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Is The Irritation Around My Vulva Due To A Yeast Infection?

Posted on Sun, 6 May 2012

Question: I just had a yeast infection 3 weeks ago and was already treated with a one day pill and cream for 5 days. It got better for two weeks and then I started to have irritation on the outside. The irritation started right before my menstrual cycle. It's about week now. There's no discharge or pain just irritation (itching) around the outside. The irritation comes and goes through the day and has lasted about a week now. I'm not sure if this is from the yeast infection or just a normal irritation. Are the symptoms suppose to improve after treatment of yeast infection? Can this be anything serious such as vulvar cancer? I went back to see my OB and he said that the one day pill should have cured the yeast infection. He then prescribe me a cream for another 7 days. I also had a pap smear and pelvic exam done at the time. The results came back normal besides the yeast infection. I am 29 years old and healthy with no medical history. Please advised.

Answered by Dr. Shanthi E (1 hour later)

Hello,

Thanks for posting your query.

Your symptoms suggests something like a fungal infection of the vulva.

It should have subsided with the anti-fungal treatment that you had earlier taken.

It does not suggest a Vulval cancer, you need not worry.

It is good that your PAP smear and pelvic examination are normal which makes cervical cancer very unlikely.

Vulval cancer is also unlikely, because it presents with vulval mass.

The yeast infection is treatable, I suggest you to take another course of anti-fungal treatment.

You should be fine, You can also consult your Gynaecologist regarding this.

Also maintain good personal hygiene like keeping the area clean and dry, wear cotton undergarments to reduce the itching.

Hope I have answered your query. I will be available for your follow up queries if any.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Manju M

Follow up: Dr. Shanthi E (10 hours later)

Thank you for your quick respond. I thought that the first treatment would have cured the infection and symptoms. I didn't expect for the irritation to return. Is this normal for yeast infection? I just saw my OB the other day and he prescribed another antifungal cream. I've been using the cream for 3 nights now and the irritation has not gone away. I also applied the cream around the outside area as well. You mentioned about taking another course of antifungal treatment. Do you mean by the pill or cream? Should I wait till I complete the treatment to see any difference?

Answered by Dr. Shanthi E (2 hours later)

Hello again,

Thanks for writing back to me.

Yeast infection is typically characterised by intense itching and continuous irritation and is almost diagnostic of a fungal infection.

I feel the first treatment was not adequate and has not cured the infection completely.

About taking another course of the antifungal treatment, I meant oral pills.
You can still continue to apply the cream locally but I suggest you to take oral antifungals as well.

I also suggest you to take a minimum of 3 doses of the oral antifungal tablet on alternate days for the infection to get cured completely. Please discuss this with your gynaecologist.

I suggest you to take the oral antifungal tablets along with the present treatment to make the healing faster and complete.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T