Risk Factors And Treatment:
Sexual activity, especially if with many partners, increases the risk of getting infected by C. trachomatis. This infection is most often treated with the antibiotics doxycycline or azithromycin. Children and older people who are in crowded conditions are at increased risk of catching C. pneumoniae since it is spread by respiratory secretions of sick people. Antibiotics are given to treat this condition as well.
In Men Untreated Chlamydia Can Lead To:
- Epididymitis painful inflammation of the inner structures of the testicles, which may cause reduced fertility or sterility. A rare complication of Epididymitisis reactive arthritis, which causes pain in the inflamed joints that can be disabling
- Prostatitis
- Occasionally, Reiters syndrome
- Urethritis inflammation of the urethra with a yellow discharge appearing at the tip of the penis. Untreated urethritis results in narrowing of the urethra which leads to painful urinating and can cause kidney problems
Rules For Successful Treatment
The patient should make sure that the doctor is informed if the patient is pregnant or has any allergies. These conditions influence the choice of the medicine prescribed. No matter which antibiotic the patient takes treating chlamydia the following points should be remembered:
- The treatment of all partners on the infected person is obligatory
- Abstain from sex contacts during the treatment and until the negative result on chlamydia test is received
- It is unadvisable to interrupt the course of antibiotics treatment as it will result in the necessity to start again from the beginning. Although the symptoms may disappear, the infection may still remain in the body
- It is necessary to get tested after 34 months after the end of the treatment to make sure the infection is no longer in the body.
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Vaginal Itching Due To Chemical Irritants
Like itching in other areas, vaginal itching is often the result of exposure to an irritant. In this case, any soap or chemical product you use on your vagina or vulva or on clothing that touches the area can cause irritation.
Sometimes the culprit is something obvious, like a new lubricant or spermicide. Other times the itching is actually the result of the detergent or fabric softener used on clothing. Even a douche, which is actually used to cleanse the vagina, can cause irritation for some women. This is one of the many reasons why you should avoid douching.
If your vaginal itching is a fairly new development, look at any products you’ve started using recently. Have you switched to a new brand of contraceptive foam or spermicidal condom? Are you using a different brand of detergent or fabric softener in your laundry? If so, the newly introduced chemical may be the culprit.
When your vaginal itching is persistent over a long period of time, irritants may still be to blame. If itching is your only symptom, try changing the products you use for contraception, cleansing and laundry.
For lubricant, consider trying a fragrance-free, water-based lubricant or coconut oil . Use polyisoprene condoms to see if you have a latex allergy.
Also avoid vaginal wipes or deodorants.
Be sure to only change one product at a time so that you can correctly identify the cause of the issue.
Allergies Or Other Skin Conditions
Cleaning products can trigger symptoms if youâre allergic to one or more of their ingredients. Soaps and feminine hygiene products can sometimes do this, as can laundry detergents.
Certain skin conditions can also cause itching and other symptoms. They sometimes require treatment with steroid ointments like hydrocortisone.
Small cuts can even feel itchy and irritated while theyâre healing.
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Is It A Vaginal Yeast Infection Or Something Else
Every year, millions of cases of vaginitis affect women of all ages, but they are especially susceptible during the reproductive years.1 Fluctuating hormonal levels, bacteria, and sexual activities are just a few of the most common reasons women experience vaginal infections and discomfort. Knowing your body well and understanding your symptoms, causes, risk factors and treatment options will help you decide upon a course of action that is right for you.
What Is Candida Or Yeast Infections
Yeast infections, as they are commonly called, are caused by one of the many species of fungus known as candida. It normally lives in the vagina in small numbers. Candida can also be present in the mouth and digestive tract in both men and women.
Yeast is normally present and well-balanced in the vagina. Infection occurs when something upsets this normal balance. For example, taking an antibiotic to treat another infection may upset this balance. In this case, the antibiotic kills the bacteria that normally protects and balances the yeast in the vagina. In turn, the yeast overgrows, causing an infection. Other factors that can cause imbalance include a weak immune system, pregnancy, and diabetes.
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When It Isnt A Yeast Infection: Stds & Other Health Issues
Yeast infections can resemble other vaginal health issues. If you are treating your symptoms and arent experiencing any relief for weeks, then you likely need a doctor to prescribe stronger medication or you need to get tested or examined for other vaginal health issues. Here are some other things you could be experiencing:
What Does Vagina Smell Like With No Discharge
Vaginas have an odor, and it varies with every woman. Not every woman has the same vaginal odor. However, in case of a healthy vagina with no trace of fishy odor no discharge smells fleshy and musky. It doesnt have an unpleasant smell. Vaginal odor without discharge varies every day with different activities.
