Vaginal Infections

There are a variety of symptoms that may accompany a vaginal infection, including:

• Unusual discharge
• Itching, burning or irritation
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Vaginal bleeding

These symptoms may mimic those of sexually transmitted diseases , so check with your doctor. Review the topics below for more information about different types of vaginal infections:

Yeast infections
Some 75 percent of women will have a yeast infection at some point in their lives. It happens when something has changed the vagina’s acidic environment – so a naturally-occurring fungus begins to multiply, resulting in a miserable burning and itching sensation. There are a variety of factors that can trigger a yeast infection or make it more likely you’ll get one, including the following:

• Taking antibiotics
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Use of birth control pills
• Iron deficiency (anemia)
• Taking corticosteroid drugs
• A high-calorie diet

If you’ve had a yeast infection before and are sure you’ve got one again, a cure is as close as the nearest drugstore – a variety of highly effective treatments are available over-the-counter. If, however, you’ve never had a yeast infection before, check with your doctor to be certain that’s what’s causing your discomfort.

Trichomoniasis
This infection is caused by a parasite – the main symptom is a smelly, greenish-yellow discharge. Trichomoniasis is usually transmitted sexually, although you can get it by using a damp towel that’s been used by an infected person. It’s treated through oral medications like metaroniazole tablets.

Non-specific vaginitis
Also called bacterial vaginitis, this type of vaginitis is caused by a variety of organisms. It’s characterized by a white or greyish foul-smelling discharge and is treated with antibiotics

Ways to prevent vaginitis
Some forms of vaginitis, particularly yeast infections, have an annoying tendency to recur often. However, there are steps you can take to avoid getting all types of vaginitis:

• Wear cotton panties, which helps air to circulate.
• Avoid wearing pantihose in the summer, if you can help it.
• Don’t sit around in a wet bathing suit for hours at a time – yeast love the damp environment.
• Abstain from sexual intercourse during treatment for vaginitis.
• Don’t share towels with others – they may transmit an infection.
• Avoid products like bath oils and feminine hygiene sprays which can irritate the skin around your vagina and make you more vulnerable to infection.
• Keep a tube of anti-yeast medication available for those times when you’re taking antibiotics.
• After using the toilet, wipe from front to back to keep bacteria around your anus away from your vagina.