Vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching and pain. The cause is usually a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria or an infection. Reduced estrogen levels after menopause and some skin disorders can also cause vaginitis. If you have vaginal discharge, which many women don't, the characteristics of the discharge might indicate the type of vaginitis you have. Examples include:. You probably don't need to see your doctor every time you have vaginal irritation and discharge, particularly if:.

Dangerous bacterial infections from food poisoning to meningitis.

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While sexual activity does not cause a yeast infection, it can increase the risk of one developing by introducing new bacteria to the vagina. Learn more in this article. Yeast infections are particularly common in females.
What is a Yeast Infection?
All A-Z health topics. View all pages in this section. Two out of three women who buy yeast infection medicine don't really have a yeast infection. See your doctor or nurse first to make sure you have a yeast infection and not a more serious infection. The javascript used in this widget is not supported by your browser. Please enable JavaScript for full functionality. Most women will get a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their life. Symptoms of vaginal yeast infections include burning, itching, and thick, white discharge. Yeast infections are easy to treat, but it is important to see your doctor or nurse if you think you have an infection. Yeast infection symptoms are similar to other vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infections STIs.
Many people are familiar with this worst of feelings, that telltale prickle percolating deep in your business you just immediately know will blossom into a full-blown yeast infection by morning. It is, to put it as mildly as possible, hell; that excruciating and unscratchable itch. Some people are lucky and only develop vaginal yeast infections after a long day at the beach, or when they sports too hard in sweaty, skintight spandex. But there exists another camp, a less fortunate camp, of people who seem to always get a goddang yeast infection after they have sex. Understandably, this leaves a lot of sufferers unspeakably frustrated, because sex and orgasms are good, healthy things many of us want to have on the regular. Nothing kills the mood quite like the specter of itchy yeast hanging over your bed, and I think most of us would love to avoid it if we could. So: Why do some people always get yeast infections after sex? All vaginas house yeast, a fungus called Candida; the problem arises when something throws the delicate vaginal ecosystems out of whack and Candida starts growing like crazy. Then, you're often but not always left with the characteristic white, cottage cheese-textured discharge; the inflamed, irritated labia; a possible bread factory smell wafting from down below; and that deep, deep itch the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC estimates roughly 75 percent of U.