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Vaginal Infections

Vaginal infections are common problems for women. There are many causes of these but most have very similar symptoms:

• itching

• burning

• increased discharge, sometimes foul smelling or colored and

• pain

Bacteria, yeast, and viruses can cause the problem. Sometimes vaginal infections result from an overgrowth of normal organisms that live in your vagina. Others are introduced by outside organisms. This may occur from bacteria from your stool or from unprotected sex with an infected partner.

See your healthcare provider to find the cause and decide upon the correct treatment. Creams, tablets, or pills may be prescribed for this. Your sex partner may need treatment as well.

To reduce your chances of an infection:

• wash your vaginal opening with mild soap and water daily

• avoid the regular use of pads, deodorants, and perfumes in this area

• keep the area dry with cotton panties and loose clothing

• when using toilet tissue, wipe from front to back and

• use latex or plastic condoms to limit your risk of sexually transmitted infections

Many women have recurrent Candida, or yeast infections. This causes a white, cheesy discharge, with a yeasty odor. There are now over-the-counter drugs to treat this. If you feel certain that your symptoms indicate a yeast infection, and you have not been exposed to sexually transmitted diseases, you may choose to treat yourself.

Seek medical care if you are unsure or you have possibly been exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. Recurrent yeast infections may be a sign of another disease. If your infection does not resolve after treatment, or you have recurrent yeast infections, see your healthcare provider.

It's important to seek medical care for all undiagnosed infections. Delay of treatment may lead to scarring and result in problems getting pregnant.

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