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Vaginal Infections and PID

Vaginal Infections

Every woman has yeast in her vagina at all times. However, when yeast grows too much, it can cause burning when urinating, itching, and a heavy, clumpy kind of discharge -- sort of like cottage cheese. Yeast infections commonly occur when a woman is taking antibiotics, because the medication kills off the bacteria that keep the yeast under control.

The term "nonspecific vaginitis" is used to describe a variety of bacterial infections in the vagina. Two of the names you will hear for bacterial infections are Hemophilus or Gardnerella vaginalis. Usually a heavy discharge from an overgrowth of some type of bacteria will be yellowish to greenish and runny, with a strong odor.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
PID is an infection of the reproductive organs in a woman. It is caused by different sexually transmitted diseases, usually untreated Chlamydia or gonorrhea. PID is very serious and can make it impossible for women to have children, or cause a tubal pregnancy (here the fetus develops in a fallopian tube instead of in the uterus).

PID seems to be more common in women who use an IUD to prevent pregnancy, have many sexual partners, and/or who douche.

Like other STIs, women may have no symptoms at all until the infection has gotten very bad. When there are symptoms, they may include:

An unusual yellow or white discharge from the vagina

Bleeding between periods and right after sex

Pain during or after sex

Pain during pelvic exams

Heavy or painful periods (more so than usual)

Cramps, fever, chills, and nausea