Patient's question:
I had my period on October 25th, and now it's January 2nd, but it hasn't come yet. Around the 20th of each month, I also get stomach pain, and there's some dark-colored discharge, but the amount is very small. Recently, I've noticed that my vaginal discharge is a bit abnormal, like cottage cheese, and there's no odor. I often have lower back pain. I used to have very regular periods, but I don't know what's going on. I hope an expert can help me with this. Thank you.Doctor's answer:
Hello: Based on your description, it is likely to be candidal vulvovaginitis. The most common symptom of candidal vulvovaginitis is external genital itching, along with a significant increase in vaginal discharge. The itching symptoms can vary in intensity and may come and go. The itching caused by candidal vulvovaginitis is generally more pronounced than that caused by trichomoniasis. Severe itching can make the patient 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. A typical sign of candidal vulvovaginitis is a discharge that resembles cottage cheese or creamy clumps. 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 the labia minora may be swollen. The vagina may contain a significant amount of thick white discharge, or the vaginal mucosa may be covered with a white membrane. If the membrane is removed, the exposed mucosa may appear red, swollen, and eroded, or may have superficial ulcers.