Symptoms you may be searching for
If any of these brought you here, you are in the right place.
- white discharge
- white discharge with smell
- itching down there
- burning while passing urine
- curd-like discharge
- yellow or green discharge
- fishy smell after intercourse
- pain during intercourse
- lump near private part
- discharge again and again
See a doctor soon
Discharge with fever and pain low in the tummy can be an infection of the uterus and tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease) and needs treatment that day. Any bleeding after intercourse, or repeated bleeding between periods, is not an infection symptom and needs a proper check of the cervix; see gynaecological cancer screening and care in Chennai.
What causes white discharge and vaginal infections?
The vagina cleans itself. Clear or white discharge that increases mid-cycle, before a period, in pregnancy or with sexual excitement is normal (physiological discharge). It has no strong smell and does not itch. Antibiotics, uncontrolled sugar, pregnancy, washing inside the vagina (douching) or a new partner can upset the vagina's natural balance. Three infections cause most cases.
- Yeast infection (candidiasis). Thick white discharge like curd, strong itching and redness. Little smell. Common after antibiotics, in pregnancy and with diabetes.
- Bacterial vaginosis (BV). Thin grey-white discharge with a fishy smell, worse after intercourse. Usually no itching. Not sexually transmitted, but it needs treatment, especially in pregnancy.
- Trichomonas. Frothy yellow-green discharge with a smell, itching and burning. Passed between partners, so both need treatment.
Burning while passing urine with the urge to go often is usually a urine infection, though the two often come together. A painful lump near the private part, at the vaginal opening, is most often a blocked gland (Bartholin cyst) that has become infected, or a boil.
When you should see a doctor
Come in if you have any of these, rather than treating it yourself:
- Discharge that itches, burns, smells, or has turned yellow, green or grey.
- Curd-like discharge with itching that has come back more than twice in a year.
- Burning while passing urine, or passing urine often in small amounts.
- Pain during intercourse, at the entrance or deep inside.
- A lump, swelling or boil near the vaginal opening, especially if painful or growing.
- Discharge or itching in pregnancy, since some infections raise the risk of early labour.
Teenagers are seen too, usually with a parent and without an internal examination; see adolescent gynaecology for teenage period problems.
How it is diagnosed at RV Clinic
Most infections can be told apart from your description and a look. Dr. Ragavi asks about the colour, smell and timing of the discharge, itching, urine symptoms, periods, pregnancy, diabetes, and what you have already tried.
The examination takes a couple of minutes, in the separate examination room with the lady attender present. A speculum (a small instrument) lets her see the discharge and the cervix. A swab is sent for culture when the picture is unclear or the infection keeps returning.
A urine test (routine and culture) is done when there is burning or frequency, so that a urine infection is neither missed nor treated as a vaginal one. If yeast keeps coming back, blood sugar (fasting and HbA1c) is checked, because uncontrolled diabetes is the commonest hidden cause. A pelvic scan is needed only for pain, fever, or a lump.
A note on scans
Sex determination of the foetus is not done at RV Clinic, and no scan report here will state it. It is a punishable offence under the PCPNDT Act, 1994.
Treatment options
Treatment matches the germ, which is why guessing fails. A cream that cures yeast does nothing for BV, and the antibiotic for BV makes yeast worse.
Yeast infection
An antifungal vaginal pessary or cream for a few nights, or a single fluconazole tablet. In pregnancy only vaginal forms are used. Recurrent yeast (four or more episodes a year) gets a longer suppressive course, and sugar control if diabetes is found.
Bacterial vaginosis
A short course of metronidazole tablets or a vaginal gel, safe in pregnancy. Partners do not usually need treatment, but douching and scented washes must stop, or it returns.
Trichomonas
Tablets for you and your partner at the same time, and no intercourse until both have finished.
Urine infection
An antibiotic chosen from the urine culture, plenty of water, and a look for causes if it keeps returning. After menopause, local oestrogen cream prevents repeats; see menopause care in Chennai.
Bartholin cyst or boil
A small cyst that does not hurt needs nothing. An infected one is treated early with antibiotics and warm compresses. An abscess needs draining, or a small permanent opening (marsupialisation), as a short procedure at the affiliated hospital.
Pain during intercourse
Once infection is treated, pain that continues is looked at properly: dryness, tight pelvic muscles, a healed tear, or endometriosis. Each has its own treatment.
Throughout: no douching, no soap or antiseptic inside, cotton underwear, and finish the course even when the itching stops early. Condoms are the one method that also protects against infection; see contraception and family planning advice.
Where treatment happens
Almost every vaginal infection is diagnosed and treated in one visit at RV Clinic Madipakkam or RV Clinic Thalambur, whichever is closer to you. Only a Bartholin abscess that needs draining, or a cyst that keeps returning, goes to Unittas Multispeciality Hospital, where Dr. Ragavi does the procedure herself. It is 21 km from the Madipakkam clinic and 5 km from the Thalambur clinic. RV Clinic is an outpatient clinic. No operation is done at either clinic address. Thalambur, off OMR, has evening hours.
What to expect at your appointment
- Call or WhatsApp. If you can, avoid creams and vaginal washes for two days before the visit, so the discharge can be seen as it is.
- A short speculum examination with the lady attender present. A swab or urine sample if needed.
- You usually get the diagnosis and prescription at the visit, with instructions on hygiene and partner treatment.
- A review in one to two weeks only if symptoms persist.
Frequently asked questions
Vellai padutal normal-a?
Often, yes. Clear or white discharge without itching or smell is the vagina keeping itself clean. It becomes a problem when it itches, smells, changes colour, or comes with burning or pain.
Can I just buy an antifungal cream from the pharmacy?
It works only if the problem is yeast, and women guessing on their own are wrong about half the time. One visit tells you what it is.
Why does my infection keep coming back?
Common reasons: the wrong treatment, stopping early, uncontrolled sugar, douching, an untreated partner (for trichomonas), or antibiotics for other illnesses. Recurrent yeast is treated with a longer course and a sugar test.
Does my husband need treatment?
For trichomonas, yes, always, at the same time. For BV, usually not. For yeast, only if he has itching or redness.
Arippu irukku, burning-um irukku. Urine infection-a, illa vaginal infection-a?
Itching with discharge points to the vagina. Burning with frequent urine and a heavy feeling low in the tummy points to the bladder. A urine test and a quick examination settle it in one visit.
Is a vaginal infection dangerous in pregnancy?
Yeast is a nuisance, not a danger, and vaginal treatments are safe. BV and trichomonas are linked to early labour and are treated with medicines that are safe in pregnancy. Tell the doctor you are pregnant before any tablet is prescribed.
Book a consultation
Itching, discharge with smell, burning, or a lump: call or WhatsApp RV Clinic. Most patients are seen the same day and leave with a diagnosis and treatment.