A vaginal infection may develop when there is a change in the normal
balance of organisms in your vagina. These changes may be caused by an
overgrowth of yeast or bacteria in your vagina. The symptoms are often
similar.
Vaginal yeast infections
The symptoms of
vaginal yeast infection include:
- Vaginal itching that is often severe.
- Vaginal discharge that is usually white, looks like cottage
cheese, and is odorless.
- Red, irritated skin around the opening to
the vagina (labia).
- Pain while urinating when urine touches
irritated skin.
- Pain during sex.
Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are more likely to occur
during the week before a menstrual period. Itching and redness of the vulva can
also be caused by a reaction to vaginal products such as soap, bath oils,
spermicidal jelly, or douches.
Vaginal yeast infections may go away on their own; persistent
infections are treated with medications.
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) causes a thin, grayish white
vaginal discharge with a "fishy" smell. Your symptoms may be worse after sex
and following your menstrual period. Some women with BV do not have symptoms.
BV may cause problems with pregnancy, such as preterm labor.
Bacterial vaginosis often clears up on its own without treatment.
You may be treated with antibiotics if you have persistent symptoms or if you
are pregnant.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Symptoms of a
sexually transmitted disease (STD) include:
- A thick, discolored, or foul-smelling vaginal
discharge. Symptoms may get worse over a period of several days to 2 weeks.
- Pain, burning, or itching while
urinating.
- Fever.
- Pain during sex.
- Pain or
a feeling of heaviness in the pelvis or lower abdomen.
- Itching,
tingling, burning, or pain in the genitals.
- Sores, lumps,
blisters, rashes, or warts on or around the genitals.
- Vaginal
spotting or bleeding after sexual intercourse.
Call your health professional for an appointment if you think you
may have an STD:
- Do not have sexual contact or activity while
waiting for your appointment. This will reduce the possible spread of infection
to your partner. Your partner or partners may need to be treated as
well.
- Do not douche. Douching changes the normal balance of
bacteria in the vagina. Douching may flush an infection up into your uterus or
fallopian tubes and cause
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
