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I've just had my first condom break ever. I'm on the pill, so I'm not worried about pregnancy, but a couple of days afterwards I had yeast infection-like symptoms — no unusual discharge, just itching. If I pick up some over-the-counter yeast infection medication and the symptoms go away, would I be safe to assume that was the problem? Or should I definitely go in for an STD check?
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Right on with that back-up method of birth control! Not having to worry about an unplanned pregnancy after the condom rupture is probably a big relief. If you don't have any symptoms besides itching, you probably don't have a yeast infection. You may have a sexually transmitted infection (STD) or some other vaginal ailment.
There are various sexually transmitted infections (STDs) and a few common ailments unrelated to sex that include itching as a symptom. The most common STD that causes itching is trichomoniasis. Trichmoniasis (or trich, pronounced "trick") is caused by microscopic protozoa. It usually produces large amounts of discharge and can be treated with medication. Often, herpes also begins as an itch in the vaginal area. Herpes may progress to blistery sores that tingle or burn. Because so many people carry the herpes virus, doctors don't usually test for it unless sores are visible. Pubic lice also make you want to scratch. They come in three forms: nit, nymph, and adult and are diagnosed by looking for the little beasties on your pubes.
In the non-STD category, yeast and bacterial infections are another common cause of vaginal itching and are often accompanied by unusual discharge, burning, and pain. If you don't have these other symptoms, it's probably best not to use yeast medication because the medication itself can upset the bacterial balance in your vagina. Wearing cotton underwear and loose-fitting pants, using mild body soap and laundry detergent, and avoiding douching may help with vaginal itching. If your itching doesn't go away in a week or so, you may want to see a health care provider to help with a diagnosis.
In any case, because many STDs are asymptomatic (meaning you can't see or feel any signs) it's also a good idea to get annual screenings for things like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV if you are having sex with a new partner, and especially if you have reason to believe you may have been exposed to something. You might want to encourage your partners to be tested as well.
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