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Guide to common infections

Women of all ages commonly experience urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast infections. They can cause pain and discomfort, but are usually easy to treat. If they’re not treated, they can cause long-term complications. When these infections happen, it's important to get them properly treated by a medical professional.

UTIs happen when bacteria enters the urethra (the opening where urine leaves the body) and causes an infection. Women are more likely to get UTIs than men, and you can still get a UTI if you’re not sexually active.

Common symptoms of UTIs include:

A strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away.
A burning feeling while urinating.
Urine that looks cloudy.
Urine that is red or bright pink.
Strong smelling urine.
Pelvic pain.

If you think you might have a UTI, get help from a medical provider. They may give you a prescription for antibiotics to treat the UTI. It’s important to always finish the whole prescription of antibiotics as directed. Never take antibiotics prescribed to someone else, or antibiotics that were prescribed to you for a previous reason.

The following things can help prevent UTIs:

Drink plenty of water.
Always wipe front to back after urination or bowel movements.
Always urinate soon after having sex.

Complications that can come from untreated UTIs include:

More UTIs in the future.
Kidney infections.
Kidney damage.
Sepsis, a serious condition when infection spreads throughout the body.
Low birth weight or premature birth when a UTI happens during pregnancy.

BV is a condition that happens when there is too much of a certain bacteria in the vagina.

Common symptoms of BV include:

White or gray vaginal discharge.
Pain, itching, or burning in the vagina or around the outside of the vagina.
Burning with urination.
A strong fish-like odor from the vagina.

If you think you have BV, seek help from a medical provider. They may give you a prescription for antibiotics to treat the BV. It’s important to always finish the whole prescription of antibiotics as directed. Never take antibiotics prescribed to someone else, or antibiotics that were prescribed to you for a previous reason.

The following things may help prevent BV:

Use condoms correctly when you have sex.
Avoid douching (washing or cleaning out the vagina with water or other fluids).
Avoid scented tampons and pads.

Complications that can come from untreated BV include:

Higher risk of getting or transmitting HIV.
Pelvic inflammatory disease, which is an infection of the reproductive organs.
Higher risk of low birth weight or premature birth if BV occurs during pregnancy.

Yeast infections (also called vaginal candidiasis), happens when a yeast (fungus) called candida grows inside the vagina.

Common symptoms of yeast infections include:

Pain or itching in the vagina.
Redness and/or swelling of the vulva (the part of the genitals on the outside of your body).
Pain during sex.
Pain with urination.
Abnormal vaginal discharge.
In severe cases, redness, swelling, and cracks inside the vagina can occur.

If you think you have a yeast infection, seek help from a medical provider. They may give you a prescription for antifungal medication to treat the yeast infection. It’s important to always finish the whole prescription as directed. Never take antibiotics, antifungals, or other prescriptions prescribed to someone else, or any that were given to you for a previous reason.

Yeast infections are common during and after taking antibiotics. Antibiotics kill a range of bacteria, sometimes including the good bacteria in the vagina, which can lead to a yeast infection. If you’re concerned about this, talk to your medical provider about yeast infections when they prescribe you antibiotics.

The following may help prevent yeast infections:

Wear underwear made of cotton that doesn’t fit too tight.
Avoid douching (washing or cleaning out the vagina with water or other fluids).
Avoid scented tampons and pads.
Don’t stay in wet clothes, such as swimsuits or workout clothes, for long periods of time.

Complications that can come from untreated yeast infections include:

Sepsis, a serious condition when infection spreads throughout the body.
Higher risk of low birth weight or premature birth if a yeast infection happens during pregnancy.

Maintaining vaginal health

A good way to avoid vaginal infections is by making sure you clean your vagina properly.

The vagina cleans itself well. It keeps a delicate balance of good bacteria, and if this balance is disrupted, infections can happen. It’s best to let the vagina clean itself. Wash the outside of the vagina with warm water and mild soap when you bathe. There’s no need to clean the inside of the vagina.

Many medical professionals don’t recommend that you douche (washing the inside of the vagina with water or other liquids). Douching is linked to vaginal infections and sexually transmitted infections.

Avoid using scented products in or around your vagina, such as scented pads or tampons, feminine washes, powders, or sprays. These products are likely to irritate the vagina and the sensitive skin around it.

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