Abscess in the vagina
definition
An abscess refers to a pus cavity that does not appear in a pre-formed cavity in the body, but rather has arisen as a result of tissue melting. Most often, an abscess is created by invasion of bacteria. Abscesses in the genital area are often perceived as particularly annoying and usually arise in the area of the labia minora. However, they can generally be found in almost all organs of the human body. Basically, a severe abscess should always be split open by the doctor so that the pus can drain.
Causes of an abscess in the vagina
The cause of an abscess in the vagina is often an inflammation of the Bartholin's glands. The ducts of the Bartholin ducts end on the inside of the labia minora near the entrance to the vagina. The glands moisturize the female genital during sexual arousal. If one of the ducts of these glands is blocked, secretion can build up and inflammation occurs, in which intestinal bacteria are often involved. If the inflammation continues to spread to surrounding tissue, a painful abscess can develop.
Another way an abscess can develop is through a small skin wound. If the skin is e.g. injured during intimate shaving, bacteria can penetrate the skin. If these are not completely eliminated by the immune system in time, the immune reaction can lead to an accumulation of pus in the tissue and an abscess.
People with a weakened immune system are particularly prone to the development of abscesses. This also includes people who suffer from diabetes mellitus, as this disease is associated with a slight weakening of the immune system.
In addition, the vaginal area is an ideal environment for bacteria, as the area around the genitals is usually warm and slightly damp. This is an excellent environment for the bacteria to multiply.
diagnosis
An abscess is usually quickly noticed by the patient through severe pain. The diagnosis of the abscess is a visual diagnosis for a doctor. The abscess in the vagina shows up as a swelling, e.g. the labia minora, redness and overheating of the affected genital area. In addition, the pus cavity can be visualized using ultrasound. However, this is not necessary in all cases, as the symptoms are usually very clear.
The abscess can be differentiated from a boil or carbuncle in that it does not primarily originate from a hair follicle.
Symptoms of a vaginal abscess
The first thing the patient will notice about the abscess in the vagina is severe pain. These become stronger under pressure, so that e.g. sitting on a bicycle seat can be particularly painful.
In addition, the patient can recognize the abscess by the clear inflammatory reaction. There is swelling in the affected area. For example, if the cause is inflammation of the Bartholin's glands, the swelling is near the entrance to the vagina in the area of the labia minora. Furthermore, the painful area appears red and overheated.
Sometimes a small yellow dot can be recognized as a sign of the pus cavity deeper in the skin.
In some cases, the abscess will open up on its own over time. This is noticeable by the fact that the feeling of pressure triggered by the pus cavity improves and pus escapes from the area of the vagina where the abscess was previously.
You may also experience a fever and chills if the inflammation spreads around the body. In this case, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
Treatment of a vaginal abscess
Basically, an abscess can be treated by surgical opening of the pus cavity with drainage of the secretion, by applying pulling ointment or with the help of antibiotics.
Train ointment helps especially in the early phase of the abscess. On the one hand, the ointment causes the pus cavity to mature faster and, on the other hand, it also softens the skin over the abscess, so that the abscess is more likely to burst spontaneously. However, it should be noted that the skin in the genital area is very sensitive. Therefore, only a maximum of 20% pull ointment should be used.
However, if the abscess is more advanced, surgical opening is the most promising and most sustainable treatment for the abscess. For this, the sensitive skin of the vaginal region can be locally anesthetized beforehand. Then the abscess is opened through an incision and the pus is removed. In addition, the former pus cavity can be rinsed with saline solution. Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary to insert a drainage into the abscess cavity for a short time in order to allow any remaining pus to escape to the body surface. This will prevent the abscess from recurring.
If the inflammatory reaction is strong and there is also a fever and chills, the abscess should definitely be treated with antibiotics. An abscess is usually caused by a bacterial infection. The antibiotics can fight these and prevent them from spreading further in the body.
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Pull ointment for a vaginal abscess
Draft ointment is often used to treat early abscesses because it helps the pus bladder to mature faster and soften the skin over the lesion, making it easier for the pus to leak out. The main active substance of the draft ointment is sulfonated shale oil. Not only is it said to have an anti-inflammatory effect, but it is also said to promote blood circulation and relieve pain. Since the genital area is very sensitive, a maximum of 20% pull ointment should be used. There is also evidence that the pulling ointment, if it comes into contact with a condom in the genital area, can lead to a reduced tear resistance of the condom.
You can find more information on the topic on our main page Pull ointment
Homeopathy for an abscess in the vagina
Attempts can be made to heal the abscess in the vagina with the help of homeopathic remedies. However, this should not be done if there is already severe pain or a fever. You should also see improvement within four days of starting homeopathic therapy. If this has not occurred, classic, surgical treatment of the abscess should be resorted to and a doctor should be consulted. For example, a combination of Hepar Sulfur C15 and Pyrogenium C9 is recommended for acute inflammation of the Bartholin's glands. Hepar Sulfuris is generally used in homeopathy for suppuration and can therefore also be used for abscesses.
You may also be interested in this article: Home Remedies for an Abscess
How long does an abscess stay in the vagina?
If the abscess in the vagina is treated quickly by a doctor, the prognosis is very good and healing is quick.
However, there is more often the problem that abscesses in the genital area are more likely to recur. In this case, it is necessary to try to find the cause of this fact and remove it. For example, good intimate hygiene should be observed. Good sleep hygiene and a healthy diet, as well as regular exercise, can also strengthen the immune system and thus reduce the likelihood that an abscess will recur.
More information can be found here: Healing an Abscess - What To Look For
Abscess in the vagina during pregnancy
If an abscess occurs in the area of the vagina during pregnancy, this usually causes great concern for the pregnant woman. However, these are unfounded because there is no danger. The abscess cannot harm the child. Nevertheless, the abscess should be treated by the gynecologist.
Therapy with a herbal ointment, such as B. the Ilon® Ointment Classic are sufficient. This ointment has an anti-inflammatory and disinfectant effect and thus counteracts inflammation. Sometimes the abscess will open up on its own and the pus will leak. In some cases this can be enough to achieve a cure.
However, it should be clarified by the doctor whether opening the abscess or administering antibiotics is necessary. In the case of antibiotics, care must be taken to choose a drug that will not harm the unborn child. Furthermore, good hygiene in the genital area should be ensured.
Abscess in the vagina after childbirth
Even if childbirth is a natural process, it always means a very special challenge for the female body. During natural childbirth, the skin around the vaginal opening can tear. Likewise, a perineal incision is often performed by the doctor. Both represent a tear in the skin and the tissue surrounding the vagina and are therefore potential entry points for bacteria. If these continue to spread in the tissue, an abscess can occur. Therefore, after the birth, it is essential to ensure that the naturally occurring wound is kept clean so that no bacteria can enter.
