Patient's question:
I have recently been experiencing intense itching in my vagina and have noticed white discharge inside. Even after cleaning, the itching persists, and my menstrual cycle has become very irregular after sexual activity. Could I have contracted a disease?Doctor's answer:
Hello: It may be candidal vulvovaginitis, which can be diagnosed through a vaginal discharge 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 frequency. 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, especially during urination. In more severe cases, symptoms such as frequent urination, painful urination, and pain during intercourse may 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. Typical candidal vulvovaginitis discharge appears like cottage cheese or curd-like. 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. 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 there may be superficial ulcers.