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This factsheet is for women who have a common vaginal infection, or who would like information about them. Vaginal infections occur when bacteria, fungi or viruses grow in and around your vagina.
About common vaginal infections Symptoms of common vaginal infections Causes of common vaginal infections Types of common vaginal infections Diagnosis of common vaginal infections Treatment of common vaginal infections Prevention of common vaginal infections
unusual vaginal discharge (this may be unusual in colour and smell unpleasant) irritation and soreness of the vulva (the skin around the outside of your vagina) vaginal itching pain during sex bleeding between periods or after sex abdominal (tummy) pains lumps, redness, swelling, blisters or ulcers on the vulva or anus pain when passing urine
It's important that you see your GP if you have any of these symptoms.
Thrush
Around half of women have Candida albicans growing harmlessly in their vagina. A change in your vaginal environment can mean the yeast grows more than usual, causing thrush (vaginal candidiasis). Common triggers for thrush include:
Other factors linked to thrush include using perfumed soaps or feminine hygiene sprays, taking the combined contraceptive pill and wearing tight underwear or clothes.
perfumed soaps, feminine hygiene sprays or vaginal douching having an intra-uterine system (IUS or coil) antibiotics
BV is not a STI, although there may be a link with having a new sexual partner or a high number of sexual partners. If left untreated, BV may increase your risk of:
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) after giving birth or having an abortion miscarriage premature labour having a low birth-weight baby
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. This is usually transmitted during unprotected sexual intercourse. Symptoms of trichomoniasis include a heavy, sometimes frothy, yellow-green, fishy-smelling vaginal discharge. However, half of women with trichomoniasis don't have any symptoms. If left untreated, trichomoniasis infection may increase your risk of:
becoming infected with viruses including Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Human papilloma virus (HPV) premature labour or having a low birth-weight baby
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK. It is caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. Many people have chlamydia without knowing it. Seven in 10 women and half of men with chlamydia don't have any symptoms.
In women, chlamydia infection can spread to your womb (uterus), ovaries and fallopian tubes and cause PID. Up to three women in 10 with untreated chlamydia will get PID. PID can damage the fallopian tubes and can increase the risk of:
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is caused by a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which is passed on during unprotected sexual intercourse. Symptoms of gonorrhoea usually appear within two weeks of infection, and may include:
vaginal discharge pain when passing urine bleeding between periods pelvic or abdominal pain pain during sex
Genital herpes
Genital herpes infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) being passed on during sexual contact. Once infected, HSV stays in your body for the rest of your life. Symptoms of genital herpes include:
Genital warts
Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted viral infection in the UK, and are especially common in people under 25. Genital warts are caused by HPV, which makes cells grow unusually. You can catch genital warts by having sex and/or skin-to-skin contact with someone who has them.
Genital warts appear as small, round lumps on or around your vulva, upper thighs, cervix, vagina or anus. It can take several months or even years after infection for the warts to appear. However, many people with the virus don't develop warts and you may not know you have the infection.
Thrush
Most infections respond to antifungal treatments such as clotrimazole cream or pessaries (a medicine you put directly into your vagina), or fluconazole tablets, which are available from your pharmacist without prescription. The infection clears up completely in most women. If youre pregnant, see your GP before taking any medicines to treat thrush. If your symptoms don't improve within seven to 14 days or symptoms come back, see your GP. He or she may prescribe a different antifungal medicine. Male partners dont need treatment unless they have a rash or a sore penis.
BV
Antibiotic treatment clears BV infection in most women. Antibiotics are usually given in tablet form although sometimes, especially in pregnancy, your GP will prescribe a gel or cream. Male sexual partners don't need treatment.
Trichomoniasis
If you have trichomoniasis, your GP may refer you to a sexual health clinic. Trichomoniasis can sometimes get better without treatment, but your doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics. You can take antibiotics as a course of tablets for five to seven days or as a one-off large dose. Sexual partners need to be treated too as symptoms are less common in men and they may not know they are infected.
Genital warts
Treatment depends on where the warts are, what they look like and how many you have. You may be given creams or liquids, surgery, cryotherapy (a freezing procedure) or laser treatment. Some women find that the warts go after one treatment, whereas others need several treatments.
Genital herpes
Your GP may prescribe antiviral tablets, which stop the herpes from multiplying but dont cure the infection. You need to take them for at least five days. You may also need to use a local anaesthetic ointment on your vulva to help with the pain. For STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis, you will be tested again a couple of weeks after you have finished your treatment to ensure that the infection has gone completely. If you're diagnosed with an STI, it's important to contact your previous partners who may be at risk, to prevent them from spreading the infection to others. Sexual health clinics can send anonymous notifications on your behalf if you're willing to provide details.
not wearing tight-fitting, nylon underwear and tights not using perfumed soaps or feminine hygiene sprays not using vaginal douches they disturb the natural protective acidity in your vagina