How to Spot the Signs and Symptoms of Common STIs

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can pose a serious threat to your sexual health, not to mention your overall wellbeing. But how do you know if an STI has affected your wellness? The Mayo Clinic warns, ‘You could have an STI and be asymptomatic — without any signs or symptoms. In fact, this happens with a lot of STIs. Even though you have no symptoms, you’re still at risk of passing the infection along to your sex partners. That’s why it’s important to use protection, such as a condom, during sex. And visit your doctor on a regular basis for STI screening, so you can identify a potential infection and get treated for it before passing it along to someone else.’ However, some STIs do appear with certain symptoms. So what do you watch out for?

 

1. Chlamydia: According to the Mayo Clinic, ‘Chlamydia is a bacterial infection of your genital tract. Chlamydia may be difficult for you to detect because early-stage infections often cause few or no signs and symptoms. When they do occur, they usually start one to three weeks after you’ve been exposed to chlamydia. Even when signs and symptoms do occur, they’re often mild and passing, making them easy to overlook.’ The signs and symptoms of chlamydia include:

• Painful urination


• Lower abdominal pain


• Vaginal discharge in women


• Discharge from the penis in men


• Pain during sexual intercourse in women


• Testicular pain in men

 

2. Gonorrhoea: ‘Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection of your genital tract,’ the Mayo Clinic explains. ‘The first gonorrhoea symptoms generally appear within two to 10 days after exposure. However, some people may be infected for months before signs or symptoms occur.’ You may have developed gonorrhoea if you experience:

• Thick, cloudy or bloody discharge from the penis or vagina


• Pain or burning sensation when urinating


• Abnormal menstrual bleeding


• Painful, swollen testicles


• Painful bowel movements


• Anal itching

 

3. Trichomoniasis: The Mayo Clinic details, ‘Trichomoniasis is a common STI caused by a microscopic, one-celled parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. This organism spreads during sexual intercourse with someone who already has the infection. The organism usually infects the urinary tract in men, but often causes no symptoms in men. Trichomoniasis typically infects the vagina in women. When trichomoniasis causes symptoms, they may range from mild irritation to severe inflammation.’ Signs and symptoms may include:

• Clear, white, greenish or yellowish vaginal discharge


• Discharge from the penis


• Strong vaginal odour


• Vaginal itching or irritation


• Itching or irritation inside the penis


• Pain during sexual intercourse


• Painful urination

 

4. HIV: ‘HIV is an infection with the human immunodeficiency virus,’ the Mayo Clinic notes. ‘HIV interferes with your body’s ability to effectively fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease, and it can lead to AIDS, a chronic, life-threatening disease. When first infected with HIV, you may have no symptoms at all. Some people develop a flu-like illness, usually two to six weeks after being infected…These early signs and symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for those of another viral infection. During this period, you are very infectious.’ The early HIV signs and symptoms may include:

• Fever


• Headache


• Sore throat


• Swollen lymph glands


• Rash


• Fatigue

 

The Mayo Clinic points out, ‘More persistent or severe symptoms of HIV infection may not appear for 10 years or more after the initial infection. As the virus continues to multiply and destroy immune cells, you may develop mild infections or chronic signs and symptoms.’ These include:

• Swollen lymph nodes — often one of the first signs of HIV infection


• Diarrhoea


• Weight loss


• Fever


• Cough and shortness of breath

 

The signs and symptoms of later stage HIV infection include:

• Persistent, unexplained fatigue


• Soaking night sweats


• Shaking chills or fever higher than 100.4 F (38 C) for several weeks


• Swelling of lymph nodes for more than three months


• Chronic diarrhoea


• Persistent headaches


• Unusual, opportunistic infections

 

Categories: bacterial infection, genital tract, HIV, hiv infection, lymph nodes, mayo clinic, painful urination, sexual intercourse, STIs, swollen lymph, Symptoms, vaginal discharge

Discharge Diagnosis: Are Your Vaginal Fluids Normal?

When you go through puberty, vaginal discharge is one of the changes you go through that can be a bit of a shock. However, not only is vaginal discharge perfectly normal, it’s also vital for your sexual health. Normal vaginal discharge has several purposes, including cleaning and lubricating your vagina, and helping to guard your wellbeing against infections. Throughout your menstrual cycle, it’s common for the colour, texture and amount of your vaginal fluids to vary. However, some changes in your discharge may indicate a problem with your wellness.

