Dear Dr.
I have been noticing that I have a strange
vaginal discharge, it is white and looks like cottage cheese...I know
that these are the signs of a common yeast infection however I have not been
experiencing ayd itching just the discharge...I have also experienced slight abdominal
discomfort during sex... Recently when I had sex with my
boyfriend he told me that it was all over his penis and that it was clumpy and
white..The smell of it is not foul at all. I just keep seeing alot of it
in my underwear, sometimes to the point where I have to change my
underwear. I have been experiencing these sypmptoms for the past
4 days but this has occured quite a few times in the past and I have
even bought a over the counter yeast infection treatment but then a few weeks
later it happends again....Another thing is that I have is frequent
urination, but I have had this for years( to the point where I have
become used to it and have accepted it) I don‘t experience any burning
when I urinate.
I have
had a pap smear approximately 6 months ago and it came up normal, I am not sure what I have but I
have come to understand that it is not normal for a woman to have this kind of
discharge on a regular basis. So what do I do? I am guessing go to my doctor
and do another pap and if that come sup normal what do I do then? Are there any
natural at home remedies or tips that I can do in order to help with my problem
down there?
Hi, and thanks
for your question.
Inspite
of the
fact that you do not have any itching, it sounds like you have a yeast
infection (Candida albicans). The cheesy-white discharge you
describe
which is not foul smelling is typical for this type of infection.
It is also possible for a yeast infetion to cause pain during
intercourse or a burning sensation during urination in some cases.
If you have tried Monistat-7 or another OTC remedy and it didn‘t help, or your
yeast infection came back, make an appointment with your doctor. He or
she may suggest Diflucan (fluconazole) 150mg which is a prescription oral
antifungal pill, one dose, one time.
If you are experiencing repeat yeast infections, (3 to 4 in the same year) this could be RVVC (Recurrent
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis). This condition often occurs in women with a
weakened immune system or Diabetes. If this is the case your doctor may
give you a 6 month treatment.
A PAP is NOT used to determine if you have a yeast infection. A PAP smear
is a screening test for cervical
cancer which detects abnormal cells of the cervix. If that was normal 6
months ago, you won‘t need another one until next year at the earliest.
It is quite normal to get a yeast infection since Candida albicans is
part of the normal flora of the vagina in most women.
For diagnosis of Candida, your doctor
will do a
KOH prep in the office. A swab of the affected area of your
vagina will be taken with a long "Q-Tip" and smeared on a
slide. Then a drop of KOH (Potassium hydroxide) solution will be
placed
on the slide, which makes the yeast visible under a microscope.
Your doctor will know what to look for to identify Candida.
Another
way to diagnose Candida is to do a swab, and culture to grow
colonies of the yeast on a culture medium.
Whenever your pH changes (the acid/base balance of your vagina), the
yeast
overgrows and you have a flare up. This can be caused by
emotional
stress, pregnancy, staying in a bathing suit or damp environment for
too long, clothes that are tight on the crotch, after antibiotics, or
steroid use, etc. Yeasts such as Candida like to
grow in an acidic medium where it is warm and dark.
To prevent yeast
infections in the future you can do the following:
-Try wearing cotton underwear
-Avoid tight fitting pants or pantyhose for too long
-Change out of a wet bathing suit or gym clothes promptly
-Wipe from front to back especially after a bowel movement
-Avoid scented feminine hygiene products
-Eat yogurt with L. acidophilus (Lactobacillus acidophillus)
a live cultured yogurt that will help maintain the normal bacterial
balance of the vagina. Or take acidophillus capsules.
-Cut down on your sugar intake
-Eat a well balanced diet with fiber, fruits and vegetables, drink
plenty of water, get enough rest, and avoid stress in your life.
I hope this helps, and please make an appointment with your doctor as soon as
possible. A yeast infection is easy to identify and treat, and you
shouldn‘t have to be uncomfortable living with it.
-Dr. WomanSaver