I HAVE A VAGINAL INFECTION

Treating infections is a game of giving and take. You want to stop the infection early on, but on the other hand, you don’t want to over-treat yourself. The vaginal environment is fragile balance and is easily put off balance. Your doctor needs to diagnose you.

Sometimes, you can get an infection more than once. Some people are more prone to getting infections than others. If you experience the same infection repeatedly, get to know yourself and examine your life to see if you can identify what triggers it. 

LIVING WITH AN INFECTION

You and your doctor will come up with a treatment plan for you to follow.

This section is only to help you understand your situation. Be aware that there can be contributing factors that can help you overcome an infection. For example, if you wash your vagina with soap, you will weaken the bacteria that fight infection.  If you use scented products,  they can irritate your skin, making it more fragile. The friction from tight pants or underwear might also disturb your balances.

Let your skin breathe! Your vagina is a self-cleaning organ; simple water will do the trick. Read Do I have an infection for more knowledge.

SINGLE

Stay sexually focused on yourself; it is much easier to avoid sexuality when no one is asking. At first, motivation might lack. Put sexual pleasure on the calendar. Find inspiration in The Love Bit. 

Aren’t you sexually active, make sure to have a good blood circulation in your pelvic region. Good blood circulation can make you stronger. (Props & Pearls recommends)  

Try to stay well hydrated so that your urine is clear and in a fine yellowish colour. Keep your skin moist and train your pelvic muscles so they can stay fit to contract and relax at will. Discuss with your doctor what is right for you to do.  Read Manage

You might be quite sensitive to bacteria changes and engaging in sex with casual partners can be what sets off a new infection. If you know that you can use condoms, they are as always good to use.

Be sure that you are well lubricated and try to urinate after sex, and try if rinsing yourself with water after sex does you right. Semen has a basic pH level, which is the opposite of the vagina’s acidic one. That alone can be enough to make you prone to infection.

RELATIONSHIP

When it itches, smells, looks strange, burns, and feels like something is not right down there, make sure to let your partner know what is going on so they can better understand your situation.

Your skin might be fragile, so take care of it and use lubrication during sex, and let cream or vulva balm nurture you if you are going to protect your skin from daily friction.  (Props & Pearls recommends). Discuss with your doctor what is right for you to use. 

Be sure to use barrier methods (i.e. condoms) if your infection is contagious. Your partner might be the one infecting you. Have you both been tested?

THE SEX

Be gentle! You don’t want to irritate or break your skin.  It could make you prone to other infections. Having an infection, which is not contagious, usually is no obstacle to sexual activity. But it might not be so nice, as it can be painful.

Engaging in painful sexual activity is no good for either body or mind.  You could start associating sex with pain and discomfort, making it hard for you to enjoy (Read Vaginismus). Instead, take a break from intercourse, so you don’t engage in activity providing discomfort. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy each other sexually. If you are in local treatment having sexual intercourse might prevent the medicine from being correctly absorbed – or your lover might absorb it.