Dealing with vaginal discharge
Feb 15, 2005
DEAR doctor,<br>I have had a white discharge for over eight years. Treatment has been in vain. It makes me uncomfortable, though it does not itch. What can I do?</
Dear doctor,
I have had a white discharge for over eight years. Treatment has been in vain. It makes me uncomfortable, though it does not itch. What can I do?
Vaginal discharges are usually easy to treat. Have you consulted a doctor?
A lot of the discharges are due to candida, a yeast infection overgrowth in the vagina. Candida is not a sexually transmitted infection because everyone has it on the skin.
The overgrowth may occur due to changes in immunity, like with pregnancy, stress or diabetes. It is treated or controlled with antifungal tablets or vaginal pessaries and creams. Some people have predisposing reasons like diabetes and HIV so, it comes back regularly.
Another common cause of the discharges is a bacteria overgrowth in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis). Usually, the discharge is not white and is accompanied by a fishy smell, especially after sex.
It is treated with antibiotics once the diagnosis is made. You should see a doctor. You shouldn’t have discomfort for long.
Dr Paul Semugoma
I have had a white discharge for over eight years. Treatment has been in vain. It makes me uncomfortable, though it does not itch. What can I do?
Vaginal discharges are usually easy to treat. Have you consulted a doctor?
A lot of the discharges are due to candida, a yeast infection overgrowth in the vagina. Candida is not a sexually transmitted infection because everyone has it on the skin.
The overgrowth may occur due to changes in immunity, like with pregnancy, stress or diabetes. It is treated or controlled with antifungal tablets or vaginal pessaries and creams. Some people have predisposing reasons like diabetes and HIV so, it comes back regularly.
Another common cause of the discharges is a bacteria overgrowth in the vagina (bacterial vaginosis). Usually, the discharge is not white and is accompanied by a fishy smell, especially after sex.
It is treated with antibiotics once the diagnosis is made. You should see a doctor. You shouldn’t have discomfort for long.
Dr Paul Semugoma