Vaginitis is a name for
a common infection in the vagina caused by different germs. Yeast and trichomonas
are examples of germs that can cause vaginitis. The symptoms of vaginitis can
vary depending on the germ. To find out if you have vaginitis, a nurse or doctor
will need to examine you and take some tests.
Yeast infections are caused
by the extra growth of certain yeast organisms that normally live in the vagina.
This extra growth can be caused by many factors including, taking antibiotics
or birth control pills, damp underwear, tight pants, poor diet, or use of certain
vaginal products. Often, it happens for no clear reason. Yeast is not usually
transmitted during sex with an infected person.
In women, the vagina will
become very itchy and sore. Sometimes a cottage cheese-like discharge will appear.
The vagina may become red and dry, which could make sexual intercourse painful.
In men, there are generally no symptoms, but a rash may appear on the penis.
There are a number of ways
to treat yeast infections. Treatment options include pills or creams, and ointments
or tablets that are inserted into the vagina. Some treatments require a prescription
and others can be bought at the pharmacy. If you are not sure that you have
a yeast infection, it may be good to check with your doctor before you treat
yourself.
Important:
Women who repeatedly get yeast infections should see their doctor. This can
occasionally be a sign of another disease.
Trichomonas is a germ that
you can get by having sex with an infected person. Symptoms can include more
vaginal discharge that may be yellow-green, the vagina may become sore and itchy,
a strong vaginal odour, and pain during sexual intercourse or when going to
the bathroom (urinate). If your main symptom is foul smelling discharge, please
read about bacterial vaginosis in BC HealthFile #08g
Bacterial Vaginosis.
Men often do not show any
symptoms but may feel a slight burning feeling while passing urine, or see some
fluid or redness at the end of the penis.
If you have different sexual partners, or if your partner has different partners,
you should also be tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis and HIV (the virus
linked to AIDS). You should also consider getting vaccine shots to prevent hepatitis
B infection.
Important:
The more sexual partners you have, the higher your risk of getting a STD.
Birth control pills may
not work very well when you are taking some antibiotic pills. Keep taking your
birth control pills while taking any medication, and also use a second form
of birth control, such as a condom, until your next period after completing
the antibiotics.
Have sex with only
one partner who has been tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),
who has been treated if necessary and who is having sex only with you. The
more partners you have, the higher your risk of getting an STD.
Use a female or male
condom every time you have sex. Condoms offer protection against STDs, but
they must be used properly.
A condom
acts like a barrier that helps prevent the exchange of body fluids, the
transmission of sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy.
A new
condom should be used each time you have sexual intercourse (anal, vaginal,
or oral sex).
Check the expiry date on the condom package.
Use
only water-based lubricants with the male latex condom. Oil-based lubricants,
such as petroleum jelly, lotion or baby oil, can weaken and destroy latex.
Female
condoms are made of polyurethane. This material can be used with any type
of lubricant, water-based or oil-based.
Some
lubricants contain chemicals called spermicides to help protect against
unwanted pregnancy. If they irritate your genitals, don't use them.
Do
not use a male condom together with a female condom as the friction created
may cause tearing of either product.
If
a condom breaks during sex remove it immediately and apply a new condom.
Remember!
Condoms do not offer 100 per cent protection from STDs and unwanted pregnancy.
It will not consistently prevent transmission of STDs passed through skin-to-skin
contact - for example, syphilis, human papilloma virus (warts) and
herpes. However, if used properly, they are very effective and can reduce
the risk of transmission of these STDs.
Place the condom on the
tip of the penis when it is hard and erect, but before it touches the partner's
body. Make sure that the rolled-up condom rim faces outward.
With the other hand,
pinch the tip of the condom to remove any trapped air, and unroll the condom
to the base of the erect penis.
After intercourse and
before the penis becomes soft, withdraw the penis carefully, holding the rim
of the condom against the penis, so that semen does not spill out.
Slide the condom gently off the penis, and knot the open end.
A condom can be inserted up to eight hours before sexual intercourse.
Open the package carefully.
Hold the small ring at the closed end of the condom between the thumb and
middle finger.
Find a comfortable position,
either lying down, sitting with your knees apart or standing with one foot
raised on a stool, squeeze the small ring and insert it into the vagina as
far as you can.
Put a finger inside the
condom and push the small ring inside as far as possible. It is also possible
to insert the condom by putting it onto the erect penis before intercourse.
Make sure that the part
of the condom with the outer ring is outside the body. The outer ring will
lie flat against the body when the penis is inside the condom.
When the penis enters
the vagina, make sure that the penis is inside the condom.
Immediately after sexual
intercourse, remove the condom by gently twisting the outer ring and pulling
the condom out, making sure that no semen is spilt and throw it in the garbage.
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