Patient's question:
Is this picture of the vagina normal or not?Doctor's answer:
Vaginitis, which refers to vaginal inflammation, is a group of conditions that cause external genital and vaginal symptoms such as itching, burning pain, irritation, and abnormal discharge. The healthy vagina of a normal woman has a natural defense mechanism against pathogens due to its anatomical characteristics. For example, the closure of the vaginal opening, the close proximity of the anterior and posterior vaginal walls, the proliferation of vaginal epithelial cells under the influence of estrogen, and the keratinization of superficial cells, along with the balanced pH of the vagina, inhibit the growth of pathogens that thrive in alkaline environments. The cervical mucus is alkaline, and when the natural defense function of the vagina is compromised, pathogens can easily invade, leading to vaginal inflammation.