One of the common gynecologic problems that we frequently see is a vaginal infection. These infections cause inflammation of the vagina. The symptoms can vary but often include redness, swelling and irritation of the vaginal tissues. There can be a discharge, burning, itching and odor. Vaginitis does not pose major health problems, but it often does not go away on its own. Fortunately medications can be very effective in treating and curing infections of the vagina.
The vagina normally has microscopic organisms, as does the rest of the body. These bacteria break down substances in the vaginal secretions and produce an acidic environment which helps protect the vagina against infection by keeping down the number of potentially harmful organisms. However, the environment can sometimes be altered by antibiotics, douching too often, tampons, tight clothing, extra weight, diabetes, pregnancy, birth control pills, and having intercourse. A change in the acidity of the vagina can allow potentially harmful organisms normally living there to rapidly multiply and cause inflammation with an abnormal discharge.
A certain amount of vaginal discharge is normal. A normal discharge is clear or cloudy and doesn’t smell, itch or burn. If you notice a vaginal discharge that does not seem normal, and you notice burning, itching or odor, then an infection may be present. If you call us about it, we can see you and do an exam to determine the cause of your symptoms, depending on which type of infection may be present.
Many women believe that a yeast infection refers to any and all vaginal infections. Actually there are different types of vaginal infections. We will discuss the more common ones.
Yeast, also called Candidiasis, fungus, or Monilia, is the most common type of vaginal infection that causes symptoms of irritation. It is often hard to get rid of, and recurrences are common. Many women have a thick, white or greenish discharge that is odorless and looks like cottage cheese. The main symptoms are intense itching and sometimes burning, with redness and swelling. It is more frequent among women who are pregnant, diabetic, or obese. Antibiotics, birth control pills, and any situation that promotes moisture, such as exercising, wearing a wet bathing suit, or having intercourse can lead to it. We often make the diagnosis of this infection during an exam where we examine a small amount of the discharge under the microscope. Yeast infections are usually treated with an anti-fungal medicine. It can be a cream which is available with or without prescription, or a prescribed pill such as Diflucan which is taken orally. In most cases treatment of the male sex partner is not necessary unless the symptoms seem to recur following the usual treatment. Sometimes a woman thinks she has a yeast infection when a different infection is present. If you have an infection that will not improve, please call us about it as more testing may be needed.
Bacterial Vaginosis, also call BV, is the most common cause of a malodorous vaginal infection. The main symptoms include a milky discharge with an odor. The odor becomes worse after having sex or having a period. If is often “fishy.” The cause of this particular infection is a group of organisms that occur naturally in the vagina. Here again it is simple for us to detect this vaginal infection during a pelvic exam and examining the discharge with a microscope. The treatment is a medicine called metronidazole which can be given in pill or in gel form. If you are given this prescription, it is important to remember to not drink alcohol during the time you are taking the medicine, for a severe upset stomach could occur. This infection can be transmitted back and forth during intercourse. In some cases we may recommend treating your partner as well.
Trichomonas and Group B Strep are other causes of a vaginal infection characterized by inflammation and itching. These infections are frequently mistaken for yeast as the symptoms are very similar. An examination by microscope or obtaining a culture can help distinguish which germ is responsible so that the right treatment can be chosen.
Sometimes more serious infections such as herpes or warts may be present. If you are not seeing an improvement, it is important to let us know about it.
There are things you can do to help keep the vagina healthy. Avoid spreading bacteria from the rectum to the vagina. After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back. Avoid irritating agents such as harsh soaps or detergents. Use condoms during sex. Avoid wet bathing suits and clothes that trap moisture by being too tight. Sometimes eating yoghurt can help replace the good bacteria that fights infection.
Vaginitis can be uncomfortable, but it is usually not harmful and it can be cured. If you suspect you may have an infection, call us about it. With good medical care, the problem will soon go away and you can resume your usual lifestyle without the worry and discomfort of a vaginal infection.
Thanks for the education
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I just want to say thank you so much for this article and discussing Group Strep B. I have been going to the doctors for over 2 years complaining about itching not only on my vagina but also my rectum. I was tested for strep B but not treated. Another doctor said I should have been treated but gave me antibiotics which didn’t help at all. After years of suffering a friend recommended Mycozil and in less than 5 days the itching was 80% gone and I see improvements everyday. Mycozil treats all fungus and yeast and fights strep B. Many doctors don’t believe Strep B is an issue until pregnancy and so many women like myself go misdiagnosed and live in hell. Please keep bringing awareness to Strep B. Blessings to you!
I just wanted to echo the girl above about group B strep. It needs to
Be more understood in non-pregnant women. I too struggle with group B strep overgrowth which causes green discharge and itching. Been tested for BV, yeast, etc. GBS is always culprit.
Wow thank you for sharing your story. I’m pregnant and have been having yeast infection symptoms for months! My doctors NEVER checked me, all they did was prescribe Monistat. Until at 36 weeks they tested me for Group B Strep which came back positive. I did so much research and realized I never had a yeast infection it was GBS the whole time and the doctors did nothing, not even an exam! It makes me so mad because I’m sitting there putting monistat in my body while pregnant and I didn’t even have to. But the only thing that has relieved me and I haven’t had any symptoms since, is taking a bath in one cup of apple cider vinegar and warm water, literally the only thing that helped me I haven’t had discharge since. And I am also taking probiotics to help make sure it doesn’t travel to my baby once I’m in labor.
