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Home > Health Tools > Search by Symptom > Genital Problems in Women

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Genital Problems in Women

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See complet e list of chart s.

Vaginal irrit at ion and discharge are common problems f or many women. Follow t his chart f or
help in underst anding and self -t reat ing many of t hese problems.
SYMPT OMS

DIAGNOSIS

SELF-CARE

Begin Here

1. Do you have a
vaginal discharge t hat
is normal in color,
consist ency and smell,
but has t he amount
increased?

Yes

T his is most likely

relat ed t o normal
hormone changes or
use of oral
cont racept ives.

See your doct or if t he

condit ion worsens or
bot hers you.

You may have a yeast

inf ect ion or
CANDIDIASIS. FUNGAL
INFECT IONS and
IRRITAT ION f rom
f eminine hygiene
sprays can also cause
a rash.

See your doct or if t his

is t he f irst t ime you've
had t hese sympt oms.
Yeast inf ect ions may
be t reat ed wit h overt he-count er medicines.
Wear cot t on underwear
and avoid t ight clot hing
t o allow t he area t o
breat he. Fungal
inf ect ions may be
t reat ed wit h an overt he-count er ant if ungal
cream.

No

2. Do you have a
discharge t hat is whit e
and curd-like, or are you
experiencing vaginal or
labial redness, it ching
and irrit at ion?
Yes

No

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3. Do you have a
greenish yellow
discharge wit h an
unpleasant odor?

Go to Question 5.*
No

Yes

4. Are you experiencing

abdominal pain or pain
during sex?

Yes

No

*5. Do you have a

t ender swelling of t he
vaginal opening or
swelling of one labia?

Yes

You may have PELVIC

INFLAMMAT ORY
DISEASE (PID), a
serious inf ect ion around
your f allopian t ubes,
ovaries and ut erus, or a
sexually t ransmit t ed
inf ect ion such as
T RICHOMONIASIS.

URGENT
See your doct or right
away.

Your discharge may be

f rom BACT ERIAL
VAGINOSIS.

See your doct or.

T his swelling might be

f rom an INFECT ION in a
mucous gland or an
ABSCESS or inf ect ion
in t he labia.

URGENT
See your doct or right
away.

HERPES inf ect ions and

ot her SEXUALLY
T RANSMIT T ED
INFECT IONS of t en
st art wit h a sore.

See your doct or.

No

6. Do you have a sore

or raw area on t he
out side or inside of t he
vagina?

Yes

No

7. Do you have pain

wit h int ercourse?

Go to Question 10.**
No

Yes

8. Does your vagina

seem dry, or are you
experiencing vaginal
it ching and irrit at ion?

Painf ul int ercourse may

be a sign of INFECT ION
or HORMONE
DEFICIENCY.
Yes

See your doct or. He or

she can det ermine t he
cause of your
sympt oms and suggest
t he best t reat ment f or
you. Vaginal dryness
can be relieved wit h

Generated from

vaginal lubricant s.
No

9. Are you anxious

about having sex?

Yes

Painf ul int ercourse can

be due t o
VAGINISMUS, an
involunt ary spasm of
t he muscles around t he
vagina.

See your doct or if you

t hink you may have
vaginismus. Treat ment
is available. Cert ain
exercises, including t he
cont ract ion and
relaxat ion of pelvic
muscles, may help
improve muscle cont rol.

You may have a

bladder inf ect ion, or
CYST IT IS.

See your doct or.

Bladder inf ect ions are
t reat ed wit h ant ibiot ics.
Drinking cranberry juice
may help prevent
bladder inf ect ions.

T his may be a
sympt om of ST RESS
INCONT INENCE, a
common condit ion af t er
giving birt h.

Discuss t he problem
wit h your doct or. You
can st rengt hen your
bladder wit h Kegel
exercises. Empt y your
bladder f requent ly t o
help prevent urine leaks.
Prot ect ive shields or
adult diapers may also
help. Surgery may also
be an opt ion.

No

**10. Do you have pain

wit h urinat ion?
Yes

No

11. Do you leak urine

when you cough, laugh
or lif t an object ?

Yes

No

For more inf ormat ion,

please t alk t o your
doct or. If you t hink t he
problem is serious, call
your doct or right away.
This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a
substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make
decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your
individual condition(s) and/or circumstances. Source: American Academy of Family Physicians.
Family Health & Medical Guide. Dallas: Word Publishing; 1996.
See complet e list of chart s.

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