Home Remedies for Vaginal Yeast Infections
What Causes Burning In The Vagina?
1. Irritation
Certain things can irritate the skin of the vagina when they come into direct contact with it. This is known as contact dermatitis.
Irritants that can cause contact dermatitis include soaps, fabrics, and perfumes. As well as burning, other signs and symptoms include:
The main treatment for irritation is to avoid whatever is causing it. Avoiding the irritant and not itching the area allow the skin to heal. Sometimes, a person may require medication.
2. Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that occurs when there is too much of a certain type of bacteria in the vagina, affecting the normal balance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BV is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15–44.
One symptom of BV is a burning sensation in the vagina, which can also occur when urinating.
BV does not always cause symptoms. When it does, symptoms can include:
Having BV can increase a person's risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If someone develops symptoms of BV, they should be checked and treated by a doctor. Treatment for this condition will often involve a course of antibiotics.
3. Yeast infection
An infection in the vagina caused by yeast can lead to a burning sensation. The medical term for this is candidiasis, and it is also known as thrush.
Associated symptoms include:
Many women get yeast infections, but some women are more likely to develop an infection if they:
Treatment is usually an antifungal medicine, which a woman can either apply directly in the form of a cream or take orally as a capsule.
4. Urinary tract infection
Different parts of the urinary tract can become infected, including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys.
A woman with a urinary tract infection (UTI) will likely feel burning in the vagina when urinating. Other symptoms of a UTI include:
Doctors will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections. In general, an infection will clear up in around 5 days after starting a course of antibiotics.
Repeat prescriptions may be required if an infection returns.
5. Trichomoniasis
Also known as trich, this is a very common STD in the United States. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite that is passed from one person to another during sexual intercourse.
Only around 30 percent of people with trich show any symptoms. As well as a burning sensation in the vagina, these symptoms may include:
Trichomoniasis is treated using metronidazole or tinidazole, which are pills taken by mouth.
6. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is an infection where bacteria called Neisseria gonorrheae infect mucous membranes, such as the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. It is typically transmitted through sexual contact with someone who has the infection.
This STD is particularly common in people aged 15 to 24. Women can experience vaginal burning when urinating, as well as these symptoms:
Gonorrhea can be cured with the right medical treatment.
7. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and is typically transmitted through sexual contact with someone who has the infection.
Research suggests that at least 70 percent of people with chlamydia experience no symptoms, which is why the condition is sometimes known as a "silent" infection.
When symptoms do occur, they can include a burning sensation in the vagina, as well as:
Chlamydia is treated using antibiotics. The most commonly prescribed is doxycycline.
8. Genital herpes
Genital herpes is caused by skin-to-skin contact with a person with the herpes virus. It is estimated that around 1 in 6 people in the U.S. Aged 14 to 49 have genital herpes, and women are more prone to infection than men.
Once a person has the virus, it stays with them for life. However, they may not develop any signs or symptoms until the virus becomes active.
If the virus becomes active, they might experience a burning sensation in the vagina. Other symptoms include:
Painful sores, blisters, or ulcers may also develop after a few days.
The symptoms of genital herpes can be treated with antiviral medication but never cured.
9. Menopause
The shifting levels of hormones in a woman's body before she enters menopause can affect the vagina. Vaginal burning is one possible result of these changes, especially during sex.
Other common symptoms of menopause transition include:
Not all women entering menopause have treatment to relieve symptoms, but there are often options available that a doctor can outline, including hormone therapy.
10. Genital contact allergies
The immune systems in some women can become hypersensitive to certain substances.
These substances can cause allergic irritation when they come into contact with the vagina, including:
Treatment mainly involves avoiding the substance that is causing the irritation. Patch testing using the suspected allergen to stimulate a controlled reaction in a clinical setting can help to identify which substance is creating the burning sensation.
Causes Of Heavy Vaginal Discharge
Some vaginal discharge is a sign of a healthy female reproductive system. Heavy vaginal discharge can occur due to arousal, ovulation, or infections.
Normal vaginal discharge contains a mixture of cervical mucus, vaginal fluid, dead cells, and bacteria. Females may experience heavy vaginal discharge from arousal or during ovulation.