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Chemicals Allergies And Vaginal Irritation
Vaginal itching and irritation may be caused by an infection, but sometimes a different culprit is to blame: chemical irritation or allergies.
Chemicals in products such as scented soap, bubble bath, coloured toilet paper, laundry detergents, douches, latex condoms, IUDs, diaphragms, spermicides, or feminine hygiene products can irritate the delicate tissues of the vagina, leading to itching and irritation.
Women may also become allergic to certain substances, such as sperm, dyes, soaps, birth control products , and hygiene products. With allergies, the woman’s immune system overreacts to these substances, leading to vaginal irritation, itching, and burning.
Management of chemical irritation or allergies involves finding out which chemical or substance is causing your symptoms so that you can avoid it. Your doctor can help you narrow down the cause and give you tips on how to cope until the reaction goes away. Your doctor will also help rule out other possible causes for your symptoms, such as infections, decreased estrogen levels due to menopause, or skin conditions.
Vaginal irritation and itching can also be caused by other conditions, and some of these conditions can cause serious complications if they are not properly diagnosed and treated. That’s why it’s important to see your doctor to find out the cause of your symptoms and get appropriate treatment, rather than trying to treat the problem yourself.
Treatments For Yeast Infections And Bv
Doctors usually diagnose vaginal infections by taking your history and checking a vaginal swab.
As mentioned, yeast infections can be treated with OTC antifungal medications, which come in many forms, including pills, creams and suppositories that are inserted into the vagina. Your doctor may also prescribe oral antifungal medication.
BV is treated with antibiotics that are only available with a prescription. You should see improvements in your symptoms within a day or two of starting treatment.
In either case, if your symptoms arent improving within a week of starting medication, follow up with your doctor, as he or she may need to reexamine the diagnosis or try a different treatment.
If you suspect a yeast infection that doesnt get better quickly or BV, talk to your primary care doctor or OB-GYN. If youd like to make an appointment with an OB-GYN, you can find one here.
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Vaginal Yeast Infection Vs Chlamydia Differences
VYI is a disease that exists in females and is caused by a fungus known as Candida, with symptoms including painful sex, intense vulvar or vaginal itching, burning during urination, odorless discharge, vulvar rash, or sore vagina.
It is not considered a sexually transmitted infection.
On the other hand, chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection that is caused by the bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis and is most prevalent in women under 25 , with symptoms including abnormal vaginal discharge, burning while peeing, lower belly pain, and pain during sex.
Images credit Shutterstock
Things You Might Mistake For A Yeast Infection
Yeast infections don’t have a monopoly on itching, burning, and weird discharge.
For SELF, by Zahra Barnes.
In today’s roundup of extremely obvious statements: The sky is blue, grass is green, and no one wants to get a yeast infection. But unfortunately, for some people with vaginas, they’re a fact of life. These annoying infections happen due to an overgrowth of the naturally occurring fungus Candida albicans, and they’re pretty common, affecting three out of every four women in their lifetimes, according to Mayo Clinic.
Since yeast infections aren’t exactly rare, when you experience those hallmark symptoms–itching is the biggest one, followed by strange discharge and burning–you may immediately diagnose yourself, pop over to the pharmacy, and pick up some over-the-counter meds. Only issue is, quite a few other meddlesome vaginal issues can cause similar symptoms but necessitate wildly different treatments. Here, ob/gyns walk you through the most common ones.
1. Chlamydia and gonorrhea “Yeast infections tend to produce inflammation, which is why you get those symptoms,” Idries Abdur-Rahman, M.D., a board-certified ob/gyn, tells SELF. “Anything that causes or mimics inflammation can cause similar ones,” he explains. Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea fit the bill.
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Yeast Infection Std Or Something Else
If you suspect that you have a vaginal yeast infection, youre most likely in a hurry to get rid of it. Yeast infections are uncomfortable, and are usually accompanied by itching, burning, and thick discharge.
Before you run to the pharmacy, though, its important to determine if what youre experiencing is indeed a yeast infection or something else. Other causes of vaginal pain and discomfort include bacterial infections, sexually transmitted diseases , skin irritation, and more. While the symptoms are similar, the causes and treatments are very different.
Do I Have Chlamydia Or A Yeast Infection
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!
HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.
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Why A Diagnosis Is So Important
Clearly, a topical treatment intended for Candida will not help if Candida is not the cause of your symptoms. Some infections caused by bacteria or parasites will have temporary symptoms that go away, making it look like your self-medication worked but only the symptoms are gone. The infection may still be there, even though you cant feel it, and it could be doing damage. If you use a yeast infection medication and the symptoms disappear, you could be lulled into thinking all your problems are gone, when theyre not.
