Groin Or Vaginal Infection
Washing tips: Clean the area in warm water at least twice a day. Pat dry carefully and then apply any cream you have been given by your doctor or pharmacist.
Wash your hands before and after cleaning to prevent the spread of the infection. Also, do not share your face cloth or towel with others.
Creams: If you are using intravaginal creams or pessaries, youâll need to use menstrual pads rather than tampons.
Clothing: Change underwear daily and wear loose-fitting pants.
Pain relief: If you are in pain, get advice on medicines you can take.
When Should You Try This
What Causes Groin Infections
Groin infections can be caused by a fungus. A fungal infection of the groin can often be irritating to the skin and may be very painful or itchy. Fungal infections may be passed on from person to person, but this is not always the case.
Fungi like moist, warm places to infect, such as folds of skin. To prevent fungal infections the area should be kept clean and dry. It is a good idea to avoid sharing towels, bedding or clothes.
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When To Contact A Medical Professional
Keep your genital area clean and dry when you have vaginitis.
- Avoid soap. Just rinse with water to clean yourself.
- Soak in a warm, not hot, bath to help your symptoms. Dry thoroughly afterward.
Other tips are:
- Avoid using hygiene sprays, fragrances, or powders in the genital area.
- Use pads instead of tampons while you have an infection.
- If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar level in good control.
Allow more air to reach your genital area. You can do this by:
- Wearing loose-fitting clothes and not wearing panty hose.
- Wearing cotton underwear or underwear that has a cotton lining in the crotch. Cotton allows normal evaporation of moisture so that moisture buildup is reduced.
- Not wearing underwear at night when you sleep.
Girls and women should also:
- Know how to properly clean their genital area while bathing or showering.
- Wipe properly after using the toilet. Always wipe from front to back.
- Wash thoroughly before and after using the toilet.
Always practice safe sex. Use condoms to avoid catching or spreading infections.
Can Vaginal Yeast Infections Be Prevented
For most girls, there’s no way to prevent yeast infections. You may feel more comfortable and have less irritation if you wear breathable cotton underwear and clothes and avoid vaginal sprays and douches. Wearing cotton underwear may also help prevent yeast infections.
If you have diabetes, keeping blood sugar levels stable also can help you avoid yeast infections.
If you think you have an infection, call your doctor for advice. Don’t take leftover antibiotics or someone else’s antibiotics or medicine. They might be the wrong choice for your condition, and taking antibiotics when they’re not needed can make yeast infections more likely.
Yeast infections can be annoying, especially if they happen often. To help avoid them, follow your doctor’s advice, wear cotton underwear, and try to wear loose-fitting clothes. Your body will thank you.
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Diagnosis Of Common Vaginal Infections
Your doctor or nurse will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. Sometimes this is enough to understand what the problem is. They may also ask to examine your genital area. Youll need to give your consent before a doctor or nurse can examine you. They will also offer you a chaperone .
Your nurse or doctor may also ask to take a urine sample, to check whether youre pregnant, or to rule out a urinary tract infection.
Treatment For Vaginal Infections
All of these conditions can be treated, but its important to know which type of infection or other condition you have so it can be treated correctly.
Yeast medication is available over the counter if you are certain that it is a yeast infection, Krause says, but sometimes women think they have a yeast infection and it is actually something else. If you try over-the-counter medications and they dont work, you should see a doctor.
Additional reporting by Ingrid Strauch.
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When Should You See A Doctor Or Other Healthcare Professional
Some vaginal infections may clear up without treatment from a healthcare professional, especially when you help the infection on its way with home remedies or OTC medications.
That said, infections wont always improve on their own. Youll want to make an appointment with your doctor or clinician if you:
- have never had a vaginal infection before
- had a vaginal infection in the past, but youre having new or different symptoms
- have a vaginal pH
- notice yellow or bloody discharge, or discharge with a foul odor
- have other symptoms, including vomiting, fever, or low back and stomach pain
- have difficulty urinating or need to urinate more than usual
If youve had a yeast infection before and you recognize the signs, you might not need to make an appointment. You can often treat yeast infections at home with OTC medications.
That said, it never hurts to connect with a doctor or clinician if you get them often. They may be able to prescribe more effective treatment and help you narrow down the cause. Youll also want to make an appointment if you have any doubts about the type of infection you have.
Its always recommended to get treatment from a doctor or clinician for any vaginal infection if youre pregnant or believe you could be pregnant. Untreated vaginal infections can get worse, and some can lead to complications during pregnancy and delivery.
