Why Vaginal Infections Occur More During Menstruation?

Why Vaginal Infections Occur More During Menstruation?

Not only are your emotions sensitive when you are menstruating. Your vagina also experiences the same thing. Yes. You will be more prone to vaginal infections during menstruation. This is what makes you have to be extra careful to maintain and care for the cleanliness of the female area during menstruation.

Why is the vagina easier to get an infection during menstruation?

Vaginal infections are very common. 3 out of four women have experienced this condition during their lifetime. According to Margie Profet from the University of California, Berkeley, your vagina is very susceptible to bacterial infections while menstruating. How did it happen?

During menstruation there is a two-way backflow. This happens when the blood cells and tissues that have to be wasted into the vagina actually flow to the cervix and fallopian tubes. As a result, bacterial contamination is easier, because there is a flow from top to bottom and vice versa during menstruation. Bacterial infections can not only occur in the external area of ​​the vagina, but can also enter inside, such as the cervix, to the pelvis.

In addition, vaginal infections during menstruation can also be caused because the female area is more moist than usual. Normally, the acidity of the vaginal pH ranges from 3.8-4.5. However, pH levels will tend to increase when a woman is menstruating. Well, this change in pH levels causes vaginal fungal growth to increase during menstruation.

Therefore, it is very important to maintain vaginal hygiene during menstruation to avoid bacterial and fungal infections in your female organs.

So, how to prevent vaginal infections during menstruation?

Basically, the risk of vaginal infections during menstruation can be reduced in various simple ways, such as changing pads regularly every maximum of 4 hours, cleaning the vagina in the right way, and maintaining vaginal moisture. In addition, give extra time when bathing to clean the female area of ​​the pile of blood and fluid.

Then, what about the vaginal cleanser? Can you use vaginal cleansers during menstruation? Vaginal cleansers may often be associated with negative effects, such as bacterial vaginosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, even cervical cancer.

Actually, these conditions are caused because the cleaning fluid used actually removes the normal flora inside the vagina. As a result, this actually triggers the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Well, these pathogenic bacteria can then cause inflammation.

If needed, you can use a vaginal cleanser. However, make sure you choose a vaginal cleanser containing povidone-iodine to prevent vaginal infections, especially when you are "red day" ". Female cleansers containing povidone-iodine can help reduce the growth of bad bacteria in the vagina because of its function that resembles antiseptics.

Always read the rules of use printed on the product packaging before you decide to use a vaginal cleanser with povidone-iodine. Don't forget, consult your doctor first if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, have allergies, or are taking certain drugs before using the product.