A number of different problems may cause inflammation or even infection of the vagina, labia, and other sections of the female private areas. These include bacterial vaginosis, yeast and some sexually-transmitted diseases. If you have had unprotected sex with an unfamiliar partner and now have a discharge that is different from your normal discharge, causes itching or burning, discomfort when urinating, or has a foul odor, please see your health care provider.

What is Bacterial Vaginosis?
Many women mistakenly believe that yeast infections are the most common type of vaginal infection but bacterial vaginosis is the most frequently occurring vaginal infection, affecting from 10% to 64% of the population at any given time.

Although treatment is available which quickly cures this infection, if left untreated bacterial vaginosis may increase a woman's risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometritis, cervicitis, pregnancy complications, and post-operative infections, among other health conditions.

Bacterial vaginosis occurs most frequently during the reproductive years although women of all ages are susceptible to this infection that affects the vagina, urethra, bladder, and skin in the genital area.

What Causes Bacterial Vaginosis?
Primary causes of bacterial vaginosis include an overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria and the Gardnerella organism. The healthy vagina includes a small amount of these bacteria and organisms. When the vaginal balance is disrupted by the overgrowth of these bacteria another protective bacterium lactobacilli is unable to adequately perform its normal function. Lactobacilli normally provides a natural disinfectant (similar to hydrogen peroxide) which helps maintain the healthy and normal balance of microorganisms in the vagina.

E. coli, which is a normal inhabitant of the rectum, can cause bacterial vaginitis if it is spread to the vaginal area. Other factors which may contribute include hot weather, poor health, poor hygiene, and routine douching.

Risk of bacterial vaginosis increases with menopause and in women with diabetes as well as women whose resistance is lowered due to other conditions.


A report published in Women's Health Weekly indicates that multiple sex partners may increase a woman's risk of bacterial vaginosis although African-American women with only one partner still have a high prevalence of infection.

What Are the Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis?
The most obvious sign of bacterial infection is an unpleasant, foul, sometimes fishy odor. Itching and/or burning sometimes accompany bacterial infections but are not required symptoms for a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis. Many times women are unaware they are infected until they are diagnosed during a routine pelvic exam and Pap smear.

What is the Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis?
The good news is that treatment is relatively simple and effective once proper diagnosis is made. Treatment usually consists of three to seven nights of a vaginal cream. Oral antibiotic treatment is sometimes prescribed. Although your symptoms may disappear before you finish your medication it's important that you complete your medication exactly as directed by your practitioner.

Preventing Vaginal Infections
Always wipe from front to back after bowel movements to prevent E. coli from the rectum from entering the vagina. Douching is never a good idea. Douching may disrupt the fragile balance of natural organisms in the vagina which may lead to bacterial or yeast infections and may also cause the spread of infection up into the reproductive tract where it can do damage. Keep the vaginal area clean and dry. Wash before and after sex with mild soap and thoroughly dry the vaginal area to prevent moisture from creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Avoid tight clothing and always wear white cotton panties that help absorb moisture and allow air to circulate. Avoid scented or treated toilet paper, personal hygiene products, perfumes, spermicides, and harsh soaps or detergents if the vaginal area is irritated. Practice safe sex! Always use condoms to prevent STDs or other vaginal infections unless you are in a long-term monogamous relationship.
Diaphragms, cervical caps, and medication applicators should be thoroughly cleaned after each use.

Remember, if you experience signs of vaginal infection, it is important that diagnosis is made by a health care practitioner--most vaginal infections are not yeast infections! Self-treatment with over-the-counter remedies for yeast infection will not cure a bacterial infection and may increase your risk of complications.

What are the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection?
Seventy-five percent of all women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection during her life and many are plagued by recurrent yeast infections. Learning to recognize the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection is vital before women attempt self-treatment.

Symptoms of yeast infection include itching, burning, redness, and irritation of the vaginal area. Severe yeast infections may cause swelling of the vulva and in some cases women experience painful and/or frequent urination, which is caused by inflammation of the urinary opening.

Excessive vaginal discharge which is thicker than normal, appears whiter and curd-like (almost like cottage cheese) will be apparent in women experiencing vaginal yeast infections. Sexual intercourse may be painful due to the inflammation and dryness of the vaginal discharge.

What causes yeast infections?
Candida albicans is a yeast like fungus which is often found in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract; it is a normal inhabitant of humans that usually does not cause any adverse effects. Candida of the mouth is known as thrush and is often found in infants and people with a variety of health conditions. When candida is found in the vagina it is known as a yeast infection or monilial vaginitis.

Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the normal fungi that live in the vaginal area. The most common fungi is Candida albicans. Overgrowth of Candida is often precluded by recent use of antibiotics, or by wearing clothing such as nylon, lycra, or spandex that traps moisture and heat. Other factors that often contribute to yeast infections include pregnancy, obesity, PMS, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes.

Yeast infections are common among women infected by HIV and women who suffer from recurrent episodes of yeast infection should be tested for HIV infection. Other possible causes include the use of oral contraceptives, and consuming large amounts of sugars, starch, and yeasts.

If it's not a yeast infection, what could it be?
Bacterial vaginitis/vaginosis is a far more prevalent vaginal infection than yeast infection and is characterized by a foul odor which is not present in a yeast infection. Untreated bacterial vaginitis can result in pelvic inflammatory disease and lead to future infertility. It is imperative that a woman who is self-treating what she thinks is a yeast infection be positive that her vaginal infection is actually caused by yeast and not some other infection or STD.

Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and herpes can be mistaken for yeast infections because some of the symptoms are similar ? there is discharge associated with gonorrhea and herpes may often cause itching. Unless a woman is absolutely positive that her vaginal infection is yeast, she should seek the advice of her practitioner before self-treatment begins.

Treating vaginal yeast infections
Women spend $60 million annually on OTC products and many times candida albicans is not the true culprit. Vaginal yeast infections commonly are misdiagnosed by women who buy one of the over-the-counter remedies which are available in the U.S. Self-treatment of vaginal yeast infections should never be attempted by any woman who has never been first diagnosed for at least one yeast infection by her practitioner.

If a woman is able to determine that her symptoms are truly caused by yeast, she has several treatment options she may choose from including a variety of creams which are available at pharmacies throughout the U.S. Treatments with OTC products range from one to seven days. Creams available include brand names such as Monistat, Femstat, Gyne-Lotrimin, and Mycostatin. Homeopathic creams such as Vagisil are available as well which is at least helpful in reducing the incessant itching that is present in most yeast infections.

Women who prefer a less messy alternative to the creams that are sold OTC may ask her practitioner for a prescription medication such as Diflucan which is a one dose oral medication for the treatment of yeast infections.

Tips to Prevent Yeast Infections
Always wear white cotton panties; avoid nylon and lycra as much as possible; never wear panty hose without wearing cotton panties underneath. Postmenopausal women and women who use oral contraceptives may find using a vaginal lubricant during sexual intercourse helpful in preventing vaginal discomfort and irritation. Yeast is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract; always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to prevent transferring yeast to the vaginal area; care must be taken during sexual intercourse to prevent vaginal infections from occurring due to contamination with organisms from the bowel or rectum. Some women find eating one cup of yogurt a day when taking antibiotics is helpful to prevent the yeast infections that often follow antibiotic treatment; however yogurt alone will not cure vaginal yeast infections. Avoid perfumed bath additives, as well as powders in the vaginal area. Douching is never a good idea and can, in fact, be harmful since it washes away the natural protective mucous of the vagina and leaves women susceptible to vaginal infections.