You should also see the doctor if you’re sexually active and could have an STI, the discharge is malodorous, you have atrophic symptoms and are of perimenopausal or menopausal age, or if you have a sexual partner, either male or female, with trichomoniasis. When you go to the doctor, she will perform a pelvic exam to examine the vaginal vault and the vulva to check for inflammation and swelling and obtain a sample of discharge for examination. She will also examine your cervix to determine if there is any discharge coming from the cervix itself, indicating a cervicitis, which can be a STI such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. She may take swabs from the cervix or have you submit a urine specimen to double check for these STIs. [4] X Research source Hainer, Barry L. and Maria V. Gibson, Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment American Family Physician 20ll , April 1, 83, (7)
This often develops in women who use douches, have multiple sexual partners, and who smoke. [6] X Research source Hainer, Barry L. and Maria V. Gibson, Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment American Family Physician 20ll , April 1, 83, (7)
She might also perform a whiff test, which is where she will check for the characteristic fishy smell. [9] X Research source Hainer, Barry L. and Maria V. Gibson, Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment American Family Physician 20ll , April 1, 83, (7)
A similar but newer antibiotic, tinidazole, or Tindamax, may also be prescribed. You take one 2 mg pill once a day for a week. [11] X Research source Hainer, Barry L. and Maria V. Gibson, Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment American Family Physician 20ll , April 1, 83, (7)
You can also try eating yogurt with a probiotic every day. You should also avoid douching. Your natural vaginal secretions are intended to keep the vagina cleansed and it needs nothing more than external cleansing with soap and water to be cleaned properly.
The symptoms include complaints of a thick, cottage cheese-like discharge. This is accompanied by an itchy and irritated sensation around the vulva and vagina. This can make those areas irritated and sensitive. Some women may get recurrent episodes, which are described as four or more infections per year. However, this is rare. [14] X Research source Ringdahl, Erika N. Treatment of Recurrent Vulvovaginal Candidiasis, Am Fam Physician, 2000 Jun 1. 61(11): 3306-3312
Try not to over self-diagnose. If you simply tell your doctor you have a yeast infection without proper examination, your family provider might call in a prescription in an attempt to be helpful. This may not be helpful because you could have a more insidious disease, such as an STI. [17] X Research source Hainer, Barry L. and Maria V. Gibson, Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment American Family Physician 20ll , April 1, 83, (7)
Most of the topical medications have similar medical safety and efficacy. You can get different variations that differ in the number of times you need to apply them. You can get a cream or cream suppository that you only use once, but you can also get creams that you need to use for up to a week. If you think you might have trouble remembering to apply a nightly cream, the single dose oral therapy might be better for you. However, in general, this method will be more expensive and may require a prescription. [20] X Research source Hainer, Barry L. and Maria V. Gibson, Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment American Family Physician 20ll , April 1, 83, (7)
This disease is sexually transmitted, so if you think you have it, you should let your sexual partner know so both partners can be tested and treated before resuming intercourse. If one of you is diagnosed then both of you need treatment.
There can be doctor discrepancy. Because of this, your doctor may also perform more standardized testing, such as a PCR assay to determine exactly what disease you have. You may also be given a pap smear as well. If this is not treated in pregnant women, there can be complications when giving birth such as low birth weight and prematurity due to a premature rupture of membranes (PROM). [23] X Research source Wendall, Karen A. and Kimberly Workowski, Trichomoniasis: Challenges to Appropriate Management Clinical Infectious Disease, Supplement 3, S123- S129
Some studies recommend the use of Tindamax for trich as well. If prescribed, you will only have to take one 2 mg dose. This medication has a cure rate between 86-100%. [25] X Research source Wendall, Karen A. and Kimberly Workowski, Trichomoniasis: Challenges to Appropriate Management Clinical Infectious Disease, Supplement 3, S123- S129
It is often accompanied by pelvic floor weakness and other genitourinary symptoms that predispose you to urinary tract infections. These other disorders should be ruled out by your doctor with a test. [27] X Research source Bachmann, Gloria A. and Nicole S Nevadunsky, Diagnosis and Treatment of Atrophic Vaginitis, American Family Physician, 2000 May 15, 61(10), 3090-3096
HRT is taken daily in pill form. An alternative to HRT is called Osphena, taken once a day to treat vaginitis.
To treat contact dermatitis vaginitis, you should remove the object that is causing the issue. This may take some investigation, but you should try to find what you are allergic to as soon as possible to relieve the symptoms. You can then use steroid creams that are available over the counter, such as hydrocortisone cream 1%, and apply them to the area twice a day for five days. This will reduce the signs of itchiness and inflammation. You can also take antihistamines such as Zyrtec or Claritin to help with the reaction. Take one 10 mg tablet daily. In severe cases, you may want to see a physician for a prednisone taper to get immediate relief. [32] X Research source Hainer, Barry L. and Maria V. Gibson, Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment American Family Physician 20ll , April 1, 83, (7)
