Vaginal Problems

“I just learned that yogurt could help to prevent yeast infections. Now when I take antibiotics, I eat a yogurt in the morning to help keep clear from any problems.”

Kim P., University of Maryland

Vaginal problems include vaginal pain, discharge, abnormal bleeding, irritation, and/or infections. Infections may or may not be sexually transmitted. Common vaginal problems in college age females are listed below.

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

Bacterial Vaginosis

This is an infection from one or more types of bacteria. With this you may have:

	Mild vaginal irritation or burning
	A watery, grayish-white, or yellow vaginal discharge with a fishy odor

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

This is an infection of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. With PID, you have vaginal bleeding with 2 or more of these problems:

	Abdominal tenderness and/or bloating
	Pain in the pelvis, lower abdomen, or back. The pain can be severe enough to make you walk bent over and to take small steps.
	Pain during intercourse
	The skin on your abdomen feels sensitive.
	Vaginal discharge with abnormal color or odor
	Change in menstrual flow
	Fever, chills

Vaginal Yeast Infection

This is caused by an overgrowth of the fungus, Candida albicans, which is normally present in the vagina. Taking some brands of birth control pills and/or an antibiotic may trigger this overgrowth.

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are:

	Itching, irritation, and redness around the vagina
	Thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and may smell like yeast
	Burning and/or pain with urinating or during sex

Vaginitis From Contact Dermatitis

This is a reaction to products that irritate the vaginal area, such as harsh detergents, scented items, douches, latex condoms, and tight-fitting clothing. With this, you have itching and redness in the outer genital area without other symptoms.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

These include genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis.

Treatment

Treatment for the vaginal problem depends on the cause. Bacterial infections and PID are treated with antibiotics. Fungal infections are treated with antifungal medicines.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care/Prevention

For Vaginitis from Contact Dermatitis:

	Avoid products that cause the problem (scented items, douches, feminine hygiene sprays, etc.). Don’t scrub the affected area with a washcloth.
	Don’t wear tight and constricting garments (girdles, tight blue jeans, etc.).
	Use medicated wipes, such as Tucks, instead of dry toilet paper. Follow package directions.
	Add an oatmeal bath product (Aveeno) or baking soda to bath water.
	Apply an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. Use this infrequently, though. Hydrocortisone can lead to a thinning of the vaginal tissue.
	Put a cool compress on the affected area.
	Take a sitz bath every 4 to 6 hours or as needed. A sitz bath basin is a device that fits on the toilet seat and is used to cleanse the genital area. You can buy a sitz bath basin at a medical supply store and at some drug stores.
	Wash your underwear in a gentle detergent. Rinse it twice. Use only plain water for the second rinse. Don’t use fabric softener.

For a Vaginal Yeast Infection:

	If you have a history of vaginal yeast infections and these current symptoms are the same and you used an over-the-counter remedy successfully in the past, use the same or similar product. Use vaginal creams or suppositories, such as Monistat and Gyne-Lotrimin. If you get a vaginal yeast infection when you take an antibiotic, use one of these over-the-counter products during and/or after the period of antibiotic treatment.
	Limit your intake of sugar and foods that contain sugar. Sugar promotes the growth of yeast.
	Eat yogurt and/or take an over-the-counter product that contains live cultures of lactobacillus acidophilus.
	Take showers, not baths. Avoid bubble baths.
	Keep the vagina as clean and dry as possible.
	Wear cotton or cotton-lined underwear.
	Don’t wear tight and constricting garments (girdles, tight blue jeans, etc.).
	Wear knee-highs instead of panty hose, if possible. When you wear panty hose, wear ones with cotton crotches.

For Information, Contact: Services section