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Are vaginal infections & UTIs common?

Vaginal infections & UTIs

Infections are nothing to be ashamed of

Infections are nothing to be ashamed of

Let’s look at the causes of vaginal infections. Did you know the vagina is home to a whole ecosystem?5 There are a lot of good and bad bacteria in there. To stay healthy, the vaginal ecosystem needs to keep a natural balance of good bacteria, called ‘lactobacilli’, and maintain a pH level6 that ranges between 3.8 and 4.57, slightly on the acidic side, in order to prevent any overgrowth of bad bacteria8. However, the pH level can vary depending on stages of life. Before menstruation and after menopause, a healthy pH level can be higher than 4.59.
 

There are many factors that can cause the vaginal ecosystem to be imbalanced10 and can lead to dryness, irritation11 and possibly an infection12. Some of these factors are controllable and avoiding them can help prevent recurring vaginal yeast infection, like avoiding tight clothes in non-breathable fabrics13 or avoiding eating too much sugar14. Other factors are not controllable and purely due to life15 or changes in the immune system. In other words, there are no reasons to feel guilty about having a vaginal infection as it can differ from one person to another.

Let’s talk
      about neovaginas

Neovaginas (vaginas that have been constructed by gender-reassignment surgery) have their own way of functioning that can differ from vaginas. For example, some neovaginas might not have a vaginal scent and they might not self-lubricate, while others do. Some neovaginas are prone to vaginal infections and some aren’t16.

Neovaginas can produce vaginal discharge for their own unique reasons17. If you have a neovagina and are not sure about your symptoms, don’t be afraid to ask questions to your doctor.

Different Infections

Different Infections

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

One popular myth is that BV is a sexually transmitted infection. BV can be triggered by sex, amongst other things, but it is not an STI (sexually transmitted infection). Symptoms can include a strong, unpleasant fishy vaginal odour and a change in vaginal discharge18. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor.
 

Bacterial Vaginosis

Vaginal Yeast Infection (also known as thrush)

Vaginal yeast infections are quite common19. Many things can trigger vaginal yeast infection, including parts of everyday life, for example, having sex or taking antibiotics20 but just like the Bacterial Vaginosis, vaginal yeast infections are not a sexually transmitted infection21. Symptoms can include white, thick vaginal discharge, itching, burning, soreness of the vagina and swelling of the labia, discomfort when having sex and pain when urinating22,23,24. It’s always worth paying attention to how your vulva looks and what you see in your underwear as it might help you identify these symptoms.
 

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Cystitis is a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)

Not to be confused with a vaginal infection, a UTI is an infection of the urinary tract. Symptoms may include pain or burning when urinating, needing to urinate more often and cloudy urine25. Cystitis is a type of UTI and is an inflammation of the bladder26. Symptoms may include pain, burning or stinging when urinating and needing to urinate more often and more urgently than normal27. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should speak to your doctor.

Supporting your immune system

Having a weakened immune system, for example when you’re sick or taking steroids, can make it harder for your body to fight off infections like vaginal yeast infection28. Here are some ways to boost your immune system29: Look after your health by prioritising good sleep, hydration and a balanced diet, get plenty of exercise, and reduce stress where possible.

Supporting your immune system

Healthy hygiene habits

Less is more when it comes to cleaning your vagina and vulva. The reason being that the vagina is self-cleaning30 and has the ability to wash away bacteria by producing slippery discharge. Over washing your vulva by using strongly scented or aggressive intimate wash products or unnecessarily washing inside your vagina31 can be bad for your vaginal health32. This will wash away a lot of bacteria ⎯ the good and the bad. And always practise good basic hygiene such as wiping from front to back to help keep bad bacteria and faeces away from the vaginal opening.

Worried about Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)?

If you’ve had sex without a condom (whether you have a vagina or not) with a new partner and are concerned about potential infections, you may need to get tested for STIs (Sexual Transmitted Infections). Note: herpes can be passed on even if you use a condom, but using one does reduce the risk as long as it covers the infected area.
 

Not all STIs have symptoms, so go and get tested even if you feel ok33. Lumps and bumps in the intimate area might just be an ingrown pubic hair, or it might be an inflamed Bartholin’s gland, a herpes blister, or a genital wart35.

Only medical professionals are qualified to provide a diagnosis

Asking the internet for advice is as easy as typing a few words into a search bar – but not everyone on the internet is an expert. All content here has been reviewed and checked by medical experts, but it’s important to speak to a real-life doctor to understand your condition and before using a product or remedy you’ve found yourself.
 

If you have a vagina and you notice a change that involves discomfort, pain, discharge or smell that is not normal for you36, then speak to your doctor or gynaecologist. Medical professionals are used to answering all kinds of questions about vulvas and vaginas. Reach out to transgender medical and support services if you need.

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Ref:

  1. https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/vaginal-infection-types/
  2. https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-your-lifestyle-giving-you-thrush
  3. https://www.healthline.com/health/vaginal-yeast-infection
  4. https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/sexual-health-vaginal-infections
  5. Sobel, Jack. "Is there a protective role for vaginal flora?." Current Infectious Disease Reports 1.4 (1999): 379-383.
  6. https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/news/lactic-acid-key-to-a-healthy-vagina
  7. https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-ph-balance
  8. Sobel, Jack. "Is there a protective role for vaginal flora?." Current Infectious Disease Reports 1.4 (1999): 379-383.
  9. https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/vaginal-ph-balance#normal-ph
  10. https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-your-lifestyle-giving-you-thrush
  11. https://www.insider.com/vaginal-dryness
  12. https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-your-lifestyle-giving-you-thrush
  13. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/thrush
  14. https://blog.happyv.com/the-impact-of-sugar-on-vaginal-health/
  15. https://patient.info/news-and-features/is-your-lifestyle-giving-you-thrush
  16. https://neo.life/2021/10/the-neglected-science-of-neovaginas/
  17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8726601/
  18. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/
  19. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/
  20. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/
  21. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/thrush-in-men-and-women/
  22. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK543220/
  23. https://www.healthline.com/health/can-you-have-sex-with-a-yeast-infection#pain-and-other-symptoms
  24. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/thrush
  25. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/
  26. https://www.healthline.com/health/cystitis#:~:text=Cystitis%20is%20an%20inflammation%20of,urethra%20and%20begin%20to%20multiply.
  27. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/
  28. https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/conditions/vaginal-thrush-candida
  29. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-boost-immune-health
  30. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy
  31. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/keeping-your-vagina-clean-and-healthy/
  32. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322537#summary
  33. https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/sexual-health/how-soon-do-sti-symptoms-appear/
  34. https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/bartholins-gland-cyst
  35. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a19420700/genital-lumps-bumps-vagina-causes-treatments/
  36. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/vagina/art-20046562

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