What Are The Symptoms Of Bacterial Vaginosis
Up to 84% of people with bacterial vaginosis dont have symptoms. If you do, you may have:
- Off-white, grey or greenish color vaginal discharge .
- Discharge that smells “fishy.”
- “Fishy” smell that is strongest after sex or during the menstrual cycle.
BV symptoms are similar to other infections. Its important to visit your healthcare provider to determine if what you have is BV or another vaginal infection.
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What Causes Vaginal Infections
The causes can vary dramatically depending on what type of infection you have. However, here are the most common:
- Sexual intercourse with someone who has an STD.
- Overgrowth of bacteria or fungi.
- Reduced level of hormones, leading to vaginal thinness and dryness.
- Soaps or other beauty products that can irritate the skin in that area.
- Tight clothing.
What Is Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is a vaginal infection caused by bacteria. It is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge that occurs in reproductive-age women .
Bacterial vaginosis may cause a “fishy” odor and cause vaginal irritation in some women. Others may not have any symptoms.
Bacterial vaginosis is associated with poor obstetrics and gynecologic outcomes such as preterm delivery, infection after surgeries such as a hysterectomy, and may make a woman more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections, especially HIV.
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Research Shows Vaginal Microbiota Transplants
Bacterial vaginosis is a common, often frustrating condition that occurs when the vagina’s main bacterial companion, lactobacilli , is overtaken by competing microbes, leaving patients at higher risk of sexually transmitted infections and preterm births. Researcher Laura Ensign is looking to treat this imbalance by creating vaginal microbiota transplants – moving bacteria from healthy vaginas into patients with BV. The researchers hope that by establishing a way to find healthy donors for transplant, they can help make this treatment available sooner.
How Is It Treated
Some cases of BV clear up on their own without treatment. But others require prescription antibiotics, such as clindamycin and metronidazole. These antibiotics are available in pill and gel form.
If youre prescribed antibiotics, make sure you use the full course as directed by your healthcare provider, even if your symptoms seem to clear up quickly. If you still have symptoms in two to three days after finishing your antibiotics course, talk to your healthcare provider.
While its best to see your healthcare provider if you have BV, there are also a few things you can do on your own to help clear up the condition.
These include:
- practicing healthy vaginal hygiene habits
- using unscented soaps and unscented tampons whenever possible
Looking for more? These natural home remedies may help. But if you arent noticing results after about a week, its time for medical treatment.
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Should I Call My Doctor Or Nurse If I Think I Have A Yeast Infection
Yes. Seeing your doctor or nurse is the only way to know for sure if you have a yeast infection and not a more serious type of infection.
The signs and symptoms of a yeast infection are a lot like symptoms of other more serious infections, such as STIs and bacterial vaginosis . If left untreated, STIs and BV raise your risk of getting other STIs, including HIV, and can lead to problems getting pregnant. BV can also lead to problems during pregnancy, such as premature delivery.
What Is Noninfectious Vaginitis
Noninfectious vaginitis usually refers to vaginal irritation without an infection being present. Most often, this is caused by an allergic reaction to, or irritation from, vaginal sprays, douches, or spermicidal products. It may be also be caused by sensitivity to perfumed soaps, detergents, or fabric softeners.
Another form of noninfectious vaginitis, called atrophic vaginitis, usually results from a decrease in hormones because of menopause, surgical removal of the ovaries, radiation therapy, or even after childbirth–particularly in breastfeeding women. Lack of estrogen dries and thins the vaginal tissue, and may also cause spotting.
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Symptoms Of Canine Vaginitis
Vaginitis in canines will have symptoms that may include:
- Discharge from the vulva such as mucus, pus or blood
- Increase in the frequency of urination
- Difficulty in passing urine
- Increased grooming of the vaginal area
- Rubbing of the vaginal area
- Reddened vaginal area
- Itching in the vaginal area
- Crusty hair coat around the vaginal area due to the discharge
- Development of perivulvar dermatitis as a result of the excessive grooming
How Can I Reduce My Risk Of A Yeast Infection
You can often prevent vaginal yeast infections by making a few lifestyle changes. These changes can include:
- Not douching douching can kill bacteria that actually control fungus.
- Avoiding the use of feminine deodorants.
- Not using scented tampons or pads.
- Changing out of wet clothing, like bathing suits or gym clothes, as soon as you can.
- Wearing cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes.
- Using water-based sexual lubricants.
- Keeping your blood sugar levels in a normal range if you have diabetes.
The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are similar to other conditions. If you have any questions, a physical exam by your healthcare provider will help.
