, the fetus leaves the uterine cavity to the outside.
The thickness of the walls of the vagina is 3-4 mm, and its length is from 7 to 12 cm.
The anterior, posterior and two lateral walls of the vagina are distinguished. They consist of several layers:
- The inner layer is represented by a mucous membrane that forms numerous folds.
- The middle layer is formed by smooth muscles. Most muscle bundles are longitudinally oriented, but there are also bundles with a circular arrangement. In the lower part of the vagina, the muscle bundles are tightly intertwined with the muscles of the perineum, and from above they pass directly into the uterine muscles.
- The outer (adventitial) layer consists of connective tissue fibers.
The vagina during pregnancy
During pregnancy, hormonal changes occur in a woman's body, which leads to changes in the connective and muscle tissue of the vagina. The blood supply to the vaginal walls increases, resulting in a bluish (cyanotic) hue.
During pregnancy, the vaginal epithelium thickens, and the processes of its desquamation are enhanced. This contributes to an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge.
Changes in the vagina during pregnancy also lead to a change in its microbial flora. Therefore, pregnant women often develop mycoplasma and yeast colpitis.
Vaginal diseases
A fairly common reason for women to consult a gynecologist is inflammatory diseases of the vagina - colpitis (vaginitis). The most common cause of vaginitis is sexually transmitted infections. In addition, inflammation can be caused by microorganisms or fungi that are constantly present in the vaginal cavity. With age, the production of estrogen in the body of women decreases, which can also lead to the development of colpitis, called atrophic.
With colpitis, women complain: burning sensation in the vagina and the appearance of discharge from it. With inflammation of the vagina caused by gonococci, the discharge is purulent, greenish-yellow in color, and in consistency resembles thick cream. If there is a burning sensation in the vagina and a foul-smelling yellowish-brown or greenish-white foamy discharge, Trichomonas colpitis may be suspected. Vaginal discharge with gardnerellosis has a faint smell of raw fish. If vaginitis is caused by yeast of the genus Candida, then women notice itching in the vagina and the appearance of white cheesy discharge. In order to accurately determine the type of pathogen that caused the disease and prescribe a full-fledged treatment, the doctor takes tests from the woman (smear, bacteriological culture with sensitivity to antibiotics).
Itching in the vagina
Almost every adult woman is familiar with such a problem as vaginal itching. The following factors can lead to its occurrence:
- Overheating or hypothermia;
- Wearing very tight or coarse underwear
- Various irritating environmental factors;
- Psychogenic factors (stress, fear);
- Taking certain medications.
Some diseases can also cause itching in the vagina: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, lymphogranulomatosis, leukemia, iron deficiency anemia, renal failure, hepatitis, diabetes mellitus. Therefore, if itching in the vagina continues for several days, then you should definitely consult a doctor.
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