3 Common Infections That Can Affect the Female Reproductive System

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The female reproductive system is vulnerable to various infections. The main problem is that infections can develop asymptomatically or cause mild symptoms that may be unnoticeable. As a result, you may get severe damage to your reproductive health and even don’t know about this. 

Infections that affect the female reproductive system should be treated as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may get serious complications like chronic pelvic pain and infertility. In this article, we have gathered three common infections that can affect the female reproductive system.

1. Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections that can be spread through sexual intercourse. It is important to know that STIs can be transmitted not only through vaginal sex. Unprotected anal and oral sex can also contribute to the spread of these infections. 

If a woman is infected with STIs, she may not experience symptoms for the first few weeks. Additionally, many women were infected with gonorrhea or trichomoniasis for years and found that they are infected only after STD testing. The most common symptoms of STIs include:

• Abnormal vaginal discharge

• Unpleasant smell from genitals

• Rash and blisters

• Pain during sex

• Vaginal itching

You should understand that if you were infected with STIs, your sexual partner or partners should also be treated. Otherwise, you may become reinfected right after the end of the treatment course. 

2. Yeast infection

Yeast infection is an extremely common health issue that affects many people. Even though this condition usually affects women, men can also get it. Yeast infection is not considered an STI but it can be easily spread through sexual intercourse. 

Your vaginal has a lot of various bacteria and fungi that usually don’t cause any symptoms. But when the balance is upset by a certain factor like medication, a weakened immune system, or other causes, the Candida fungi can multiply actively. Their activity leads to thick white discharge, severe vaginal itching, and redness.

Even though yeast infection is not so dangerous, it requires timely treatment. You can ask your gynecologist about OTC antifungal medications. Various home remedies can also be used as an additional treatment but it is better not to rely only on them. 

3. Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is an infection that occurs when bacteria that inhabit your vagina start to overgrow. Your vagina usually has a great number of various bacteria that are controlled by lactobacillus. When the number of these bacteria decreases significantly, other bacteria start to multiply actively. 

The most common causes of bacterial vaginosis are:

• Douching
• Poor intimate hygiene
• New sexual partner

Douching (especially with harsh chemicals) can reduce the number of “good” bacteria in your vagina. Poor intimate hygiene can also lead to bacteria overgrowth. Additionally, a forgotten tampon can cause a suitable environment for bacterial vaginosis development. Some women also admit that having sex with a new partner can lead to the development of bacterial vaginosis. 

In some women, bacterial vaginosis can develop asymptomatically while others may experience vaginal itching, abnormal discharge, burning sensations during urination, and unpleasant vaginal odor. Treatment for bacterial vaginosis usually includes antibiotics in form of oral pills, vaginal creams, or gels. As STIs, untreated bacterial vaginosis can lead to PID.  

The bottom line

It is important to understand that the aforementioned infections can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms and even damage your reproductive health. That’s why it is essential to visit your gynecologist regularly and follow the doctor’s recommendations strictly. Timely treatment can eliminate unpleasant symptoms and improve your well-being.