Pathogenic organisms

• Trichomonas
• Gardnerella
• Actinomyces
• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhoea
• Syphilis
• Herpes
• HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

Trichomonas

This little animal is transmitted by sexual intercourse. It causes more discharge, itching, pain and easy bleeding of the vagina. It grows exclusively in an alkaline vaginal environment (pH > 5) and in combination with coccoid flora in which no lactobacilli can be observed. The discharge therefore smells unpleasant and fishy. With douching and the application of Multi-Gyn ActiGel to restore the acid vaginal pH, Trichomonas disappears quickly.
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Gardnerella

This bacterium is quite common and is transmitted by sexual intercourse. It is not known whether it causes infection by itself but it is always present in combination with other micro-organisms (such as trichomonas) when there is a vaginal infection with a foul smelling fluor (discharge) and itch. Gardnerella is part of the coccoid bacteria that cause an infection called Bacterial Vaginosis (B.V.). In case of B.V. the pH is >5. Coccoid bacteria are also seen in a non infectious situation in combination with lactobacilli, the so-called mixed flora, and a pH 4.5 - 5. Usually B.V. is treated with antibiotics.
The disadvantage of this treatment is that also useful bacteria such as lactobacilli are killed. Clinical research has shown that the combination of douching to flush out the surplus of coccoid bacteria and the application of Multi-Gyn ActiGel for the restoration of the acid vaginal pH and the stimulation of the growth of lactobacilli, is an excellent treatment for B.V.
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Actinomyces

This is a bacterium from the oral cavity. It is brought into the vagina by oral sex but also by hand. It is often seen in women who use an IUD or a diaphragm or a cervical cap. Also when tampons are not changed often enough, it causes infection with sometimes a brownish unpleasant smelling discharge. Actinomyces is most often seen in combination with coccoid bacteria (pH>4.5). Infection with actinomyces is treated with antibiotics.
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Chlamydia

This micro-organism is still a bacterium, but is very much like a virus as well. It is much dreaded because its infection can easily spread into the uterus and induce infertility. It is a treacherous disease because often it does not produce any symptoms of infection to warn you. It is transmitted by sexual intercourse and often seen in sexually active teenagers and women who are already infected with another venereal disease.
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Gonorrhoea

This is a worldwide venereal disease caused by a bacterium. It is very contagious and causes a serious infection of the vagina as well as of the uterus and the whole abdomen. Treatment with antibiotics is necessary.
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Syphilis

Treponema pallidum is the name of the little animal that causes this venereal disease, which affects the vagina and the cervix. Treatment with antibiotics is necessary.
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Herpes

Two types of herpes virus can infect the vagina. One is the herpes from the mouth that causes fever blisters. This one is transmitted by oral sex. The other one is the vaginal herpes virus that is transmitted by sexual intercourse. Both inflict small blisters, pustules and boils which start on the labia and can spread into the vagina.
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HPV (Human Papilloma Virus)

Venereal warts on the labia and cervix are caused by the HPV virus. They can grow rampant into a cancer. It is a very serious disease that is transmitted by intercourse and most often seen in sexually active young people. Recent research shows a relationship between HPV induced cervix carcinoma and the presence of coccoid bacteria, so a vaginal pH >5. Because the coccoid flora is readily controlled by the combination of douching and the restoration of the vaginal environment (with the correct pH and the lactobacilli flora) this could be an important factor in the prevention of the development of this kind of carcinoma.
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