Vaginal Infections (Vaginitis)
Vaginal infections happen to women of all ages, to sexually active women and to women who aren't sexually active. Most women have a vaginal infection at least one time during their lives. Vaginal infections are actually the number one reason that adult women see their health care providers.
What is normal discharge?
Most girls notice a yellow or white stain on their underwear after they go through puberty. This is a normal fluid that helps clean and moisten your vagina. You are completely healthy and normal if your discharge:
- is cloudy white has no odor or has a slightly salty odor increases and become "stringy" (like egg whites) during the middle of your menstrual cycle when you are ovulating
If you find that your normal discharge is annoying, you can wear panty liners/shields on your underwear. Also, to keep your vaginal discharge under control, make sure you wear cotton underwear (which absorbs moisture and lets air circulate). Take daily showers or baths and make sure that you wash outside your vaginal area every day with mild soap and then rinse and dry yourself. Don't use deodorized panty liners or deodorant sprays in your vaginal area. If your discharge changes, it may be a sign that you have a vaginal infection and you need to see your health care provider.
What is a vaginal infection?
A vaginal infection is known medically as "vaginitis." The 3 most common causes of vaginal infections are yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Vaginal discharge may also occur if you have an infection in your cervix with gonorrhea or chlamydia. There are other causes of vaginal infections that are less common. Each type of vaginitis is caused by a different type of germ or organism, so each type must be treated differently.
What are the signs/symptoms of a vaginal infection?
If you have a vaginal infection, you may have any of the following:
· Vaginal odor
· Vaginal itching
· Vaginal burning
· Pain or irritation with urination or sexual intercourse
· Discharge different than normal
However, some women may not have any symptoms. Some women may not even notice any of these symptoms if they aren't too bad. A health care provider may notice signs of a vaginal infection, such as discharge or an odor, during a gynecologic examination and then may do a test of the vaginal fluid to see if an infection is present. It is important to have regular checkups with a health care provider so if you miss something about your health, he/she may discover it.
What to do if I think I have a vaginal infection? If you have any of the symptoms of a vaginal infection, you should see your health care provider right away. Each type of vaginal infection has different symptoms, so you may think you know what type of vaginal infection you have. However, you may confuse the symptoms since sometimes the outward symptoms (symptoms you are able to notice) of vaginal infections can appear the same. Sometimes you can have more than one type of vaginal infection at a time. It's also a good idea to go your health care provider if you notice symptoms of a vaginal infection, because you might have something more serious, like a sexually transmitted disease. It is possible to confuse vaginal infections with the STDs such as gonorrhea or herpes, since they can have similar symptoms to vaginal infections. Only health care providers can find out if you definitely have a vaginal infection, and if you do, exactly what type you have. You should be completely honest with your health care provider about what symptoms you have, such as odor, burning, or strange vaginal discharge, even if it is embarrassing. This way, your health care provider can make a correct diagnosis as to what type of vaginal infection you have. This is very important; because how you treat a vaginal infection depends on what type of vaginal infection you have.
Can I douche if I have a vaginal infection?
You should never douche! Douching can cause infections by changing the normal balance of organisms in your vagina. Douching can also make an infection worse if you already have one. It can push the infection up into your reproductive area, or hide symptoms of a vaginal infection so it is harder to diagnose it and treat. Other things that can cause vaginal infections are scented tampons, deodorant spray, and harsh soaps. You do not need any of these things to clean your vagina. Your vagina cleans itself best when you don't use any of these things.
How can a health care provider definitely tell if I have a vaginal infection?
Your health care provider will use a cotton swab to take a sample of your vaginal discharge to look at it under a microscope and to check with pH paper. This may mean just an external exam with Q-tip samples, or it may mean a vaginal exam with a speculum (a metal or plastic instrument inserted into your vagina and then opened up in order to get a better look at your vagina and cervix). Ask your health care provider which is best for you to find out if you have a vaginal infection. The tests are very simple and quick.
What can I do to prevent vaginal infections?
The best way to prevent vaginal infections is to practice good feminine hygiene. Vaginal infections can happen more than once. You should always follow this advice:
· Keep your vaginal area clean and dry. You should wash outside your vaginal area every day with mild soap and then rinse and dry yourself well.
· Do not douche. Douching can upset the normal balance of organisms in your vagina, which can cause a vaginal infection, make an infection worse, or spread the infection further up into your reproductive area (into your uterus or fallopian tubes).
· Do not use perfumed soaps, perfumed bubble bath or gel, scented tampons, vaginal powders, or vaginal deodorant sprays. They can irritate your vagina and cause a vaginal infection. IF your vaginal area is already irritated, you should not use scented toilet paper, spermicides, or harsh soaps.
· Make sure you wipe yourself from front to back after going to the bathroom, so that the bacteria normally present in your rectum doesn't get spread to your vaginal area.
Don't wear tight or damp clothing, because they can keep moisture in and irritate your vagina. This can cause bad bacteria to grow. If you do have to wear tight clothing, don't wear it for a long time.
· Wear white cotton underwear. Avoid nylon and lycra. Cotton helps to absorb moisture and allows air to circulate. Never wear pantyhose without wearing cotton underwear underneath.
*adapted from information obtained from Center for Young Women’s Health, Children’s Hospital Boston
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