Vaginal infections can be caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses growing in and around your vulva and vagina. Infections of your vagina and vulva can cause symptoms such as soreness and itchiness around your vulva and vagina, and an unusual vaginal discharge.
The three most common types of vaginal infection are yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Some infections are caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Many, including yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, result from a change in the vaginal environment.
Vaginal infections are caused by microorganisms, but women can take precautions, such as wearing loose, absorbent underwear, to reduce their risk of getting infections.
Most vaginal infections can be treated quickly and easily. Getting medical advice as soon as you notice a problem can help to get rid of your infection quickly and prevent complications. If you think you could have a sexually transmitted infection (if you’ve had unprotected sex with a new partner, for instance), it’s best to get checked out at a sexual health clinic.
Symptoms of common vaginal infections
Depending on the type of infection, you might have:
1. A white discharge from your vagina that looks like cottage cheese; alternatively you might have, or a thinner, white, green or yellow fishy-smelling discharge
2. itchiness or soreness in or around your vagina
3. pain when you have sex
4. pain when you pass urine
5. pain in your lower abdomen (tummy) or pelvis
6. bleeding between your periods or after you have sex
7. warts or ulcers around your vulva (the skin around the outside of your vagina)
These symptoms do not necessarily indicate an infection. Instead, they may result from other conditions that affect the vagina. For example, chemicals or other materials (such as hygiene products, bubble bath, laundry detergents, contraceptive foams and jellies, and synthetic underwear) can irritate the vagina and cause a discharge and discomfort. The inflammation that results is called noninfectious (inflammatory) vaginitis.
It’s normal and healthy for women to have some discharge from their vagina. The amount and colour of this discharge can change during your menstrual cycle, as you get older, when you take the contraceptive pill and when you’re pregnant. Sometimes, certain soaps, bath additives and vaginal douches (a type of prepared wash for your vagina) can cause inflammation of your vagina and changes in your discharge. But an abnormal unexplained change in the colour or smell of your vaginal discharge, along with other symptoms, can also be a sign of an infection.
A vaginal discharge may be caused by a disorder that affects other reproductive organs, rather than the vagina. For example, a discharge can result from certain sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydial infection or gonorrhea. The bacteria that cause these diseases can spread from the vagina to the cervix (the lower, narrow part of the uterus that opens into the vagina) and the uterus, causing pelvic inflammatory disease.
Ways To Prevent Vaginal Infections
1. Keep yourself dry and clean
Wipe yourself dry after a bath or shower. Change out of your sweaty clothes or wet swimsuit as soon as you can. Yeast loves to grow in damp places.
2. Avoid perfumed deodorant sprays, scented tampons and vaginal douchesh, these may affect the delicate balance of yeast and bacteria in the vagina and cause yeast infections.
3. Relax and reduce stress
Some studies show a link between chronic stress and vaginal yeast infections. Stress lowers your body’s immune system. Exercise, meditation and getting enough sleep can relieve stress.
4. Wear cotton underwear
Candida thrives best in a damp environment. As cotton absorbs moisture and perspiration better, it helps keep yeast infections at bay.
5. Practise good personal hygiene
Make sure you wipe from front to back after visiting the bathroom to prevent bacteria from the anus travelling to the vagina.
6. Avoid tight-fitting jeans and pants
Stay cool, dry and airy in loose-fitting pants and jeans.
7. Take natural yogurt with live cultures
Antibiotics destroy good bacteria in the body. If you are on antibiotics, be sure to replenish the good bacteria by taking natural yogurt containing friendly bacteria such as lactobacillus acidophilus.
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