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If You Have A Vaginal Infection
- Take all the medicine as prescribed. If you stop taking the medicine before the infection is completely cured, the infection may return.
- If the doctor prescribes a vaginal cream, do not use tampons while you are using the cream. The tampons will absorb the cream.
- Do not have intercourse until your treatment is finished and you have no more signs of infection.
- If your doctor says the infection can be spread through intercourse, tell your partner. This is very important because your partner may also need treatment.
How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Treated
If you’re using a vaginal treatment and are sexually active, you should not have sex until the infection has been completely treated because these medicines can weaken condoms and diaphragms.
All these types of medicine can clear up your symptoms in a couple of days and cure the infection within a week. It’s important to take the medicine for the whole time its prescribed. If you stop taking it too soon, the infection could come back. If you’re not feeling better within a few days of finishing treatment, call your doctor.
Some medicines used to treat yeast infections are available without a prescription, but you see a doctor for your diagnosis before buying one. You could have another type of infection that might get worse if not properly treated. Also, over-the-counter medicine should not be used by anyone younger than 12 or girls who might be pregnant without talking to a doctor first.
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Is There A Cure For Bv
A healthcare provider can treat BV with antibiotics. If you have symptoms, you should be checked and treated by a healthcare provider. It is important to take all the medicine your provider prescribes, even if your symptoms go away. Treatment also may reduce the risk for getting other STDs. BV can return even after treatment.
Male sex partners of women with BV do not need treatment. However, BV can spread between female sex partners.
What Are The Symptoms Of Trichomoniasis
The following are the most common symptoms of trichomoniasis:
-
A frothy, often musty-smelling, greenish-yellow discharge
-
Light bleeding, especially after sex
-
Burning during urination
-
Discomfort in the lower abdomen
-
Pain during sex
Some women with trichomoniasis have no symptoms. The symptoms of trichomoniasis may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis.
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Whats The Difference Between Bacterial Vaginosis And A Yeast Infection
Both bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections are vaginal infections that increase discharge. Heres how you can tell the difference:
- Discharge: The hallmark sign of BV is discharge with a fishy smell. Discharge from yeast infections doesnt usually have a strong smell but may look like cottage cheese.
- Vaginal irritation: Typically, BV doesnt cause vaginal irritation or itchiness. Yeast infections do.
- Over-the-counter treatment: You can treat yeast infections with over-the-counter medications. Youll need to see your healthcare provider to get antibiotics for BV.
An Allergic Reaction Or Sensitivity
Your vaginal area is sensitive, which means it may be sensitive to certain products you use.
As with other parts of the body, the vulvar and vaginal areas can develop a contact dermatitis reaction to detergents, lotions, soaps and creams that you use Dr. Nelson said. In addition, depending on what products you use, they can also alter the which can lead to increased risk of infections like bacterial vaginosis.
This kind of vaginal irritation is known as noninfectious vaginitis. It can cause itching and burning and vaginal discharge.
Treatment: Treating an allergic reaction or sensitivity will depend on whats causing the symptoms and then eliminating them to see if symptoms resolve. Sometimes short courses of steroid creams can help with the itching.
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Is It A Yeast Infection Or Something Else Four Conditions To Consider
Vaginal concerns can be a common occurrence. Sometimes the cause is obvious such as changes in menstrual cycle, sexual activity or a new product you may be using. Other times, the cause is not as clear.
Since many have had a yeast infection before it may be easy to assume your recurrent symptoms have the same cause, however that is not always the case.
A vaginal yeast infection is a common fungal infection that causes burning, itching, discharge and discomfort in the vulvar and vaginal areas, said Jennifer Nelson, DO, an internal medicine-pediatric specialist at Banner University Medicine Internal Medicine Clinic in Phoenix, AZ. Although its common, many other vaginal conditions can mimic a yeast infection but require different treatment. This is why its always important to discuss symptoms with your doctor to ensure that you are receiving the correct treatment.
As Dr. Nelson mentioned, there are a few common conditions that can be mistaken for yeast infections. She walked us through four other important vaginal health issues to consider when these symptoms arise.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Vaginal Yeast Infection
There are several tell-tale signs of a vaginal yeast infection. These symptoms can include:
- A thick, white vaginal discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese.
- Small cuts or tiny cracks in the skin of your vulva because of fragile skin in the area.
- A burning feeling when you pee.
In some cases, another symptom of a vaginal yeast infection can be pain during sex.
Symptoms of a yeast infection are similar to the symptoms people feel when they have a sexually transmitted infection or other vaginal infection. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms so they can examine you.
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