 

But before we get onto the bad changes in vaginal discharge, first we need to clarify exactly what’s normal and abnormal, so you will be able to recognise changes as and when they occur. As we’ve already covered, normal vaginal fluids can vary somewhat in texture and colour. You might find your discharge is thin, sticky and elastic, or it may be fairly thick and gooey. Healthy vaginal fluids will either be clear, white or off-white in colour. If this sounds familiar, then you are perfectly healthy down there. However, it’s important to keep an eye out for changes in your vaginal fluids, as these may indicate a problem.

• If you’re concerned about your vaginal fluids, ask yourself the following questions:


• Has there been a change in odour (especially an unpleasant odour)?


• Has there been change in colour? Does it look greenish, greyish, or anything looking like pus?


• Has there been a change in texture, such as becoming more foamy or looking like cottage cheese?


• Are you experiencing any itching, burning, swelling, or redness in your vagina?


• Has there been any unusual vaginal bleeding or spotting that is not a menstrual period?

 

There are many factors that can cause such changes in your vaginal fluids. If you have a vaginal infection, such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis (yeast infection) or trichomoniasis, this can change the colour and texture of your discharge, and is one of the more common reasons why women are affected by this. Abnormal vaginal discharge can also occur due to certain infections that spread by having sex, such as gonorrhoea. Some infections are transmitted sexually or non-sexually, such as bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection. As the causes of abnormal vaginal discharge can look very similar, let’s look at the above infections in a little more detail so you know which differences to look for:

 

1. Yeast infections: These tend not to have a strong smell, but may cause severe itching and burning in your vagina. In terms of your discharge, a yeast infection may cause the texture to become very white and thick, resembling cottage cheese.

 

2. Bacterial vaginosis (BV): Unlike yeast infections, BV may cause your discharge to have an unpleasant, fishy odour, and your fluids may be thin and greyish in colour.

 

3. Trichomoniasis: This is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause your discharge to become frothy and a yellow-green colour. Trichomoniasis also often causes vaginal itching and pain during urination, and may also develop a strong smell.

 

If you think you may have a problem or notice any changes in your vaginal discharge, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, or go to a health clinic. This is important for any girl to do, but especially if you have had sex. Many STIs cause changes in vaginal discharge, and so if you’ve had unprotected sex or sexual contact in which the condom broke or wasn’t properly used, you may be at risk. You should tell your doctor if there’s a chance you may be at risk to an STI.

Categories: abnormal vaginal, bacterial vaginosis, Bacterial vaginosis (BV), cottage cheese, normal vaginal, strong smell, vaginal discharge, vaginal fluids, yeast infection, Yeast Infections

Feeling Uncomfortable? A Yeast Infection Could be to Blame

Yeast infections are a common sexual health hazard, affecting the wellness and wellbeing of both men and women all over the world. Women are most commonly affected by the condition – in fact, around 75 percent of all women will have a yeast infection such as thrush during the course of their lifetime, and around 45 percent of women will have at least two or more yeast infections.

 

In the United States, vaginal yeast infections are the second most common cause of reportedly abnormal vaginal discharge. The first most common cause is bacterial vaginosis.

 

Yeast infections are particularly common during pregnancy, perhaps due to the chemical changes which occur in the vagina during pregnancy. During this time, there is basically more sugar in the vagina for the bacteria spores to feed on.

 

Around five percent of the women who have vaginal yeast infections develop recurrent infections, which is known as vulvogainal candidiasis, which is defined as having four or more episodes of thrush in a one year period. Most women who suffer from this do not have any underlying medical conditions which make them more likely to get the condition.

 

During episodes of thrush, women experience thick or clotted discharge which may have a slight odour. Whilst vaginal discharge is normal, it is usually clear or cloudy and should be non-irritating. Thrush and other yeast infections cause itching and inflammation and can be quite uncomfortable.

 

One way to avoid getting a yeast infection is to avoid washing the vagina with perfumed soaps, or using perfumed deodorants or even bubble bath as this can upset the normal Ph. and bacteria balance in the vagina.

 

Many vaginal yeast infections can clear up without any treatment, however, there are cases when it can develop into something more serious, so you should make sure that you treat any and all episodes of vaginal yeast infection.

