5 Common Signs of Vaginal Infections

Are you concerned that some of the vaginal infection symptoms you’ve lately been experiencing may be a sign of a more serious vaginal infection?

Do you know all the signs of vaginal infections and the manner in which these signs typically present?

Vaginal infections are very common in women, but not all vaginal infections are alike. Each has a different cause, and thus requires a specific form of treatment. Unfortunately, the symptoms of the various infections can often appear very similar in nature, often making it difficult to determine a proper diagnosis.

However, there are a few subtle differences in these symptoms that may help pinpoint the specific type and cause of the infection.

To clarify this further, here we will discuss what the term vaginal infection means and its causes, followed by a brief outline listing some of the more common signs of vaginal infections and how these signs can differ depending on the origin of the infection.

About Vaginal Infections

Within the vagina there are certain bacteria. These bacteria produce a type of acid, which allows them to repel other bacteria and fight off various viruses and fungi.

This is a very delicate vaginal flora balance, and when this balance is upset – when something happens that lowers the level of acidity in the vagina – it can lead to a vaginal infection.

There are many factors that can lead to an imbalance of acidity, and thus cause vaginal infections.  Some of these causes include :

• Hormonal Changes. When women experience changes in their hormones it can cause an upset in the balance of vaginal bacteria. Women who are pregnant or going through menopause, for example, are much more prone to vaginal infections during these times.
• Stress. Major and/or prolonged stress can also be a precursor to many vaginal infections.
• Antibiotics. Ironically, antibiotics used to treat bodily infections can actually cause vaginal infections.  Antibiotics can destroy the good bacteria in the vagina leaving the area susceptible to the “bad” bacteria, viruses and fungi.
• Sexual Intercourse. Sexual intercourse, especially with multiple partners, may lead to a number of sexually transmitted vaginal infections (STIs).
• Foreign Objects. Rarely, foreign objects such as tampons can cause vaginal infections, and possibly even a life-threatening condition known as toxic-shock syndrome.

There are several classifications of vaginal infections, but the three most common are vaginal yeast infection, caused by a proliferation of a certain fungus in the vagina; bacterial vaginosis, caused by an overgrowth of bacteria; and trichomoniasis, caused by a sexually transmitted parasite that infects the vaginal walls.

All of these vaginal infections lead to a condition called vaginitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the vagina, and one which tends to produce several of the most common signs of vaginal infections.

Five Common Signs of Vaginal Infection

There are several common signs of vaginal infections, and while only a doctor can properly diagnose the type of condition you’re experiencing, the five most common things to look for are :

• Vaginal Discharge. While it is perfectly normal and healthy for women to experience occasional vaginal discharge, any abnormalities in the amount produced, or any changes in the color, texture and smell of the discharge, may be signs of a vaginal infection. Vaginal yeast infections, for example, tend to produce a grey-white discharge that is thick, almost curdled-looking. With bacterial vaginosis, the discharge is also gray-white, but much thinner and watery, and with trichomoniasis, the color of discharge is gray-green in appearance.
• Irritation/Soreness. Vaginal infections can lead to irritation, including redness and swelling in the affected area, however this soreness is not usually experienced in cases of bacterial vaginosis.
• Itching. Itching is one of the universal signs of vaginal infections, and is especially intense with vaginal yeast infections.
• Pain when urinating. Several types of vaginal infections, including vaginal yeast infections and trichomoniasis, can cause pain while urinating.
• Pain and/or bleeding during Sex. Pain during intercourse is very common during the early phases of most vaginal infections, and in rare cases, bleeding may also accompany this pain.

There are, of course, other signs of vaginal infections, but these five are the ones most often reported. While the disparity of symptoms of the various vaginal infections is indeed very subtle, learning to recognize these small differences could save you the time and expense of pursuing an incorrect treatment strategy.