Somehow I ended up with Group B Strep after being hospitalized for sepsis (after my urologist botched a kidney stone removal surgery). I feel as if they’re somehow related because I never had this issues prior to the sepsis. That was 1 1/2 years ago. I’ve been fighting with my gynecologist for a year about treatment for this and I’m literally going crazy. I’m glad to read your comment and know I’m not the only one. So thank you.
It is really refreshing to know that other people have experienced GBS without pregnancy. My doctor too prescribed me many different courses of antibiotics and none of them worked. I will be trying Mycozil after reading your comment. thank you
Hi Jennifer, did Mycozil work for you? Thanks
Dude. Thank you. I’m a long term strep b warrior as well and it IS hell! It has caused months of internal organ inflammation and the antibiotics are not working.
Hi Rose, tell me about your issue, cause I have the same problem
Where can I get Mycozil? What is mycozil? Is it a pill or a cream? Does mycozil treat strep throat group A?
Yes dido to the Group B Strep causing me major vaginal and urethra discomfort for months!! I am not pregnant and my doctor said it doesn’t cause symptoms. He wouldn’t treat me for it because they only treat pregnant women for it. My BV/Yeast/UTI all came back negative. So if that all comes back negative but I test positive for GBS… wouldn’t you think that’s what is causing my hellish symptoms! Thank you for everyone commenting their experiences with GBS. What a breath of fresh air to know I am not alone. All I could find out when I read up about GBS was in pregnant women who had no idea they even had it.
I too was just tested for everything, convinced I had something sti related but wasn’t sure how that’s possible when I’m in a long term relationship. It came back as heavy strep b growth. It took over a week to get the results and I was still having symptoms (itching and a ph imbalance as if my discharge was stinging/burning). They wrote me a prescription to amoxicillin since I still had symptoms. It slightly helped but did not get rid of the infection. Now I’m back to square one with the same bad symptoms and no relief. I asked for penicillin or ampicillin. I don’t know how I got this or why it’s happening but I just want relief. I’ve done all I can myself and it’s not working.
Hi Jen
GBS is not usually thought of as a STI, and you can have it without having intercourse. The prescription they gave you usually helps for that. Sometimes eating yoghurt may also help.
Good Luck!
Sincerely yours,
Mark Seigel MD
Jennifer, I have been having vaginal/urethral burning etc. I am currently waiting to be tested for GBS. I got a second opinion and this doctor is testing sensitivity due to penicillin resistance for which she’ll try another antibiotic. Something also looking into is being tested for mycoplasma and ureaplasmas, possibly mycoplasma genitalium.
Oh my this is quite accurate and exact thing happened to me. Are you okay now? What medications finally helped?
I also have group b strep. I also had it in both pregnancies, but did not get antibiotics for it. Last baby was three years ago. Was told to take keflex which makes me dizzy
It is usually treated at the hospital at least an hour before delivery.
I’ve been prescribed antibiotics for strep b. I’m not pregnant. Should I take them?
I’m confused about what the best treatment is and if I really need it. Everything on the internet is about pregnant women and babies. Thanks
It usually is not harmful to adults. Treatment is optional.
Interesting read and about the only information I can find on the Internet on strep b vaginal infection! I had a positive swab test result yesterday. I’ve been having light pink spotting with mine, has anyone else? Also cramping and back pain. We thought it was my endometriosis flaring up, but the Dr seems to think it could have been this all along! Taking antibiotics now to try and shift it. Any other tips on how to help naturally?
Eating yoghurt can be helpful as it contains lactobacilli which are bacteria that protect you.
Hi Nicola, did antibiotics work for you or did you find your symptoms return? Thanks
Thanks to Buckler3004 @gmail com.. .I am free from HERPES ………………
I am so glad I found this read. It seems to be more of a problem than everybody realizes. I too am suffering with strep B with no answers and so much discomfort for a year now. I’m hoping this blog is still going because I don’t know how to deal with this anymore. The discomfort is unbearable. Antibiotics don’t work I’ve been running from doctor to doctor to check out find answers. Hopefully somebody can help lead me in the right direction. Toni
So glad that I found this bc I’m literally going thru the same thing with GBs. None of the docs will listen to me and keep thinking it’s related to something else I am going to try the mycozil and hope that it works
Hey Alex, I’m dealing with the same problem. Was wondering if the Mycozil worked? Or what helped? Thanks
I cannot believe the doctors don’t believe us when we tell them how uncomfortable we are with this strep B infection. I don’t understand why there’s nothing that can be done. I’m ready to go in for some sort of IV anabiotic treatment. I’m getting desperate I was hoping for some answers. I live in New Jersey and I’m thinking about driving to Rockville to see one of these doctors to see if they can help because I am miserable. Not only does it bloat my stomach and feel uncomfortable. It makes me tired and irritable and I feel like I have no quality of life right now with this infection and it’s been a year. Constantly searching for answers.
To help relieve the itching and burning from strep b I use A combination of desitin and neosporin with pain relief. I’ve had this for 2 weeks now n I’m over it.
I tested positive for Strep B for the first time ever and had no idea what it was. I was having cramping and bloating. I have a wonderful doctor that was very sympathetic to my discomfort. She recommended using Boric Acid vaginal suppositories (600mg each) once a night right before bed. They were over the counter at my pharmacy, 0h-D brand. After the first night I already felt relief and it just got better each night. After 6 nights I feel normal again. Also taking probiotics or eating yogurt can help, but I can’t do either due to SIBO. Hope this helps someone out there!!