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Can A Yeast Infection Cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)?
PID is an infection of the female reproductive organs. It's often the result of an untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI). Yeast infections are not considered a contributing factor.
"Yeast infections can cause some of the same symptoms but typically do not cause pelvic inflammatory disease," says Michelle Forcier, MD, a gender-affirming clinician with virtual healthcare service FOLX.
In the vast majority of cases, PID develops when a bacterial STI is left undetected and, therefore, untreated, says Michael Ingber, MD, urologist and female pelvic medicine specialist at The Center for Specialized Women's Health in New Jersey.
However, people who have a yeast infection and a bacterial STI may be more likely to develop PID than people who have a bacterial STI alone, explains Ingber.
STIs are generally classified as bacterial, viral, or parasitic. Bacterial STIs associated with PID include:
While syphilis is a bacterial STI, it typically does not cause PID.
PID is also not usually caused by viral or parasitic STIs, like herpes simplex virus, HPV, or HIV, according to Ingber.
But people who have PID are more likely to contract syphilis, HIV, and other STIs if they're exposed. Many healthcare professionals recommend undergoing a full STI panel after a PID diagnosis.
"Not everyone gets PID as a result of an STI, but PID can be a serious complication of an STI and is to be avoided with regular testing and proper treatment," explains Forcier.
If you're experiencing PID symptoms or other pelvic discomfort, consult with a healthcare professional. They can determine the underlying cause and advise you on any next steps.
"Most of the time, pelvic inflammatory disease can be treated with outpatient antibiotics," says Forcier.
If it's been a while since you were last screened for STIs, consider making an appointment at your local health department or Planned Parenthood for testing.
As Forcier puts it, "It's easier to treat an STI than full-blown PID."
Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a queer sex educator and wellness journalist who is committed to helping people feel the best they can in their bodies. In addition to Healthline, her work has appeared in publications such as Shape, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Health, Self, Women's Health, Greatist, and more! In her free time, Gabrielle can be found coaching CrossFit, reviewing pleasure products, hiking with her border collie, or recording episodes of the podcast she co-hosts called Bad In Bed. Follow her on Instagram @Gabriellekassel.
Vaginal Or Vulvar Itchiness? How To Deal With 'down There' Discomfort, According To Experts
(Illustration by Yahoo News; photos: Getty)
Itchiness anywhere is unpleasant, but when the feeling is "down there," it can be especially awkward to navigate — not to mention difficult to interpret.
"A lot of people say 'vaginal itchiness,' when they really mean 'vulvar itchiness,'" Dr. Andrea Braden, an ob-gyn in Atlanta, tells Yahoo Life, referring to the internal passage connecting to a woman's uterus rather than her external genitals. "The first thing you want to figure out is if it is internal or external, or if it's both."
There are many known causes of vaginal or vulvar itching, and they can range from the most mundane causes (like a new shower gel) to something much more serious. While itching of the vulva and vagina may not always indicate that something is wrong, it's important to confer with a medical professional in order to find the source of the issue.
Here are some causes of vulvar and vaginal itchiness, according to experts — and what to know about them.
Yeast infectionOne of the more common causes of vulvar and vaginal itching is a yeast infection, which can be caused by an overgrowth of fungus called candida. According to the Cleveland Clinic, there are several reasons why one might develop a yeast infection. Antibiotics, birth control, pregnancy, a weakened immune system and diabetes are all potential risk factors, but lifestyle choices like sitting in a wet bathing suit, not changing out of sweaty clothes or using scented vaginal products like tampons or deodorant can also contribute.
"A yeast infection often has vaginal discharge, and it tends to be neutral smelling and white-ish in color with clumps in it, almost like cottage cheese," says Braden. "It's almost a slam-dunk diagnosis if you're having itching and that discharge, and you can treat it at home."
Treatment: According to VeryWell Health, "Mild vaginal yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter anti-fungal creams, inserts, and tablets." However, a more severe or recurring yeast infection may require prescription treatments. "Your healthcare provider may prescribe a one-time dose or a multi-day dose depending on the nature of your yeast infection," VeryWell Health says.
IrritationA common cause of irritation, which can lead to itchiness, is using products that shouldn't be anywhere near one's vulva.
"Women are told they should use all these vulvar washes and other products, and it's really poison to the vulva," says Dr. Lauren Streicher, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University. "It's not meant for vulvar use, even if the product says it is. All these perfumes and chemicals can cause a lot of problems in terms of itching and burning and irritation."
Treatment: Ceasing use of these products will clear up the issue, says Streicher. "I ran a vulvar clinic, and one of the first things we would tell women when they came to the vulvar clinic is stop using all this junk on their vulva. Nothing. Not even soap," she says. "There are certain soaps that are better than others, but for someone who is having problems, we tell them, 'Just rinse with water. You will not smell. I promise.'"
Some people may mistake a burning sensation for itching, but Streicher says that feeling is more likely from bacterial vaginosis (BV), which "leads to an alteration in the microbiome, or your bacterial content." Your pH can be thrown off by things like sex and douching (which comes with the risk of eliminating good bacteria along with the bad).
"With BV, we tend to see more of a foul-smelling, fishy discharge. The color tends to be more greenish, or green-gray," says Braden.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BV is associated with a higher risk of getting or passing on HIV as well as giving birth prematurely, if you are pregnant.
