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Vaginal Infections

There are a number of vaginal infections that can affect a woman during her life, and the majority of women will experience at least one at some point. The likelihood is that these infections won’t be severe, and will go away of their own accord. In some cases, they can develop into more serious conditions if left unattended. There are a number of symptoms that could suggest a vaginal infection, and any woman experiencing such symptoms should make an appointment with their local GP or gynaecologist as soon as possible.

Glands in the vagina secrete a mucous that both lubricates the vagina and creates helpful bacteria that fight off infection. If something affects these glands, or the acidity of the vagina, harmful bacteria can take hold and cause problems. Many women who have been through menopause will experience vaginal infections, as these glands won’t function properly anymore.

Symptoms of vaginal infection include an unpleasant odour, white or yellow vaginal discharge that is thicker in consistency than normal, tenderness or pain in the vagina or the surrounding area, pain during sex or any abnormal bleeding. These symptoms may not necessarily indicate the presence of a vaginal infection. They may point to other conditions such as menstrual abnormalities, or they may be insignificant occurrences. It is important that any woman suffering from these symptoms arranges to have them looked at. Though there is a chance that nothing is wrong, there is always the possibility of a severe underlying condition.

To diagnose a vaginal infection, a GP or gynaecologist will examine the skin in and around the vagina for any signs of problems, and may perform a smear test to examine the cells inside the vagina. There are many different types of vaginal infection that could be causing the symptoms the patient is experiencing. Different symptoms may suggest different problems. Thrush is a common vaginal infection that occurs when the composition of the fluids in the vagina changes slightly, causing a certain fungus to thrive. Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that occurs when harmful bacteria begin to grow inside the vagina. This is also caused by anything that changes the composition of the cells and fluids in the vagina.

Many women will also experience sexually transmitted infections. These can be avoided by practising safe sex. They include Chlamydia, herpes, genital warts and a number of other complications. Most can be treated relatively easily.