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Vaginal Infection Screening & Treatment Information
Symptoms of a possible vaginal infection may include a bad odor with increased discharge, a burning sensation during urination, heavy yellowish or greenish discharge, white and clumpy discharge (i.e. like cottage cheese), or itching around the vaginal opening. Infections are more common when a woman has a new partner or has more than one sexual partner. Using a condom in the beginning of a new relationship can often prevent infections. Depending on the type of infection, a partner may need treatment too. Many times, men have no symptoms even though an infection is present. There are several infections that can be identified and treated during a visit to one of our offices or via self collection with a vaginal swab. These specimens can be analyzed by our own in-house lab to identify the most appropriate treatment for one of the following infections: Monilia/Vulvovaginal Candidiasis (Vvc) Or “Yeast Infection,” Trichomonas Vaginalis Or “Trich,” Bacterial Vaginosis Or “Bv”.
How did I get a vaginal infection?
Each of the main types of vaginal infections have different causes:
Yeast Infection: Yeast is a fungus (genus Candida) found everywhere, including the healthy vagina. Pregnant women and those with diabetes can be prone to yeast infections, as may women on antibiotics or the Birth Control Pill.
Trich: A tiny protozoan parasite, which can infect the vagina, urethra, or rectum. Infection is almost always acquired through sexual transmission, even if the exposure happened months or even years in the past.
Vaginosis / BV: Overgrowth of normal bacteria in the vagina. A tiny protozoan parasite, which can infect the vagina, urethra, or rectum. Infection is almost always acquired through sexual transmission. Since the infection can be asymptomatic in as many as 50% of women, the sexual activity that lead to acquiring the infection could have occurred months or even years in the past.
What are the symptoms of a vaginal infection?
Vaginal infections have similar symptoms that include abnormal discharge, bad odor, itching, burning, or other irritation. It is also possible you may not have any symptoms. Each type of infection also has a few specific symptoms:
Yeast Infection: Itching, burning and a white, cottage cheese-like discharge may be present when there has been an overgrowth of the yeast.
Trich: A persistent, frothy, thin, greenish discharge with itching and irritation of the vaginal canal. A bad odor and even pain during urination and/or intercourse may also be present. However, infection may be asymptomatic in up to 50% of women.
Vaginosis / BV: May include yellowish or green, persistent, foul smelling discharge, with vaginal itching and occasional pain with intercourse and/or urination. However, some women may experience no symptoms despite being infected.
How do I know for sure if I have a vaginal infection?
All types of vaginal infections are tested for by getting a vaginal swab or patients can choose to come into the clinic or submit a self-collected specimen using a vaginal swab. The specimen is analyzed by our in-house lab to determine the best course of treatment.
Yeast Infection: The presence of a vaginal “yeast infection” can be diagnosed by simple visualization of the vaginal area by an experienced clinician or by visualization of the vaginal discharge under a microscope – office visit required.
Trich: The presence of the protozoan parasite in a swab of fluid from the vaginal area can be detected under a microscope – office visit required.
Vaginosis / BV: Based upon both physical exam findings, patient symptoms, and visualization of vaginal discharge under the microscope – office visit required.
What is the treatment for a vaginal infection?
Each of the main types of vaginal infections have different treatments, but are usually topical creams and/or antibiotics:
Yeast Infection: A “yeast infection” may be treated with a vaginal cream, vaginal suppository, or a prescription for an oral medication.
Trich: The most common and effective form of treatment is with an antibiotic called Metronidazole or “Flagyl”, which is only available by written prescription from a healthcare provider. In addition, it is important for sexual partners to be treated, even if they do not have active symptoms of the infection.
Vaginosis / BV: Usually and oral or vaginal antibiotic such as Metronidazole or Clindamycin prescribed by a member of the medical staff. An important part of treatment is to also to stop behaviors that can lead to overgrowth of vaginal bacteria, especially douching.
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