What could cause a dry, itchy, red vagina with bumps inside?

Question

Hi doctor,

My vagina is dry and itchy inside. It appears red, and there seem to be bumps inside. I think I had a yeast infection a month ago that lasted a while. I am currently taking Sprintec. I had taken Fluconazole earlier for the complaint.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

As per the history provided, it may be Candidal vulvovaginitis, a fungal infection affecting the vaginal and private areas. It appears due to multiple factors, including:

Spread from an infected person during sexual activities due to weakened immunity.
Vaginal pH is varied during menstrual cycles.
Climatic factors.
Dietary factors associated with urinary tract infection.
Pregnancy.
Stagnation of moisture.
Postmenopausal, due to mucosal drying.
Inadequate usage of cleaning solutions for cleansing private areas.

As a result, they present with itching, drying, red lesions, discharge which may be white and sometimes foul-smelling, discomfort, pain during urination, and so on. I suggest the following:

1. Clotrimazole 3 vaginal cream to be used at bedtime using the applicator present along with the cream. At night during bedtime, make sure to flex your knees towards your chest. Then, with a clean, dry, and sterile hand, preferably with sterile gloves, you may insert the applicator with the medication into your vagina as deep as possible so that the cream stays within the affected area and may act faster. Make sure to lie in the same position for a few minutes to ensure the medicine do not drip. Kindly repeat the same maneuver daily for seven days.

2. Tablet Fluconazole 150 mg once every three days to be taken after food at night. After which, it may be taken once a week for four weeks.

3. Vagisil intimate wash for pH balance may be used to wash the vaginal and sensitive areas once daily.

4. Capsule Lactobacillus acidophilus Probiotics once daily after food at night for one month.

5. Avoid stagnation of moisture. Make sure to consume at least 13 glasses of water daily in a 250 ml standard glass size.

6. Consume more fruits, vegetables, and yogurt as they are rich in probiotics. Kindly avoid sweets, oily food, and red meat.

7. In case of severe secretion or discharge, kindly undergo a swab test where the discharge is examined to rule out other underlying organisms present.