This articles discusses why someone may have heavy vaginal discharge and what they can do about it.
Sexual arousal triggers several physical responses in the body. Arousal increases blood flow in the genitals. As a result, the blood vessels enlarge, which pushes fluid to the surface of the vaginal walls.
Arousal fluid is clear and watery with a slippery texture. This fluid helps lubricate the vagina during sex.
Other signs of female arousal include:
Cervical fluid is a gel-like liquid that contains proteins, carbohydrates, and amino acids. The texture and amount of cervical fluid both change throughout a female's menstrual cycle.
For example, after menstruation, cervical fluid has a thick, mucus-like texture. It can be cloudy, white, or yellow.
Estrogen levels increase closer to ovulation. This causes the cervical fluid to become clear and slippery, similar to that of raw egg whites.
Cervical fluid discharge increases during the days leading up to ovulation and decreases after ovulation. Females may have no discharge for a few days after their period.
Hormonal imbalances related to stress, diet, or underlying medical conditions can cause heavier vaginal discharge.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for example, refers to a set of symptoms that occur as a result of hormonal imbalances. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PCOS affects up to 5 million females in the United States.
Those with PCOS have higher levels of male hormones called androgens. Increased androgen levels can:
Not everyone with PCOS will have increased vaginal discharge. Paying attention to other PCOS symptoms may help someone identify and seek treatment for the condition faster.
Some other symptoms of PCOS to look out for include:
Hormonal birth control, such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices, can also cause increased vaginal discharge, especially during the first few months of use.
Excess vaginal discharge and other symptoms, such as spotting and cramping, usually resolve once the body adjusts to the hormonal birth control.
Vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vagina, which can occur from an infection or irritation due to factors such as douches, lubricants, and ill-fitting clothing.
Vaginitis can cause thick vaginal discharge that may be white, gray, yellow, or green.
Other symptoms of vaginitis include:
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that results from an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. This vaginal infection is the most common among females aged 15–44 years.
The exact cause of bacterial vaginosis remains unclear. Females can develop bacterial vaginosis after sexual intercourse. However, this condition is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
According to the Office on Women's Health, those who have bacterial vaginosis may notice a milky or gray-colored vaginal discharge. Some also report a strong, fishy vaginal odor, especially after sexual intercourse.
Bacterial vaginosis can also cause:
Vaginal yeast infections result from an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. Females of all ages can develop a vaginal yeast infection, and nearly 70% will have a yeast infection at some point in their lives.
The most common symptom of a vaginal yeast infection is an intense itching in the vagina and vulva.
Vaginal yeast infections can also cause an odorless vaginal discharge that looks similar to cottage cheese.
Vaginal yeast infections are treatable at home using over-the-counter antifungal ointments. Symptoms should improve within a few days. However, severe infections can last longer and may require medical treatment.
Trichomoniasis is an STI caused by a parasite. Females can develop trichomoniasis after having sex with someone who has the parasite.
Although most people who have trichomoniasis do not experience symptoms, some may have an itching or burning sensation in the genital area.
Trichomoniasis infections can also cause excess vaginal discharge that has a foul or fishy odor and a white, yellow, or green color. It may also be thinner than usual.
Healthy vaginal discharge varies from person to person. It also changes throughout their menstrual cycle.
In general, healthy vaginal discharge can appear thin and watery or thick and cloudy. Clear, white, or off-white vaginal discharge is also perfectly normal.
Some females may have brown, red, or black vaginal discharge at the end of their menstrual periods if their vaginal discharge still contains blood from the uterus.
Natural hormonal changes during ovulation can cause an increase in vaginal discharge, which should return to normal after ovulation.
It is not always necessary to see a doctor about excessive vaginal discharge. However, a female may want to consider seeing their doctor if their vaginal discharge has an abnormal appearance.
Yellow, green, gray, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge could indicate an infection. Other reasons to see a doctor include:
Treating excess vaginal discharge depends on the underlying cause.
People can reduce symptoms of vaginitis by avoiding the source of irritation. Doctors can treat bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections using antibiotics or antifungals.
Doctors can also treat trichomoniasis using antibiotics. The CDC recommend that females wait 7–10 days after receiving treatment before having sex.
