Vaginal Infections
There are several kinds of vaginal infections (vaginitis). Not all of these are caused by having sex. But they can be spread that way. The most common vaginal infections are Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections.
Tips for keeping the vagina healthy
- Always wipe yourself from front to back when you go to the bathroom. Wipe from the opening that urine comes out of (above the vaginal opening) towards your rectal area. This can keep germs from your anus away from your vagina.
- Don't douche. You don't need to clean inside your vagina. It keeps clean by itself. When you douche, you may be washing away what the vagina needs to keep healthy.
- Wear cotton underwear. Don't wear tight pantyhose. This will keep you cool and dry so bacteria won't grow as easily.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
What It Is
Every woman normally has some the bacteria in her vagina, but sometimes there is too much, causing an infection called Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).
This can happen for many reasons, such as:
- Hot weather (sweating in the vaginal area)
- Poor hygeine
- Too much douching
- A new sex partner
- Having more than one sex partner
- Sex with someone who has unclean hands or penis
- Using an IUD
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Symptoms
Women may have these signs:
- A fishy-smelling discharge from your vagina
- A heavy or milky discharge
- Itching in or around the vagina
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Long-Term Effects
BV can be cured with medicine, but if you don’t get treated, the following could happen:
- Your tubes and uterus can get infected.
- You may have a higher chance of getting or spreading HIV or other STDs.
If a woman has BV while she is pregnant, her baby could be born too soon or too small.
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Treatment
To cure BV:
- You must take pills or use a medicine that you put in your vagina.
If you think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor before you get treated.
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Yeast Infection
What It Is
A yeast infection is a common infection of the vagina. It is caused by yeast germs (Candida). Every woman has some yeast in her vagina. But if you have too much yeast, you can get a yeast infection. This may happen for many reasons, such as:
- Pregnancy.
- Hot weather or exercise from sweat in the vaginal area.
- Wearing tight underwear or panty hose.
- Taking certain kinds of medicines, like antibiotics.
- Douching too much.
- Diabetes or HIV.
The test for yeast infection is simple and painless.
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Symptoms
You may have these signs:
- A thick, white discharge, like cottage cheese
- Itching in or around the vagina
- A burning pain when you urinate (pee)
- A yeasty or strange smell
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Long-Term Effects
There are no long-term effects of yeast infection.
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Treatment
To cure a yeast infection, a woman must:
- Take a pill or put medicine in her vagina. She should use the medicine even if she gets her period.
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