Patient's question:
I had my last menstrual period on November 16, 2005, and this time it hasn't arrived yet. Around December 20, 2005, I experienced itching in my vaginal area (sometimes with a discharge similar to cottage cheese), which lasted for about 4 days, after which the condition returned to normal. On January 6, 2006, I did a urine test at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, and it showed I wasn't pregnant. The doctor suggested waiting another week to see if my period would come, as it could be due to irregular menstruation. What could be going on with me?Follow-up Question: Can candidiasis (yeast infection) cause a missed period? How is it treated, and what should I be aware of?
Doctor's answer:
Hello: Based on your description, it may be candidal vulvovaginitis, which can be diagnosed through a vaginal discharge smear test. The most common symptoms of candidal vulvovaginitis are external genital itching and a significant increase in vaginal discharge. The itching symptoms of the patient may vary in intensity and occur intermittently. The itching caused by candidal vulvovaginitis is generally more pronounced than that caused by trichomoniasis. Severe itching may cause the patient to be restless and unable to sleep or eat properly. The patient may also experience a burning sensation in the vagina, which is particularly noticeable during urination. In more severe cases, symptoms such as frequent urination, painful urination, and pain during intercourse may also occur. An increased amount of vaginal discharge is another main symptom of this condition. The discharge is usually thick and may be white or yellow, or it may be thin. The typical vaginal discharge of candidal vulvovaginitis is curd-like or creamy in consistency. During a gynecological examination, the following may be observed: depending on the severity of the condition, the labia minora and vaginal mucosa may show varying degrees of congestion and edema of the labia minora. There may be a significant amount of thick vaginal discharge in the vagina, or the vaginal mucosa may be covered with a white membrane. If the membrane is wiped away, the exposed mucosa may appear red, swollen, and eroded, or may have superficial ulcers.