Ask Kayla Quinn

Extremely common, almost every woman will get one type of vaginitis or another in her life. Oh joy. I have jokingly said, "Having a pussy is like having a constantly open wound. It takes nothing to get it infected and forever for it to clear up once it is." While that comment has been made in jest, it is somewhat fitting.

The vagina has an extremely delicate pH range (between 3.8-4.5). All vaginas have bacteria in them. "Good" bacteria help keep the vagina a little-bit acidic. This keeps "Bad" bacteria from growing too fast. A healthy vagina makes a mucus-like discharge that may look clear or a little milky, depending on the time of a woman's monthly cycle. When the balance between the "Good" bacteria and the "Bad" bacteria is upset, "Bad" bacteria grow too fast and cause infections. Discharge may have a funny color or a bad smell. Sometimes these "Bad" bacteria and other germs that cause vaginitis can be spread through sex. Other things that can upset the balance of the vagina are:

• antibiotics (medicines)
• pregnancy
• douching
• damp underwear
• tight pants
• poor diet
• vaginal products (sprays, lubricants, birth control devices)

Let's break this down by type of infection:

Basic symptoms of a BV?

• a strong fishy smell, especially after sex
• white or grey discharge
• watery or foamy discharge

Some cases are so mild that women don't know they have it.

Basic symptoms of yeast:

• thick, white "cottage cheese" discharge
• pain, itching, burning, or redness around the vagina
• a smell like baking bread

Basic symptoms of trichomoniasis:

Ok trichomoniasis can affect both guys and gals, symptoms are more common in women (of course, seems to always be the way). Most guys with trichomoniasis do not have any signs or symptoms. However, some may have a temporary irritation inside the penis, mild discharge, or a slight burning sensation after peeing or ejaculating. Women, on the other hand, get to deal with one or more of these symptoms:

• discharge that is green, yellow or grey
• a bad smell
• itching in or around the vagina
• pain during sex
• pain when peeing (urinating).

Think you might have vaginitis? Here's the drill for taking care of it:

• Schedule the exam when you're not having your monthly period.
• Don't douche 24 hours before your exam.
• Don't use vaginal sprays 24 hours before your exam.
• If you have sex less than 24 hours before the exam, use condoms.

There are ways to minimize your risk of vaginitis...

• Wash your vaginal area every day. Use mild soap. Rinse well and pat dry.
• Wipe your vagina and anus from front to back.
• Don't douche too often, this can upset the natural balance of the vagina.
• Take antibiotics only when needed. Antibiotics can kill "good" bacteria.
• Limit the number of your sex partners (hahahaha).
• Always use condoms with a new partner or with multiple partners.
• Wear cotton or cotton-lined underpants.
• Don't wear tight pants and don't wear panty hose in hot weather.
• See your health care provider if you have any unusual discharge or smell.

BV and yeast vaginitis are not sexually transmitted, so you need not announce it to the world or frantically try to contact past sexual partners to 'warn' them. Trichomoniasis, however, can be swapped back and forth. Make sure your partner(s) get checked out and treated if needed to keep from constantly re-infecting each other.