Yeast infections

Vaginal yeast infections are common among women of all ages. They're caused by an overgrowth of the yeast that is naturally present in the vagina and symptoms of infection include itching, excess discharge and painful urination.

What you can do: Yeast infections are relatively easy to treat. Often, an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal treatment may be all you need. The caveat: The symptoms of yeast infection are smiliar to other kinds of infections, and a lot of times, women purchase these antifungal drugs thinking they have a yeast infection when what they really have is a bacterial infection like bacterial vaginosis. If you're not certain that yeast is the cause of your infection, consult your doctor.

Bacteria vaginosis

Bacteria vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of child-bearing age, especially among those who are very sexually active, who have multiple partners or who douch. It occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria. Symptoms are smiliar to those of a yeast infection, namely discharge, odor, pain, itching or burning.

What you can do: If you suspect you have BV, see your doctor for antibiotics. If left untreated, it can increase your susceptibility for STDs or urinary tract infections, and may cause complications if you're pregnant.