The microflora of the vagina

About 65% of gynecological diseases are inflammations. The most important role in their occurrence is played by the microflora of the vagina.

It contains microorganisms. Due to the fact that the microflora of the vagina is broken, inflammatory processes develop. They, in turn, provoke "chronization" (transition to a chronic form), infertility, pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy.

The microflora of the vagina is directly influenced by the hormonal status and age of the woman. In a newborn girl, the vagina in the first hours of life is sterile and filled with viscous mucus. At the end of twelve or fourteen hours the vagina is populated with lactic acid bacteria (lactobacilli or Doderlein sticks) that have passed from the mother. They continue to exist for several weeks, while the microflora of the vagina remains acidic. This is due to the action of the mother's estrogens, stimulating the reproduction of vaginal cells and the release of glycogen.

In this life period, the microflora in the vagina of a newborn girl is similar to that of an adult woman. After the mother hormones are excreted from the child's body, the vaginal environment becomes neutral. This state persists until puberty, when microorganisms begin to enter mixed microorganisms (streptococci, anaerobes, staphylococci, corynebacteria, E. coli).

During puberty, estrogen is intensively produced. Under their influence, the epithelium develops, bacteria (lactic acid) are activated , glycogen is released. Bacteria produce lactic acid from glycogen. Thus, the environment in the vagina becomes acidic.

In view of the fact that virtually all vaginal microorganisms are lactobacilli, experts define four degrees of purity. Evaluation is carried out by smear.

The first degree of purity is the condition in which the biological material (smear) contains Dodderlein sticks, epithelial cells, the medium is acidic. At the same time, pathogenic bacteria and leukocytes are absolutely absent. Providing an acidic environment, lactobacilli prevent the reproduction of harmful microorganisms.

To the second degree of purity, this state of the microflora in the vagina is attributed, in which single leukocytes and certain harmful microbes are detected, the concentration of lactic acid bacteria is reduced, and the environment in the vagina is acidic.

If there are no Doderlein sticks, a high concentration of leukocytes is found, staphylococci, E. coli, streptococci, sometimes Trichomonas, then the state of the microflora of the vagina is classified as the third degree of purity. In this case, the contents of the vagina have an alkaline reaction.

The fourth degree of purity includes the state of microflora, in which there is a complete absence of lactic acid bacteria, high concentration of leukocytes, pathogenic (pathogenic) microorganisms are found. The vaginal medium is alkaline.

The first and second degrees of purity are referred to the state of the norm. The third and fourth degrees, respectively, indicate the presence of pathologies in which it is necessary to restore the flora of the vagina.

Control over the condition of the vaginal environment is provided by the immune system of the vaginal wall. It does not allow the development of pathological microorganisms. Infringement of balance of microflora is always interconnected with decrease in immunity of a wall. Therefore, immunocorrection is of great importance. In addition, it should be noted that, the violation of microflora is also associated with the presence of pathology in the body. To establish the exact diagnosis and to pick up treatment the expert can, it is necessary to address to it in time. To restore the vaginal flora in a neglected form is possible only with the use of complex therapy.