Dear Counsellor,
Can you tell me about vaginal infections? I get vaginal infections very often.
I have never consulted a doctor, but my boyfriend told me that I should stop being so sceptical; all women get vaginal infections, and so I have nothing to worry about. Is that true?
Counsellor, I can tell you that something is telling me not to trust my boyfriend, but he is a Christian and he said he only had sex outside of marriage with me because he knows I am his wife-to-be.
Counsellor, he said he was a virgin until he met me. But my girlfriend, who lives next door to my boyfriend, kept telling me that she trusts no man and my infection should not be taken as just a vaginal infection, unless I am examined by my doctor.
Worried Friend
Dear Worried Friend,
While it is true that most women will experience some form of vaginal infections at least once in their lives, it is also true that in the adult female population, a vaginal infection is the most common reason for seeking medical attention.
Women with vaginal infection may have an abnormal discharge, itching, burning, foul odour, pain or irritation whenever they have sexual intercourse or whenever they urinate.
However, many women may have none of these symptoms. The three most common infections of the vagina are candidiasis or ‘yeast infections’, bacterial vaginosis or ‘BV’ and trichomoniasis or ‘trich’.
If you are diagnosed with vaginal infections it is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and you must not share your medication. It is important for you to know that persons who use condoms consistently (all the time) are less likely to get vaginal infections.
Therefore, all sexually active persons should consider using a condom every time they have sex, to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
In your case, you are at risk for not only vaginal infections but all sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, because you are not using condoms whenever you have sex.
Remember that you have a responsibility to protect yourself; only you can protect you.
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