How Women Can Avoid Vaginal Infections During Monsoon

Monson is the season for fevers and can also lead to vaginal infections in women. Due to excess moisture and humidity in the air, infections, in general, are high, so women need to practice extra caution when it comes to vaginal hygiene.

Due to increased humidity and moisture in the rainy season viral and fungal infections increase in leaps and bounds, this can also affect women and can be the reason for vaginal infections. Dr. Vijaylakshmi, Gynecologist and Obstetrician, Dehradun says that during the rainy season women must take care of vaginal health, as a simple infection can lead to severe problems later.

Viral Infections in monsoon

Dr. Vijaylakshmi says during monsoons or the rainy season, the chances of Candidiasis are very high. It is a fungal infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. Some species of Candida can cause infection in people; the most common is Candida albicans. Candida normally lives on the skin and inside the body, in places such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina, without causing any problems. Candida can cause infections if it grows out of control or if it enters deep into the body.

Due to this infection Candidiasis, vaginal discharge is more than normal and women experience pain during intercourse. This infection can be treated with an application of anti-fungal cream in the affected area.

During the rainy season, women also suffer from many urinary tract diseases, infections (UTI), and Pelvic inflammatory disease.

How to safeguard from Monsoon Vaginal Infections:

Dr. Vijaylaskmi advises following certain strict practices to avoid vaginal infections during monsoons:

1. Keep Vagina and nearby area clean and dry:

• As we keep our body clean and follow body hygiene we must keep the vaginal area clean and follow hygiene protocol. Following the cleanliness routine will keep women safe from vaginal infections especially when using public toilets.
• Make it a practice to clean the vaginal area at least twice a day with normal soap and water, although one must avoid douching as it can bring imbalance to vaginal PH levels.
• Proper washing of private parts each time after using the washroom using the “backstroke” is useful in avoiding the occurrence of vaginal infections.
• Backstroke means washing the vagina first and then washing the anus thus avoiding the contamination of the vagina from the organisms (germs) from the anus.

1. Use Clean and freshly washed undergarments:

Due to humidity, moisture, and sweat in the rainy season, it is vital to keep the vaginal area dry and clean. Dr. Vijaylakshmi advises that one must use cotton undergarments as they can absorb moisture and are airy, and also avoid wet undergarments under any circumstance.

2. Maintain hygiene after sexual intercourse:

Be it, men or women, they must clean their private parts after intercourse, as chances of infections are very high, especially during monsoons

3. Use Condoms during sexual intercourse:

Be it a male condom or a female condom, barrier methods of contraception are very useful in avoiding infections. Condoms also help in maintaining PH levels of the vagina, which can be helpful in fighting infections.

4. Period Hygiene:

Maintaining hygiene during periods is very important, be it any season. In the rainy season as the moisture and humidity are more, also there is more dampness around the vagina due to periods, so the chances of infection are multifold. One must change sanitary pads or the period sanitary products every 4 hours to avoid severe infections.