Patient's question:
These past few months, I've been experiencing severe lower back pain. My friend mentioned that lower back pain is related to gynecological issues. I usually have a lot of white discharge, which is very thick and smells like it's rotting. Recently, I've been itchy down there and can't help but scratch it. When I went to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor said it was a fungal vaginal infection and that it needed treatment.What kind of help do I need: Can a fungal vaginal infection heal on its own?
Doctor's answer:
Candidal vulvovaginitis is vaginitis caused by a fungal infection. Most cases of candidal vulvovaginitis are caused by the infection of Candida albicans. Symptoms include intense itching of the external genitalia, even ulceration and pain, vaginal burning pain, which is more pronounced during urination, or symptoms such as frequent urination, dysuria, and pain during intercourse. The discharge is thick and creamy, resembling white cottage cheese or curd. The vaginal walls may be covered with white pseudomembranes, and after wiping, the mucosa appears red.