Vaginitis vs Yeast Infection | PYHP 128

The dreaded, uncomfortable, annoying, burning, itchy, achy, irritating vaginal infection.

Ladies, we have all been there. And for those unicorns that have never had a vaginal infection such as yeast or bacterial vaginosis, well, you are certainly one of the lucky ones. While a yeast infection or BV is not life-threatening, not fatal, and maybe not an emergency, that does not mean it’s not urgent.

Especially vaginal infections that are chronic or keep returning can be incredibly annoying, painful, and frustrating. It is very accurate that once you have a yeast infection or vaginal infection like BV, it can come back over and over. I have had many patients come to see me because no one could help them with their vaginal issues. Not only is it embarrassing and uncomfortable, but often, doctors will blow off vaginal issues.

Perhaps it was not expressed enough as an issue. As I know it can be challenging to talk about issues ‘downstairs’ to a stranger, doctor, or no doctor. Geez, most women have told me that their mothers and grandmothers would not go near the subject of anything to do with ‘the vagina.’ So can you imagine telling a doctor you have never met that you are in pain, super itchy, tender, uncomfortable, and not-normal discharge is discharging, a lot… takes a lot of courage to say.

As I said, a vaginal infection is not fatal. It might feel like your vagina is on fire, but you will live. Uncomfortably live to say the least. I think it is essential to talk about having a vaginal infection. If you had a sinus infection, no one would bat an eye. If you have an ear infection, that is easy to talk about. It should be the same with vaginal infections.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast (candida) infections have nothing to do with hygiene and are not contagious. They can happen for many reasons, just like an ear infection or sinus infection.

So that leads me to a great question from a reader about her issues with vaginal infections. She says she had 6 yeast infections in six months and more months of grief with no relief. I really feel for this woman because that is not how to live life. After all the treatments she has used and put on/in her poor vagina, she is terrified to put anything else near it. I don’t blame her. But what a predicament to be in. I am sure she is not even contemplating being intimate, let alone sexual, when her poor privates are on fire. I’m sure she is constantly worried that darn infection lurks around the corner at every turn.

Here is our reader’s question, which I will answer (we always change the name for privacy).

Melissa’s Question:

I am 52. Have Sjogrens and Hashimotos. I have Atrophic Vaginitis. A year ago I started Vagifem for 3 weeks. Yeast infection after. Then I was put on Premarin Cream then yeast again. But I continued with the Premarin. I did this for 6 months and treated 6 yeast infections during this time. Finally I stopped all medications and took a vaginal moisturizer. I did well with this for three months. Then I got another yeast infection or so I thought. This has been a battle for another 2 months. The dr did swabs and everything negative for yeast BV STI. I feel swollen in the vag and when I urinate I feel pain afterward and sitting feels like my vag is hurting. No cystocele or rectocele. I have also reacted to lubes with glycerine or glycol. Now the Dr wants me to start Intrarosa and I am paranoid to start incase I get yeast. Does anyone have any advise as I am at my witts end!

I will answer Melissa’s questions plus:

• What are GSM and Vaginal Atrophy?
• What is Vagifem?
• What vaginal Premarin?
• What is a vaginal moisturizer?
• What are yeast and BV?
• What is Interrosa?
• What is Sjogren’s syndrome
• What is Hashimotos?
• How about Estriol for GSM?

...