Healthy conditions
Healthy vaginal conditions depend on a number of interlinked factors, with the ecological balance of naturally-occurring microorganisms - playing a considerable role.
Bacteria from the Lactobacillus genus are the most dominant, but another significant genus is Gardnerella, especially G vaginalis.1 Other species, such as Enterococcus spp and Prevotella spp, are also usually present, but in low numbers which do not cause problems.2 Common among the microbiota yeasts is Candida spp.
Homoeostatic mechanisms include the body's immune system, with phagocytes ensnaring, immobilizing, and digesting colonizing microorganisms.3 The microorganisms also compete with each other, with bacterial compounds inhibiting yeasts, and Candida metabolites inhibiting bacteria.1 Compound secreted include hydrogen peroxide, lactate, butyrate, amino acids, organic acids, monosaccharides, ketones, organic acids, monosaccharides, ketones, and alcohols.4
The CPD Cycle
REFLECTION
What do you need to know about the recent introduction of new products targeting women's health, and why is this relevant to your practice?
How would you go about advising women who are describing symptoms of vaginitis?
PLANNING
How and when will you take the time to look into candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis - differentiation and treatment approaches?
ACTION
In addition to reading this article, what other activities will you do?
EVALUATION
How will you put your learning into practice?
How will you deal with requests for an imidazole product or questions about probiotics?