You should definitely see your doctor if you try a non-prescription yeast infection treatment and it doesnt work, even if youve had a yeast infection before and the symptoms seem obvious. The same can be said if you try one of the natural yeast infection cures, but your symptoms dont clear up.
Your doctor may be able to diagnose your symptoms without a laboratory test, but if shes not sure, your doctor will take a swab from the affected area and send it for culture in the lab.
You should also ask your doctor for a complete work-up if your yeast infections keep coming back. The chronic infections could be a way for your body to tell you that something much more serious is going on, such as diabetes, a thyroid disorder, leukemia, or AIDS.
Important Note:
bacterial
How It Is Done
You will take off your clothes below the waist and drape a gown around your waist. You will then lie on your back on an examination table with your feet raised and supported by stirrups. This allows your doctor to look at the genital area.
Your doctor will put a smooth, curved speculum into your vagina. The speculum gently spreads apart the vaginal walls, which allows your doctor to see the inside of the vagina and the cervix.
Samples of fluid inside the vagina are taken with a swab or spatula. The sample is put on a slide for testing.
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How Can I Cure A Yeast Infection
Yeast infections are luckily easy to kick. Over-the-counter remedies include creams to help with the itching and antifungal suppositories that you put up your vagina to cure yourself. If youâre more into home remedies, you can try yogurt and garlic, apple cider vinegar, or boric acid suppositories. And, if youâre really not able to get rid of it, you can ask your doctor for a one-day antibiotic pill, which will get you cleared up in a hurry.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection
The following are the most common symptoms of a candida infection:
-
A thick, white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge that is watery and usually odorless
-
Itching and redness of the vulva and vagina
-
Pain with urination or sex
The symptoms of a vaginal candida infection may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis.
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Symptoms Of A Yeast Infection
The most common symptoms of a yeast infection include:
- Itching
- Burning
- Thick, white discharge that has a cottage cheese consistency
Other symptoms to keep in mind may include redness and swelling, pain with urination, and pain with sexual intercourse.
When To See A Doctor
If youve never had a yeast infection before or you have symptoms that resemble those of another health issue, such as a STI, you may want to talk to a healthcare provider.
Its also a good idea to seek medical care if you have severe symptoms, such as sores or tears in your skin.
If you get yeast infections regularly, or more than four in a year, a healthcare provider can also help identify whats causing these frequent infections and help you find relief.
You should also follow up if OTC or prescription treatments dont cause at least some improvement in your symptoms after a few days.
Avoid going through multiple rounds of treatment without consulting your healthcare provider first. Otherwise, you could develop a resistance to the medication.
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What Else Could It Be
What if your vagina is itchy, your discharge is different than usual, or you start experiencing pain when you pee or have sex , but your home test shows it’s not a yeast infection? There are a bunch of other things that can cause these symptoms. Unfortunately, all of these require going to the doctor to check out, because they don’t have home tests, and most also require medications to clear up. Letâs learn about them!
One note about vaginal discharge. It changes throughout your menstrual cycle, and thatâs totally normal. It can range from no color at all to a milky white, and the amount can also change during your cycle â for instance, most people discharge more when theyâre ovulating, and of course, when theyâre turned on! So if the only symptom you have is more discharge than usual, you probably donât need to panic.
OK, now let’s learn about the other things that itchiness and unusual discharge might be.
When To See Your Doctor
If you are experiencing symptoms of an infection, but think that it might not be a yeast infection, use the Vaginal Health Test from MONISTAT® CARE to help determine if you need to see a doctor.
Make an appointment with your doctor if:
- It’s your first yeast infection
- You’re under 12 years of age
- You get an abnormal result from the Vaginal Health Test from MONISTAT® CARE
- You have missed a period, are pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have or suspect you may have diabetes
- You’re taking the prescription drug Warfarin
- You have a weakened immune system
- You have recurring yeast infections
- You may have been exposed to HIV
- You develop other symptoms such as rash, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, lower abdominal, back or shoulder pain
- You have foul-smelling or greenish-grayish vaginal discharge
- You’re using MONISTAT® and there is no improvement in symptoms within 3 days
- You’re using MONISTAT® and symptoms last more than 7 days
If you are unsure of what to ask or uncomfortable speaking with your doctor regarding yeast infection concerns, download our
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Preventing The Spread Of Infection
It is absolutely necessary to inform the partner if you get a positive test for Chlamydia. The sooner the partner is told the more effective and simple the treatment can be. Make sure your partner gets tested and receives the treatment as well and abstain from the intercourse until the treatment of both you and the partner is finished.