Treatment: "A lot of people have BV, and it doesn't cause them problems," says Braden. "I treat that when it is bothersome, because some people report itchiness." People who do want treatment will need antibiotics.
Lichen sclerosusLichen sclerosus is a skin condition that can cause itching and pain, and while any body part can be affected, it typically involves the genitals, which can lead to vaginal and vulvar itching.
"Lichen sclerosus is very, very important to diagnose because in addition to the fact that it can be really uncomfortable and miserable, there are long-term problems, if it's untreated, of increased risk of vulvar cancer down the road," says Streicher.
Treatment: According to VeryWell Health, "The first-line treatment involves the use of a very potent steroid ointment. Lifelong follow-up and care are needed since flares can occur even after you control symptoms. When scarring occurs, surgery may be advised."
Vulvar cancerItching that doesn't go away can be a sign of vulvar cancer, while vaginal cancer is typically accompanied by painful and frequent urination.
Streicher stresses the importance of seeing a gynecologist rather than just a general practitioner, who is more experienced in dealing with vulvar and vaginal issues. "Vulvar cancer is typically seen in older people, but one of the risk factors is lichen sclerosus, the dermatologic condition that affects the vulva," she says.
Other risk factors for vulvar cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic, include HPV, smoking, a weakened immune system and a history of precancerous conditions on the vulva.
Streicher stresses the importance of looking at your vulva so you can see any potential abnormalities and to "know when there's a sore or discoloration or something different on your skin," she explains. "If you don't know what you look like when all is normal, you won't know what you look like when something is abnormal."
Treatment: Your doctor can come up with a plan to treat vulvar cancer, and treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
What Causes Burning In The Vagina?
1. Irritation
Certain things can irritate the skin of the vagina when they come into direct contact with it. This is known as contact dermatitis.
Irritants that can cause contact dermatitis include soaps, fabrics, and perfumes. As well as burning, other signs and symptoms include:
The main treatment for irritation is to avoid whatever is causing it. Avoiding the irritant and not itching the area allow the skin to heal. Sometimes, a person may require medication.
2. Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition that occurs when there is too much of a certain type of bacteria in the vagina, affecting the normal balance. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BV is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15–44.
One symptom of BV is a burning sensation in the vagina, which can also occur when urinating.
BV does not always cause symptoms. When it does, symptoms can include:
Having BV can increase a person's risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If someone develops symptoms of BV, they should be checked and treated by a doctor. Treatment for this condition will often involve a course of antibiotics.
3. Yeast infection
An infection in the vagina caused by yeast can lead to a burning sensation. The medical term for this is candidiasis, and it is also known as thrush.
Associated symptoms include:
Many women get yeast infections, but some women are more likely to develop an infection if they:
Treatment is usually an antifungal medicine, which a woman can either apply directly in the form of a cream or take orally as a capsule.
4. Urinary tract infection
Different parts of the urinary tract can become infected, including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys.
A woman with a urinary tract infection (UTI) will likely feel burning in the vagina when urinating. Other symptoms of a UTI include:
Doctors will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections. In general, an infection will clear up in around 5 days after starting a course of antibiotics.
Repeat prescriptions may be required if an infection returns.
5. Trichomoniasis
Also known as trich, this is a very common STD in the United States. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite that is passed from one person to another during sexual intercourse.
Only around 30 percent of people with trich show any symptoms. As well as a burning sensation in the vagina, these symptoms may include:
Trichomoniasis is treated using metronidazole or tinidazole, which are pills taken by mouth.
6. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is an infection where bacteria called Neisseria gonorrheae infect mucous membranes, such as the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. It is typically transmitted through sexual contact with someone who has the infection.
This STD is particularly common in people aged 15 to 24. Women can experience vaginal burning when urinating, as well as these symptoms:
Gonorrhea can be cured with the right medical treatment.
7. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis and is typically transmitted through sexual contact with someone who has the infection.
Research suggests that at least 70 percent of people with chlamydia experience no symptoms, which is why the condition is sometimes known as a "silent" infection.
When symptoms do occur, they can include a burning sensation in the vagina, as well as:
Chlamydia is treated using antibiotics. The most commonly prescribed is doxycycline.
8. Genital herpes
Genital herpes is caused by skin-to-skin contact with a person with the herpes virus. It is estimated that around 1 in 6 people in the U.S. Aged 14 to 49 have genital herpes, and women are more prone to infection than men.
Once a person has the virus, it stays with them for life. However, they may not develop any signs or symptoms until the virus becomes active.
If the virus becomes active, they might experience a burning sensation in the vagina. Other symptoms include:
Painful sores, blisters, or ulcers may also develop after a few days.
The symptoms of genital herpes can be treated with antiviral medication but never cured.
9. Menopause
The shifting levels of hormones in a woman's body before she enters menopause can affect the vagina. Vaginal burning is one possible result of these changes, especially during sex.
Other common symptoms of menopause transition include:
Not all women entering menopause have treatment to relieve symptoms, but there are often options available that a doctor can outline, including hormone therapy.
10. Genital contact allergies
The immune systems in some women can become hypersensitive to certain substances.
These substances can cause allergic irritation when they come into contact with the vagina, including:
Treatment mainly involves avoiding the substance that is causing the irritation. Patch testing using the suspected allergen to stimulate a controlled reaction in a clinical setting can help to identify which substance is creating the burning sensation.
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