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Suggest Treatment For Vaginal Itchiness And Redness
Question: For the past couple of days my vagina has been really red and itchy and I havent felt this before. It doesnt hurt when I go to the bathroom its just very itchy. I am just wondering what it could be. Thankyou
Brief Answer:
May be yeast vaginitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Vaginal yeast infections are quite common and give symptoms of itchiness and irritation and sometimes a white curdy discharge. The cause is an overgrowth of the yeast/fungus Candida. This happens when the conditions are more favorable for yeast to grow, such as after taking an antibiotic. And yeast like to grow wherever the skin is warm, moist, and dark, so sometimes cotton underwear during the day, and no underwear at night can help. But treatment is either an over the counter anti yeast cream that you put in your vagina with an applicator, or some women prefer to use boric acid suppositories.
Some women have irritation and dryness of their vaginas after their period is over and their hormones are at their lowest. This does not need treatment in someone your age as it will correct itself in a few days.
If you are sexually active (intercourse) then there is the risk that this could be an STD if you have a discharge. This would need to be treated by a doctor. (No over the counter meds will help.)
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you would like further information or clarification. In the future if you would like to ask me a question (and if this discussion is closed), just write my name (Dr. Bonnie) at the beginning of the 1st line.
May be yeast vaginitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Vaginal yeast infections are quite common and give symptoms of itchiness and irritation and sometimes a white curdy discharge. The cause is an overgrowth of the yeast/fungus Candida. This happens when the conditions are more favorable for yeast to grow, such as after taking an antibiotic. And yeast like to grow wherever the skin is warm, moist, and dark, so sometimes cotton underwear during the day, and no underwear at night can help. But treatment is either an over the counter anti yeast cream that you put in your vagina with an applicator, or some women prefer to use boric acid suppositories.
Some women have irritation and dryness of their vaginas after their period is over and their hormones are at their lowest. This does not need treatment in someone your age as it will correct itself in a few days.
If you are sexually active (intercourse) then there is the risk that this could be an STD if you have a discharge. This would need to be treated by a doctor. (No over the counter meds will help.)
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you would like further information or clarification. In the future if you would like to ask me a question (and if this discussion is closed), just write my name (Dr. Bonnie) at the beginning of the 1st line.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. XXXXXXX
Im just scared because 2 nights ago me and my boyfriend had sex without a condom for the first time because im on the pill and we both were clean. It was the next day that i started to get really itchy and red down there.
One other thing is the last three times we have had sex I have bled while we have been having sex. Im worried because I don't know why its happening.
Your advice on the lastquestion was great so maybe you could help me with this.
Thankyou Dr. XXXXXXX
Im just scared because 2 nights ago me and my boyfriend had sex without a condom for the first time because im on the pill and we both were clean. It was the next day that i started to get really itchy and red down there.
One other thing is the last three times we have had sex I have bled while we have been having sex. Im worried because I don't know why its happening.
Your advice on the lastquestion was great so maybe you could help me with this.
Thankyou Dr. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Are you using a lubricant?
Detailed Answer:
Were the condoms lubricated (some condoms come prepared that way) and are you using any lubrication now?
Sometimes not using lubrication can cause some irritation after wards. On the other hand sometimes women are sensitive to one lubricant and not another.
It's also possible that you are in some way sensitive to your boyfriend's semen, which you weren't exposed to before when he had a condom on.
In terms of bleeding during intercourse, there are a few possible causes: sometimes there is some irritation of the vagina or cervix from the mechanical rubbing. In a 17 yr old this would be more likely than a (benign) cervical polyp that can get irritated. You may also be getting some break thru bleeding from the lower dose of hormones on the contraceptive pill compared to your own hormones. And if these episodes happened shortly before you are expecting your period, that would go with the lower hormone mechanism.
Given the bleeding and subsequent redness and itching, I'm going to suggest that you use a lubricant, such as Astroglide. And if this doesn't help, consider going in to see your doctor for him or her to have a look.
Are you using a lubricant?
Detailed Answer:
Were the condoms lubricated (some condoms come prepared that way) and are you using any lubrication now?
Sometimes not using lubrication can cause some irritation after wards. On the other hand sometimes women are sensitive to one lubricant and not another.
It's also possible that you are in some way sensitive to your boyfriend's semen, which you weren't exposed to before when he had a condom on.
In terms of bleeding during intercourse, there are a few possible causes: sometimes there is some irritation of the vagina or cervix from the mechanical rubbing. In a 17 yr old this would be more likely than a (benign) cervical polyp that can get irritated. You may also be getting some break thru bleeding from the lower dose of hormones on the contraceptive pill compared to your own hormones. And if these episodes happened shortly before you are expecting your period, that would go with the lower hormone mechanism.
Given the bleeding and subsequent redness and itching, I'm going to suggest that you use a lubricant, such as Astroglide. And if this doesn't help, consider going in to see your doctor for him or her to have a look.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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