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Ever heard of bacterial vaginosis? What about yeast infections? Do you know what is normal vaginal discharge? Although many women have heard of yeast infections, many women have not heard of or are well informed about bacterial vaginosis. Vaginal infections affect women of all ages, both women who are sexually active as those who are not. Most women had a vaginal infection at least once in their life. Vaginal infections are the main reason for the visits of adult women in their health care provider.

Normal vaginal cells of normal discharge under a microscope

Normal vaginal cells of normal discharge under a microscope

What are the normal discharge?

Most teens notice yellow or white stains in underwear after entering puberty. This is a normal fluid that helps clean and moisten your vagina. This is completely healthy and normal if the discharge:

* It is white and cloudy
* It is odorless or has a slightly salty smell
* Increase in number or become “stringy” (like egg whites) in the middle of the menstrual cycle, when you’re ovulating

If your normal secretions bother you, you can use an absorbent pad in the underwear. To keep your vaginal secretions under control, be sure to wear cotton underwear (which absorbs moisture and allows air to circulate). Take a shower or bathe daily and be sure to wash the outside of the vaginal area daily with mild soap, then rinse and dry. Do not use deodorized sanitary pads or deodorant spray in the vaginal area.

Changes in your discharge may be a sign that you have a yeast infection and need to see your health care provider.

What is a vaginal infection?

The medical term for a vaginal infection is “vaginitis.” The 3 most common causes of vaginal infections are yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Can also occur if you have vaginal infection in the cervix with gonorrhea or chlamydia (see sexually transmitted diseases or STDs). 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 and therefore should be treated differently.

What are the signs and symptoms of a yeast infection?

If you have a yeast infection, you can have any of the following things:

* Vaginal Odor
* Vaginal itching
* Burning vaginal
* Pain or irritation when urinating or having sex
* Different from the normal discharge

However, some women may have no symptoms. Some women may not even notice these symptoms when not too severe. The health care provider may notice signs of a vaginal infection such as discharge or odor during a gynecological examination and sent for tests of vaginal fluid to see if an infection. It is important to be checked regularly by a health care provider so that he (she) can detect any health problem to you miss.

What should I do if I think I have a vaginal infection?

If you have any symptoms of a yeast infection, you should see your health care provider immediately. Each type of vaginal infection has different symptoms. Even if you think you know what type of vaginal infection you note that it is easy to confuse the symptoms, because sometimes the external symptoms of vaginal infections (which you can notice) may resemble. Sometimes you can have more than one type of vaginal infection at the same time. Another reason is a good idea to see your health care provider is that you may have something more serious, like a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Your health care provider is the only one who can determine with certainty whether you have a yeast infection You must be completely honest with your health care provider about symptoms you have, such as smell, burning, or abnormal vaginal discharge, even if you modesty talk about this. Thus, your health care provider can diagnose correctly the type of vaginal infection you have.

What about applying douche if I have a vaginal infection?

Never douche! Douching can cause infections by altering the normal balance of organisms in the vagina. If you already have an infection, douching can also cause the infection worsens or extends up to the spawning area, or hide the symptoms of vaginal infection by making it more difficult to diagnose. Other things that can cause a vaginal infection are scented tampons, deodorant spray and harsh soaps. None of these things is necessary to cleanse the vagina. Your vagina cleans itself best when not using any of these things.

How can you determine my health care provider with any certainty if I have a vaginal infection?

Your health care provider will use a cotton swab to take a sample of your vaginal secretions for examination under a microscope and test with pH paper. This may require only an external examination on samples taken with a Q-tip, or a vaginal examination with a speculum (a metal or plastic instrument that is inserted into the vagina and then opened to better see the vagina and cervix) . Ask your health care provider which of these tests is most appropriate for you to find out if you have a vaginal infection. The tests are very simple and quick.

When my health care provider gives me a Pap test, “check if I have a vaginal infection?

If the external symptoms such as discharge or odor, are obvious enough, your health care provider do some tests to see if you have a vaginal infection. You have to make sure to tell your health care provider if you are having symptoms. A Pap test is done to see if there are changes in the cells of your cervix that could lead to cancer of the cervix. Sometimes, signs of vaginitis are seen through a Pap test and you may get a call or letter describing the problem and treatment.

What can I do to prevent vaginal infection?

The best way to prevent vaginal infection is to follow good hygiene practices female. Vaginal infections can occur more than once. Always follow the following recommendations:

* Keep your vaginal area clean and dry. You should wash the outside of the vagina every day with mild soap, then rinse and dry well. Do not douche. Douching can upset the normal balance of organisms in the vagina, which can cause a yeast infection, infection or worsen an infection spreading upwards to the spawning area (the uterus or fallopian tubes).
* Do not use scented soaps, bubble baths or perfumed sparkling, flavored tampons, vaginal deodorants, powders or vaginal sprays. These can irritate the vagina and cause a vaginal infection. IF your vaginal area is already irritated, you should not use scented toilet paper, spermicides or harsh soaps.
* Do not wear tight clothing or wet, because it can trap moisture and irritate the vagina. If you have to wear tight clothing, do not use for prolonged periods.
* Use white cotton underwear. Avoid nylon and lycra. The cotton helps absorb moisture and allows air to circulate. Never use nylon stockings (pantyhose) without using cotton underwear underneath.
* Follow safe practices when having sex. You should not have sex with a person with a sexually transmitted disease. Whatever happens, you should always use latex condoms (or polyurethane) to reduce your chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
* Keep your stress level low.
* If you use diaphragms, cervical caps or medicinal applications, to make sure you clean them with soap and warm water and dry them well.

Other causes of vaginal infections

There are other causes of vaginal infections besides the 3 most common causes: infection, fungal, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. These causes include sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), a buffer that has been left accidentally brought a congenital problem (something you have to birth) of the vagina or uterus (this is very rare), or an allergy to or Irritation:

* Spermicides
* Vaginal hygiene products
* Detergents
* Clothes softeners

These products can cause irritation to the vagina. But when your health care provider is testing for your vaginal secretions, can determine whether your infection is caused by one of the 3 most common causes, or is it something different. If it’s something different, your health care provider must decide on treatment based on the cause. Therefore, if you notice symptoms of a yeast infection, you should always see your health care provider to make sure it is properly diagnosed and treated.

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