Categories: Infections, nbsp, thrush, vagina, vaginal, vaginal discharge, vaginal yeast, Women, yeast, yeast infection, Yeast Infections

Not a Dirty Subject: Let’s Talk About Discharge

Having discharge is a normal part of female sexual wellness and wellbeing, but many women feel embarrassed to talk about it and so don’t know what is normal and what is not. The vagina produces these secretions in order to stay healthy clean, protected against germs and infections and lubricated.

 

Normal vaginal discharge will be transparent and should be either odourless or have a very mild odour. It can look white at times and the amount varies due to hormonal changes at different times of the month. The amount also varies between women.

 

Some young girls find that before their periods start, they begin to get vaginal discharge, and this is totally normal. It is a sign that the hormone levels are changing in the body and that it is gearing up for the arrival of puberty and menstruation. It could still be six months to a year before your first period arrives following on from this increase in discharge.

 

Most women don’t need to take any special considerations for their vaginal discharge, although others feel more comfortable if they are wearing some kind of thin liner or pad when it is at its heaviest.

 

Vaginal discharge changes throughout the month in response to the various stage of the menstrual cycle and also environmental factors too. When ovulation occurs, the cervix generally produces more fluid, theoretically to help the sperm pass through the cervix and fertilise the egg. Women who are in the middle of their cycle may notice that their discharge becomes heavier and also sticker, like egg white.

 

Pregnancy can also cause an increase in vaginal discharge, as can sexual arousal, and you may also find that there are other factors that can lead to a change in your vaginal discharge, such as stress, certain drugs (such as contraceptives), diet changes and breastfeeding.

Categories: discharge, nbsp, normal, vaginal, vaginal discharge, Women

Thrush: What Is It and Do You Have the Signs?

The majority of women will deal with a bout of thrush at some point in their lives, and it is a common infection. Thrush is caused by a yeast fungus which is known as Candida spp. There are a number of treatments available, including an oral tablet and pessaries which are inserted into the vagina to treat the infection internally. There is also an anti-thrush cream which staves off the itching symptoms which are commonly associated with this problem. Although treatment is usually effective, some women repeatedly develop thrush. Small numbers of candida spp live on the skin and in the vaginal area, which are normally harmless. Your immune system generally stops the bacteria from developing further, but due to the nature of where the bacteria thrives it can sometimes develop because the vagina is a warm and moist environment where bacteria can develop. Other areas where candida infections can be caused include the groin, mouth and nappy area in infants, for the same reason.

 

The second most common reason for vaginal discharge is thrush, with the first being bacterial vaginosis. The discharge from the vagina is usually creamy and white, but it can also be thin and watery. This can lead to itchiness and redness, as well as pain and discomfort in this area. You may find that having sex or passing urine is painful as well. Although thrush doesn’t harm the vagina, it can be uncomfortable – it sometimes clears itself without the need for treatment, but often it requires an anti-fungal treatment in order to clear the infection fully. If you’re pregnant, there is no risk to your baby. More than half of all women get at least one bout of thrush in their lifetime, usually with no specific cause. There are conditions which increase the risk though, such as new medications, the vagina naturally making mucus which gives the bacteria a place to thrive, or if your natural defences are down and your internal balance is shifted. Although you don’t always need a test to diagnose this problem, don’t assume that all vaginal discharge is thrush – there can be many causes for discharge, so you will need to speak to your GP in order to determine if what you have is indeed vaginal thrush.

 

As previously mentioned, there are several forms of treatment, which work quickly and effectively to treat the infection and stave off the itchy symptoms. But there are also ways you can prevent vagina thrush from developing. These include wearing cotton underwear, as opposed to polyester, so that the skin can breathe and your genital area doesn’t become too moist and hot. You should avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes for the same reason. It may also be helpful to avoid using perfumed products in the vaginal area, such as soaps and shower gels which may cause further irritation. There are some ‘natural’ remedies which offer little scientific proof of effectiveness, but that some women find to be soothing and helpful with regards to symptoms. These include inserting live yogurt into the vagina, adding a little vinegar or bicarbonate of soda to your bath to alter the acidity of the vagina, or using a tampon which has been impregnated with tea tree oil. Thrush is not a sexually transmitted disease, and male partners don’t need to be treated unless they have symptoms on the tip of their penis – these include redness or itching of the penis, or a soreness in the foreskin. However, women can’t catch thrush from men who have no symptoms.

Categories: area, Bacteria, candida spp, female health, thrush, vagina, vaginal, vaginal area, vaginal discharge, Women