Vaginal Infection

 Vaginal infection

The Types of Vaginal Infections

There are three most common types of vaginal infection , says Cynthia Krause, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City: yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted disease.

Yeast infection

The most common type of vaginitis, a yeast infection is caused by one of the many fungal species known as candida. According to Drs. Krause, "There are many types of yeast, or candida - Candida albicans are the most popular."

OkUsually, candida stays harmless in your body in small amounts, including the vagina. But under certain conditions, infestation of candida may occur, causing infection of the vagina.

Those conditions may include hormonal changes due to pregnancy, birth control pills, or menstruation. Other conditions that increase the risk of vaginal yeast infections include having high or constant blood sugar levels and lowering the immune system due to a health condition such as HIV or AIDS.

 Symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include a thick, white discharge that some women describe as cottage cheese. Yeast infections can also cause genital itching and redness of the vagina (lips of the vagina) and vagina.

Viral Vaginosis

Along with the yeast, “friendly” bacteria called lactobacilli live in the vagina. When the amount of lactobacilli is too low, it can cause a condition called bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Why the levels of bacteria are changing is unknown, but normal lactobacilli can be replaced by others, the bacteria that cause the infection.

"Gardnerella is a bacterium often associated with bacterial vaginosis," Krause said. "Lactobacilli deficiency and overgrowth are these other bacteria that cause symptoms of infection."

With bacterial vaginosis, a woman can see a thick or white discharge or a smooth and clear discharge. It is impossible to be bitten or burned. The smell of fishy can be seen, especially during sex.

Trichomoniasis

"Of the three most common genital infections, trichomonas vaginitis, also called trichomoniasis, is the only true sexually transmitted infection," Krause said.

Often referred to as “trich,” it is caused by a single-celled virus, the Trichomonas vaginalis, and is transmitted from one partner to another during sexual intercourse.

The symptoms of trichomoniasis are similar to other vaginal infections: fever, irritability, redness, and swelling of the vagina, with the discharge of a yellow or greenish-green vagina, which may have a foul odor. Some women also experience pain during urination.

Other Sexual Conditions

Other common genital infections and causes of itching in the vagina include:

Chlamydia Vaginitis

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that can cause inflammation of the vagina. Some women will have chlamydia discharge and others will not. If the infection spreads across the vagina and cervix, women may experience bleeding between or after sex, according to Planned Parenthood.

“Women who have sex until the age of 26 should be screened every year for chlamydia because it usually comes without symptoms and can last a long time and cause equal damage to fertility,” said Dr. Moore.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is another, more common sexually transmitted disease that usually does not cause symptoms but can cause vaginal discharge, pain during urination, and pain during vaginal sex.

Women with gonorrhea are more likely to have chlamydia, so a woman who is diagnosed with one of these infections will often be treated with another treatment.

Infectious Vaginitis

Infectious vaginitis occurs when the skin around the vagina is sensitive to irritants, such as perfumes, perfumes, or cloth lotions. This is not an infection, and the solution is simple: "Not being exposed to anything you respond to," Moore said.

Another type of non-infectious vaginitis is called atrophic vaginitis, and it usually occurs when female hormone levels drop during menopause, and the walls of the vagina become thin, dry, and deformed.

Vulvodynia: Persistent Pain of Vulva

In vulvodynia women have chronic pain or discomfort in the vagina for no known reason. Symptoms are similar to vaginal infections: fever, itching, stiffness, tearing and swelling. Symptoms may be frequent or intermittent.

Bacterial Vaginitis

Bacteria can also cause vaginal infections. Many viruses that directly affect the vagina are transmitted through sexual contact.

"The herpes simplex virus is the most common cause of viral vaginosis," Moore said. Symptoms include genital pain from sores or ulcers. Most of the time, you can see sores on the vagina or vagina, but they can also be hidden and only seen during a gynecological examination.

Treatment of Private Diseases

All of these conditions can be treated, but it is important to know what type of infection or condition you have so that it can be treated properly.

"Yeast medications are available over the counter if you are sure they are a yeast infection," says Krause, but "sometimes women think they have yeast and it's actually something else. If you try over-the-counter medications and they don't work, you should see a doctor.