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Infections |
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The OB/GYN will help you determine if you have an infection. There are lots of different types of infections that may creep into your reproductive system. Many women get infections in their lifetime. As long as you treat them and talk to your doctor, they can be easily kept under control. In some cases, the symptoms of common infections are similar to those of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Your doctor will help determine what’s going on and decide what steps to take to get rid of the infection. Bacterial Vaginosis is a general term to describe a bacterial infection of the vagina, the most common vaginal infection. This occurs when an abnormal balance of naturally occurring bacteria is present, and is characterized by a yellow or green discharge with a strong odor. Remember that this is not totally gross, because bacteria already live in your vagina. If the symptoms are not apparent, the condition will usually clear up on its own. A doctor can prescribe a treatment for the symptoms as well.
Yeast Infection is acommon condition too. In fact 75% of all women will develop a yeast infection in their lifetime. You have yeast in your vagina all the time. But sometimes the yeast will grow too rapidly, and this will cause a burning feeling during urination, itching around the opening to your vagina and a white, heavy or clumpy and odorless discharge. A yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is often caused by certain medications, usually antibiotics. These medications kill off certain bacteria that usually help to keep the yeast in your vagina under control. See your doctor if you are not sure if you have a yeast infection, or if you have never had one before. Over-the-counter medications are available at pharmacies, but as a rule, you should check with your doctor before using them. Often women think they have yeast infections when they really have a different infection. Your provider may advise you to try an over-the-counter yeast infection medication and call back for an appointment if that doesn’t clear it up – but it’s best to check with a doctor first.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is not an infection of the reproductive system; it affects the urinary tract. It means that a bacteria has gotten into your bladder or kidney and has multiplied in your urine. Your urine doesn’t usually have bacteria in it, so this causes a reaction in your body. A UTI will make you feel like you have to pee all the time. But when you go to the bathroom, only a little bit of urine will come out. Other symptoms include pain when you urinate, “dribbling” (can’t control urine release), red or pink urine, cloudy urine, foul-smelling urine, nausea and vomiting, pain in your back just below the rib cage and on one side of your body, or fever and chills. Bladder infections can be treated fairly easily and quickly. Talk to your doctor about treatment options. You can help to prevent UTIs by drinking lots of water and liquids throughout the day and by drinking cranberry or blueberry juice and taking vitamin C. Also, if you urinate frequently and don’t hold it in, you will also help to prevent UTIs. If you are sexually active, you can take steps to prevent getting a UTI. After intercourse make sure to urinate and wash the skin that covers the opening to your urethra (where the urine leaves your body). |
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