|
Vaginal Infection? Yellow Discharge For a Year?
To begin, I have never had sex. I have fooled around with my boyfriend but he's the only one I've ever been with. However, and I don't know if fooling around is the cause, I've had a yellowish creamy discharge problem. From what I can remember, it's been like this for maybe a year but I always thought it was normal so I never found a need to say anything. But from what I've been reading, it sounds like a problem. I don't go to the gynocologist so I really don't know what to do. Are there any medicines that I can buy at a store that would fix this? Any help is appreciated, thanks. 17/f
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Sexual Health and Reproduction category?
Maybe give some free advice about: General Sex Questions?
OKay my answer before was wrong where I said that it's normal and even greenish is healthy....I was wrong okay? I have had "Family Life" many times and I dont know who told me this but I was told it was normal so Im sorry and you should go to your doctor just incase.
]
Does it smell really bad? Is it a disturbing texture? Does it soak through your underwear?
Because if not, it may well just be normal everyday discharge. Every vagina secretes fluids daily. You don't say how old you are, but if you're in your early teens, then it just may be another notch of puberty working its magic in you.
If I were you, for peace of mind, go to your family doctor (You don't need a gyno for this) and have him or her take a look at you and answer your question. My guess is you're fine.
Don't buy any medications for yeast infections or anything of the sort. The vagina is not something to mess around with if it's fine.
]
While you can purchase things like yeast infection treatment from your regular supermarket, it isn't something you want to do.
Yellow discharge can be a sign of a whole bunch of things, as you may know from your internet research on it. The truth is, even virgins can have STDs and can you can easily contract these illnesses from your own hands and fingers during masturbation. It's very possible you have something like that even.
There is also the possibility that this is a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections have very similar symptoms of yeast infections. Yeast infections are fairly harmless--only kind of a nuisance or irritating. Bacterial infections can be very harmful though. They can leave you with life-long pelvic pain from a condition, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, that occurs if it's left untreated for so long. It also can make you completely infertile if you don't get it treated promptly. It does a lot of serious damage for having such little signs and symptoms.
The reason doctor's want you to come in for a check-up for problems that look like a basic yeast infection is because it can turn out to be the serious bacterial infection or even an STD. A lot of women feel that they know everything about their bodies and so will go on and purchase items like Monistat (over the counter yeast infection treatment) only to find out later that if they would have gone to the doctor in the first place that they would be healthier and happier in the long run.
Being 17, it's time to see a gynecologist for the first time. It might sound a little frightening since it's new but it's absolutely necessary.
We can't tell you for sure what the problem is but we can point you in the right direction. Before even considering over the counter treatments you need to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. The issue might turn out to be nothing really or it could be something very serious.
It's you're health we're talking about. A 17 year old girl should be seeing a doctor for regular pap smears to ensure your own health anyway. It's actually recommended that you start these yearly check-ups once you begin having your periods. You may have already had your period for years now so it's plenty enough time to get checked out.
You might want to speak with your mother first to see what doctor she goes to for a good recommendation. She might even be kind enough to call and set up the appointment for you. You don't have to tell her anything except that you're having some female discharge problems and you want to see a doctor about it. Yeast infections can be caused by nearly anything so your mother probably won't ask too many more questions about what you think the problem is. Chances are, she's dealt with things like this herself.
If you just can't speak with your mother then you're going to have to do the calling yourself. There are lots of gynecologists listed in the phone book or you can call your local health department for assistance. Since you're underage, you may still need to let your mother know you have a doctor's appointment so it can be paid for. If you go to the health department for a check-up then it's likely you won't be charged if you're on the poorer side of the financial line. There are also places like Planned Parenthood which will help you get checked for a low, affordable fee.
There isn't any way around this. It's time to get your very first pap smear. It won't be too bad so don't worry. It's for your own health.
The pap smear will show cancerous cells, bacterial infections, and yeast infections so it's definitely something you want to have done regularly. If you explain your symptoms to your doctor he may want to take a vial of blood for a STD test--which I highly recommend suggesting to him anyway, just in case. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
Talk with the doctor about any other questions you have about your body. It's very important that things like this are handled quickly so don't be afraid to say, "Oh, and there is this other thing I didn't mention but I thought you might know something about..." They hear and see it all, trust me.
I hope things go well.
]
It sucks for a few reasons, but you should go to a gyno sometime, even if you're not sexually active. There are a lot of ups, and better safe than sorry.
If it's an infection, and it's been happening for a year, something is up. And if it worsens I would seriously consider it.. Plus, they'll check for other things like cervical cancer, etc.
Take care of yourself :)
I doubt anything at the store could fix such a long term thing. But as weird as it sounds, google it and maybe you'll get a few more answers.
Good luck :)
]
More Questions: |