Symptoms of a Yeast Infection
Q: How do I know if I have a yeast infection? I thought I had one a few years ago and so I ended up using an over-the-counter remedy. It went away, or so I thought. However, this time, the symptoms are different so I’m unsure if it really is a yeast infection or not. I have thick discharge that is white and has a distinct odor that gets stronger throughout the day. It’s pretty itchy—that’s the big difference from the last time. I wasn’t itchy at all then. What are the symptoms of a yeast infection and how do I know if I have one?
A: Common symptoms of yeast infection include vaginal itching, burning during urination and/or sex, pain during sex, soreness, swelling around the vagina, or a rash. A thick discharge that does not have a “fishy” smell is often seen as well. If, however, the discharge has a foul odor and is more yellow than white, then you might be dealing with a bacterial infection instead. If you suspect you have a yeast infection, then using an over the counter antifungal treatment is a good place to start. To prevent them in the future, you should consider wearing cotton underwear, loose-fitting clothing, avoid vaginal perfumes, sprays or douches, try washing the area after sex, using probiotics if taking antibiotic medication, and possibly switching your birth control pill. Remember that yeast develops in moist and warm environments.
Using Vaginal Products
Q: I keep seeing these products advertised to me and they appealed to me. I thought of buying one or another, but I thought I’d ask a pro first. What are your thoughts on Vagisil pH balance shower gel or Vagisil wipes? Are they helpful or harmful?
A: The word I would use is neither “hurtful” nor “harmful” but rather “unnecessary.” Vaginas are self-cleaning organs and thus do not require products to clean them. Mild soap and water are all that is needed. Unfortunately, women have been made to believe that vaginas are smelly and should smell like flowers. This is false. Companies have made fortunes selling feminine hygiene products to women who believe this to be true (this includes douches). In fact, putting anything scented in your vagina is not a good idea as it could mess with the pH levels that naturally occur. Bottom line: you only need to wash the outside of your vulva with mild soap.