Common Infections

Individuals who have these symptoms may feel embarrassed and might not want to talk about what they are going through.

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If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is very important to get professional medical help as proper treatment can help to determine the underlying cause as well as relieve discomfort and pain!

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Vaginal Yeast Infection
Bacterial Vaginosis
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Resources

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)(23)

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • PID is an infection in the pelvic cavity and can occur in the following reproductive organs: the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries
  • Causes of PID can include:
    • Untreated STIs:
      • Gonorrhea
      • Chlamydia
    • Other types of infection

Symptoms may include

  • Lower abdominal pain
  • Unusual vaginal discharge with a bad odour
  • Pain or bleeding during sex
  • Burning when urinating
  • Spotting between periods

You may be at risk if you have:

  • A STI that has not been treated
  • Multiple sex partners
  • Previous history of PID
  • If you are sexually active and less than 25 years old
  • Douching

Learn more about Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Vaginal Yeast Infection(24)

  • Yeast is a type of fungi that lives inside the body without causing any problems.
  • A yeast infection is when there is more yeast in the body than normal.
  • When this happens in the vagina, it is known as a Vaginal Yeast Infection.

Common symptoms include

  • Itching or pain in the vagina
  • Pain or discomfort during sex or when urinating
  • Abnormal or foul-smelling discharge

You may be at risk if you:

  • Are pregnant
  • Have a weakened immune system
  • Are taking certain medications
    • Birth control
    • Immunosuppressants
    • Antibiotics
  • Have diabetes

Learn more about Vaginal Yeast Infection

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Bacterial Vaginosis(25)

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is a very common type of bacterial infection in the vagina and can put you at an increased risk for getting an STI

Symptoms:

  • Pain or burning around the vagina
  • Itching
  • Burning when urinating
  • A strong odour (commonly after sex)
  • White or grey vaginal discharge.
  • Some women will not have any symptoms
Sometimes the symptoms will go away on their own, but it is important to get medical help.

You may be at risk if you:

  • Are sexually active
  • Have sex with multiple partners
  • Have unprotected sex
  • Douche

Learn more about Bacterial Vaginosis

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)(28)

A very common infection that occurs when bacteria gets into the urethra.

Symptoms:

  • Discomfort during urination
  • Frequent urination
  • Urgency to urinate
  • Discomfort or pressure in your lower abdomen.
  • Urine may look cloudy or contain blood.
  • Fever and chills

You may be at risk if you:

  • Previously had a UTI
  • Are sexually active
  • Have multiple sex partners
  • Are pregnant
  • Have poor hygiene

Learn more about Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Treatment

Treatment for Menstrual Irregularities and Common Infections

Individuals who have these symptoms may feel embarrassed and might not want to talk about what they are going through(26).

But if you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is very important to get professional medical help as proper treatment can help to determine the underlying cause as well as relieve discomfort and pain(26)!

Resources

  • 18. Cleveland Clinic. Anovulation [Internet]. Cleveland: Cleveland Clinic; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 23]. [LINK]
  • 19. Healthline. Polymenorrhea [Internet]. [place unknown]: Healthline Media; c2005-2022 [reviewed 2018 Feb 27; cited 2022 Jan 23]. [LINK]
  • 20. John Hopkin’s Medicine. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [Internet]. [place unknown]: John Hopkin’s University; c2022 [cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 21. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Common reproductive health concerns for women [Internet]. [place unknown]: CDC; [date unknown] [reviewed 2018 Apr 27; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 22. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What are the risk factors for endometriosis? [Internet]. [Place unknown]: NICHD; [date unknown] [reviewed 2020 Feb 21; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 23. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – CDC fact sheet [Internet]. [place unknown]: CDC; [date unknown] [reviewed 2020 Nov 19; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 24. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Vaginal candidiasis [Internet]. [place unknown]: CDC; [date unknown] [reviewed 2021 Oct 12; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 25. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Bacterial Vaginosis – CDC fact sheet [Internet]. [place unknown]: CDC; [date unknown] [reviewed 2022 Jan 5; cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 26. Mayo Clinic. Vulvodynia [Internet]. [place unknown]: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2020 Jul 23 [cited 2022 Jan 22]. [LINK]
  • 27. Garg S, Anand T. Menstruation related myths in India: strategies for combating it. Research Gate [Internet]. 2015 [2022 Jan 23]; 4(2):184-6. [LINK]
  • 28.Lewis SL, Bucher L, Heitkemper MM, Harding MM, Barry MA, Lok J, et. al. Medical-surgical nursing in Canada. 4th Canadian ed. Milton (Ontario): Elsevier Canada Ltd; 2019.