{"id":12405,"date":"2023-03-21T19:42:38","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T19:42:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/is-it-an-sti-or-something-else\/"},"modified":"2023-03-21T19:42:38","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T19:42:38","slug":"is-it-an-sti-or-something-else","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ultimatehealthreport.com\/is-it-an-sti-or-something-else\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It an STI or Something Else?"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Vaginal discharge is a normal part of being a woman, but what happens when your discharge changes color or smells \u2014 or you start feeling itching or burning? Many conditions and infections have similar symptoms. It can be hard to tell what your vagina is trying to tell you, so we\u2019ve created a quick reference guide to help you understand the differences between some common vaginal infections and guide the conversation with your healthcare provider (HCP). <\/p>\n

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Atrophic vaginitis (Vaginal Atrophy)<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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Symptoms<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

There are many symptoms of atrophic vaginitis. You might have:<\/p>\n

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  • Vaginal dryness<\/li>\n
  • Burning or itching in your vagina<\/li>\n
  • More vaginal discharge than you normally have<\/li>\n
  • Burning when you pee or an increased or urgent need to pee<\/li>\n
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) that come back often<\/li>\n
  • Urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control)<\/li>\n
  • Pain or dryness during sex <\/li>\n
  • Bleeding after sex<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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    Causes<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

    Atrophic vaginitis happens when your body makes less estrogen, the hormone that makes and maintains the female reproductive system.<\/p>\n

    Some causes of lower estrogen levels are:<\/p>\n

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    • Menopause or perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause)<\/li>\n
    • Hysterectomy, a surgery that removes your uterus <\/li>\n
    • Breastfeeding <\/li>\n
    • Certain medications<\/li>\n
    • Certain cancer treatments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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      Treatment<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

      There are many treatment options available to ease the symptoms of atrophic vaginitis, such as:<\/p>\n

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      • Moisturizers and lubricants <\/li>\n
      • Estrogen that you put in your vagina <\/li>\n
      • Medications you take by mouth<\/li>\n
      • Estrogen pills or patches <\/li>\n
      • Vaginal dilators that stretch the muscles in your vagina<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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        Prevention<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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        • While you can\u2019t prevent perimenopause or menopause, you can work with your HCP to manage your symptoms. <\/li>\n
        • Regular safe sex and not smoking might help prevent atrophic vaginitis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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          Good to Know<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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          • Your HCP might refer to atrophic vaginitis and other symptoms together as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM).<\/li>\n
          • During atrophic vaginitis, the lining of the vagina gets thinner and drier.<\/li>\n
          • Atrophic vaginitis is not an infection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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            Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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            Symptoms<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

            The majority of people with BV don\u2019t have symptoms. If you do, you might experience:<\/p>\n

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            • Off-white, gray or greenish discharge<\/li>\n
            • Fishy-smelling discharge<\/li>\n
            • Itching or soreness in the vagina (less common)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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              Causes<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

              BV is caused when the naturally occurring bacteria that live in and around the vagina get off balance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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              Treatment<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

              Your HCP may prescribe antibiotics that can be taken orally or inserted into the vagina with a gel or cream.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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              Prevention<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

              Some ways you can prevent BV are:<\/p>\n

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              • Avoid douching, which disrupts your vaginal bacteria.<\/li>\n
              • Wipe front to back after going to the bathroom.<\/li>\n
              • Use latex condoms or dental dams during sex.<\/li>\n
              • Wear breathable, cotton underwear, especially in environments where you\u2019ll be sweating a lot. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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                Good to Know<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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                • BV is the most common type of vaginal infection. <\/li>\n
                • BV is not an STI. <\/li>\n
                • BV affects about one out of three women ages 14-49 in the U.S.<\/li>\n
                • Douching can worsen BV symptoms. <\/li>\n
                • BV is not a yeast infection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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                  Chlamydia<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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                  Symptoms<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

                  It\u2019s common for chlamydia to have no symptoms. <\/p>\n

                  If you do have symptoms, they might include:<\/p>\n

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                  • Pain when you pee<\/li>\n
                  • Painful sex<\/li>\n
                  • Pain in your lower belly<\/li>\n
                  • Yellowish vaginal discharge with a strong smell<\/li>\n
                  • Bleeding between periods<\/li>\n
                  • Pain, discharge and\/or bleeding around the anus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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                    Causes<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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                    • Chlamydia is an STI caused by having unprotected sex with a partner who has the infection.<\/li>\n
                    • Chlamydia can also be passed from a pregnant person to the baby during childbirth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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                      Treatment<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

                      An HCP will prescribe antibiotics to treat and cure chlamydia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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                      Prevention<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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                      • The only way to completely prevent an STI is by not having sex, including vaginal, anal or oral sex. If you do have sex, always use a condom made from latex or polyurethane, not lambskin.<\/li>\n
                      • Before having sex, make sure you and your partner get tested for STIs.<\/li>\n
                      • If you are being treated for chlamydia, don\u2019t have sex for 7 days after beginning your treatment to prevent reinfection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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                        Good to Know<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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                        • Chlamydia is the most common STI in the military. <\/li>\n
                        • When chlamydia isn\u2019t treated, it can lead to serious health issues in women, such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. <\/li>\n
                        • Women and men, as well as babies born to mothers with untreated chlamydia, can get infected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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                          Gonorrhea (\u201cThe Clap\u201d)<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

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                          Symptoms<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n

                          Most people with gonorrhea don\u2019t have symptoms. <\/p>\n

                          If you do have symptoms, they may include:<\/p>\n