Treatment for PCOS varies depending on the individual. A doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and medications to help people manage their symptoms and regulate their hormone levels.
Maintaining a healthy body weight and eating a varied diet low in added sugars may also help improve some symptoms of PCOS. Birth control pills that contain estrogen or progestin can help balance out excess levels of androgens.
Even healthy vaginal discharge can cause discomfort at times. Here are some tips for managing heavy vaginal discharge:
Excess vaginal discharge can occur as a result of arousal, ovulation, or infections. Normal vaginal discharge ranges in color from clear or milky to white.
The consistency of vaginal discharge also varies from thin and watery to thick and sticky. Generally, healthy vaginal discharge should be relatively odorless.
A female can speak with a healthcare professional if they notice any symptoms of an infection. Some symptoms to look out for include:
Doctors can easily treat most vaginal infections using antimicrobial medications. Depending on the severity of the infection, people may see their symptoms improving within a few days to weeks.
When Does Vaginal Discharge Become A Bigger Problem, Gynaecologist Explains
Vaginal Discharge is one of the common reasons women visit a gynaecologist. Sometimes, this can be annoying and an indication of some underlying health issue. Thus, it is important to identify whether the discharge is normal or abnormal. To know more about it, we spoke to Dr Sowmya Raghavan, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Apollo Cradle & Children's Hospital, Chennai.
Vaginal Discharge CausesAccording to Dr Raghavan, "Normal discharge should be clear, white or off-white. The consistency of the discharge changes with the time of the menstrual cycle." She highlighted that it is thin and watery around the time of ovulation and becomes thicker for a few days before menstruation.
"This is due to changes in hormone levels at different stages of the menstrual cycle. The discharge is considered abnormal only when the discharge is profuse and there is a change in colour, consistency, or odour," she added.
"Non-infectious causes of discharge include a foreign object inside the vagina, such as a forgotten tampon, intrauterine devices, or sex toys," said Dr Raghavan. She added that the use of detergent, soaps, lubricants, and vaginal cleansers, could cause an allergic reaction and cause discharge. The use of antibiotics also weakens the protective bacteria and leads to infection and discharge.
Also Read: Is White Discharge Everyday Normal? Doctor Explains
"In pre-pubertal girls and menopausal women, low oestrogen levels cause the protective vaginal bacteria to be low which leads to the growth of other harmful bacteria which might cause discharge and irritation," said the doctor.
When Does Vaginal Discharge Become Concerning?"Dark yellow, brown, green or grey discharge may indicate vaginal infection or Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)," said Dr Raghavan. She said that while normal discharge may have a mild odour, any fishy or foul-smelling discharge could indicate a vaginal infection.
STIs, such as trichomoniasis, Bacterial Vaginosis (BV), gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and genital herpes may cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), symptoms of which include severe abdominal pain, fever, and painful intercourse.
A study published in the journal Singapore Medical Journal stated that among all cases, 70% are linked to BV, vulvovaginal candidiasis, or trichomoniasis. Among these three mentioned causes, BV stands out as the most prevalent, contributing to as much as 50% of all infections.
"PID should be immediately treated because of long-term implications, such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic adhesions and chronic pelvic pain," said Dr Raghavan.
She highlighted that some people produce more discharge than others due to certain conditions like pregnancy or taking birth control pills. "Brown or red discharge can mean irregular menstruation, endometrial polyp, fibroids, pregnancy-related bleeding and in pre or post-menopausal stages," she added.
Also Read: What Is Excessive Vaginal Discharge? Expert Explains Tips To Prevent It
Dr Raghavan said that the discharge could sometimes indicate a precancerous or cancerous discharge from the vagina, cervix, and uterus. "Thick, chunky discharge and itchiness around the genitals denote yeast infection," she added.
"During pregnancy, BV is associated with late miscarriages, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, and uterine infection after delivery," said Dr Raghavan.
"In women with altered or less immunity, the infection has a possibility to spread into the bloodstream and cause septicemia (sepsis), which requires aggressive treatment," she added.
Dr Raghavan concluded that not all vaginal discharges are abnormal and identifying the cause would help to effectively treat them.
[Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider to get a thorough diagnosis and treatment as per your health needs.]
Image Credits: freepik
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