Vaginal Infections

Introduction

What are Vaginal Infections?

Vaginal disorders such as vaginal yeast infections or vaginal candidiasis are an embarrassing topic but they affect women of all ages, regardless of their sexual activity. In fact, all women will experience some type of vaginal disorder throughout her life.

The symptoms of these disorders are broad and can include abnormal discharge and odors, itchiness in the vaginal area, and even painful sex. Women may also notice abnormal lumps or bumps in this area.

Did you know?

There is not one particular cause for vaginal disorders although they may be caused by an infection of the vagina, which is also known as Vaginitis

Causes of this infection can include sexual transmission but may also be due to yeast infections of bacterial vaginosis. We call this vaginal yeast infection or candidiasis.

A vaginal yeast infection or vaginal candidiasis is a common fungal infection that affects 3 out of 4 women at some point in their lives. It is usually caused by an imbalance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina, such as Candida albicans. A vaginal yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted infection though there’s an increased risk from the time of first regular sexual activity. Women who have four or more vaginal yeast infections in a year require longer treatment.

Vaginal disorders that lead to the presence of lumps or that display by causing painful sexual intercourse, or abnormal bleeding between menstrual cycles may be due to other causes. Untreated sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections or genital warts can also be the culprit. These symptoms may also be caused by cancer present in the vagina, cervix, or uterus.

Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a vaginal infection in Singapore?

A change in the colour, odor or amount of vaginal discharge e.g. cottage cheese-looking
Vaginal redness or itching
A mass or bulge in your vagina
Pain during intercourse

That being said, you might not need to see a doctor every time you experience vaginal irritation or discharge, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with vaginal yeast infection in the past and are experiencing similar signs.

Vaginal yeast infections are considered complicated if:

Symptoms are severe and lead to tears, cracks or sores
Vaginal yeast infections recur four or more times a year
The yeast infection is caused by a not so common fungus
You are pregnant
You have diabetes that cannot be controlled, leading to more occurrences of vaginal yeast infections

Regular screening for vaginal yeast infections is recommended to catch any areas of concern before it becomes a problem.

Risks

What are the risks of getting a Vaginal Infection?

Unusual symptoms with your vagina as mentioned above
Recent changes in sexual partners
Multiple sexual partners
Having a recent partner who was recently diagnosed with a sexually transmitted illness

Treatment

How can a Vaginal Infection be treated in Singapore?

For vaginitis or vaginal yeast infection treatment, treatments usually come in the form of oral medications, creams or pessaries. Most doctors prescribe boric acid to treat vaginal yeast infections.

If you have vaginitis that is caused by sexually transmitted conditions, it’s also likely that the doctor will recommend your partner be tested and treated as well.

FAQ

Is it normal to have vaginal discharge everyday?

Most women experience mild discharge even between their periods. This may be a part of your normal hormonal changes throughout your cycle. However, it’s still important to determine the cause of any discharge that is excessive, persistent, or bloody that occurs at any time during your menstrual cycle.

How are screenings for Vaginal disorders conducted?

Before performing any tests, your doctor will first understand your full medical and sexual history. The doctor will also conduct a pelvis and vaginal examination. Depending on your own health, your doctor may want to perform tests such as a vaginal swab, pap smear, or possibly an ultrasound of the pelvis.

What is a High Vaginal Swab?

This test is similar to a pap smear and is performed with a speculum to obtain a sample from the vagina. The reason for performing this test is to check for infections such as a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, vaginal thrush symptoms and other types of sexually transmitted diseases.

Throughout this testing process, you should discuss any health concerns or testing concerns with your doctor.

If I don’t get treated, will this problem resolve on its own?

If you have a mild case of vaginitis or vaginal yeast infection, it’s possible that this problem will resolve on its own. However, if you have a more serious vaginal disorder, leaving it untreated can lead to problems down the road.

For example, untreated conditions can lead to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, and inflammation. Ignoring the symptoms can also lead to a delayed diagnosis or delayed treatment of cancer. This is why it is highly recommended to consult with a physician for diagnosis and treatment should the symptoms arise.

How can I reduce my risk of Vaginal Infection?

In order to reduce your risk of developing vaginitis or its severity in the future, there effective steps that you can take includes the following:

Practice safe sex and consider barrier contraception
Have regular sexual transmitted disease screening performed
Make sure that you and your partner are treated for any infections as needed
Avoid using feminine douching as this may lead to vaginitis

Sexual Health Women's Health