Content warning: Pussy is a pet name for domestic cats and vulgar slang for the vagina. It has become popular since the rise of pornographic films and magazines. It can also be an abusive term used by bros to describe girls who are weak, afraid or spineless.
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Vaginal Infections
If a girl's vulva or vagina becomes inflamed and itchy, she might have an infection. These infections can be caused by bacteria, yeast or a combination of both. They can also be caused by a weakened immune system, which might occur because of cancer treatment or from having AIDS. Girls should wash their genital area with mild soap and warm water after using the toilet, bathing or having sex. They should avoid tight panty hose, underwear or diapers and instead wear cotton underwear with a cotton crotch to allow normal evaporation of moisture in the area. Avoid scented body sprays, lotions or powders in the genital area. Douching can make symptoms worse because it removes healthy germs that help protect against infection. Eating yogurt with live cultures or taking Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets can help increase the number of good germs in the genital area.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs when the balance of different kinds of bacteria, including some that cause yeast, gets upset and one type grows too much. BV is treated with antibiotic pills or an antibiotic gel. Trichomonas vaginalis, or trichomoniasis, is an infection that occurs when the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis overgrows and causes itching in the vulva and vagina. It is often accompanied by a fishy smell and a grayish-white, frothy discharge. Trich is treated with antibiotics, usually metronidazole or tinidazole.
Infections can also occur when fecal matter from the rectum comes into contact with the vagina and shifts the balance of bacteria. This can be prevented by wiping from front to back after using the toilet and by wearing underwear that allows for normal evaporation of moisture in the groin.
Other types of infections include herpes simplex virus (HSV) and genital warts. HSV can be spread by vaginal intercourse or anal sex, and it typically has a five-to seven-day growing period before symptoms show up. Symptoms of genital warts are painful ulcers in the vulva that heal after about 21 days. A girl who has a herpes outbreak should use condoms to prevent spreading the virus to sexual partners and can take antiviral medicines, which may reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Vaginal Discharge
Discharge is fluid secreted from tiny glands in the vulva and cervix, keeping the area clean and lubricated. It also helps fight infections and removes old cells that would otherwise build up. Normal vaginal discharge is clear or white and doesn’t have a strong odor. However, it can change color, texture and amount throughout the menstrual cycle, as well as during pregnancy and perimenopause.
Most of the time, changes in discharge are nothing to worry about. But if you notice that your discharge is green, looks like cottage cheese or has an unpleasant odor, it could indicate an infection or a health problem. This is why it’s important to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your vaginal discharge.
During the physical exam, doctors will ask you questions about any symptoms you’re having and your family history of them. Then they will examine the vulva and the area around it. They will also ask about the color, consistency and odor of your discharge. They may take a sample of the discharge to test it for bacteria or viruses, as well as a scraping from your cervix to check for cervical cancer.
If the doctor suspects an infection, they will prescribe a course of antibiotics and other medications to treat it. If they suspect a sexually transmitted infection, they may also recommend using condoms or other forms of birth control to prevent it from spreading to others.
A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in treating women’s health problems. They usually have years of education and training to become experts in gynecology. They can diagnose most gynecological problems by asking the patient about her medical history and performing a pelvic examination. A gynecologist can also recommend treatment options for most conditions. They may suggest a course of oral antibiotics or surgery in rare cases. Most gynecologists have offices and clinics that offer walk-in services, so patients can see them without an appointment. Some also work at sexual health clinics, where they treat problems with the genitals and urinary tract. They can get test results quicker than GPs and are better equipped to treat sexually transmitted infections.
Vaginal Irritation
If your vulva is itchy, painful or has a lot of discharge, it could be caused by an infection or irritation. Often, the cause can be treated with medicine that you put on your skin. It may be in a pill, or it might be a cream, gel or ointment that you apply to the vulva. With treatment, your vagina should feel better in about two weeks. If the problem doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor.
Yeast infections can cause itching, pain and a cottage cheese-like discharge. Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause itching include trichomoniasis and genital warts. Itching and pain can also be a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease, an illness that affects the tissues in the lower part of the vulva.
Irritation of the vulva can also be caused by things like using dyed toilet paper, scented feminine sprays, soaps and cleansers, and wiping from back to front after using the bathroom. You can also get itchy and sore from wearing tight clothing or swimming in chlorinated pools.
A yeast infection or a parasite, like pubic lice or scabies, may also cause itching and a thick white or gray discharge with a fishy odor. Itching can also be a symptom of an STI, such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
Other causes of vaginal itching include dermatitis, which is an inflammation of the skin in the vulva. This can be triggered by detergents or other chemicals that irritate the skin, and it can also happen because of hormonal changes like when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or when you go through menopause. You can also have genital psoriasis, which is an autoimmune condition that causes red patches of itchy and peeling skin in the vulva.
Taking warm baths or showers instead of hot ones can help reduce itching. You can also try placing a cold pack on your vulva or sitting in a sitz bath (sitting in a tub with just the genital area covered). Adding salt to your water and washing your vulva with it while you’re weeing can reduce itching, too. You can also try lubricating your vulva with oil or using a vaginal ring.
Vaginitis
Vaginitis is when the vulva or vagina becomes irritated, inflamed or infected. It’s a common gynecological problem that girls of all ages will have at some point in their lives. There are lots of different types of vaginitis with different symptoms and causes. Girls can get a yeast infection (which is very common before puberty) or an STD. There are also infections caused by bacteria or irritation from things like toilet paper, lubricants and hygiene sprays.
Some types of vaginitis are caused by a change in the normal balance of bacteria in the vulva, called bacterial vaginosis or BV. This happens when the bacterial population in the vulva goes up or down and can make your vagina feel itchy, tight and painful. This is the most common type of vaginitis.
There are other kinds of vaginitis that don’t have to do with bacteria, but with allergies or chemical irritants. These can be caused by things like wearing tight, sweaty clothes or using a tampon for a long time, using perfumed products down there or scented soaps or shampoos, wipes, or certain medications, such as birth control pills. Some are also caused by hormonal changes, such as from pregnancy or childbirth, having unprotected sex and some health conditions and medicines that can weaken the immune system, such as diabetes and some antibiotics.
Getting a proper diagnosis isn’t always easy. Your doctor will ask you about any problems you’ve been having, such as pain and itching in your vulva or vagina, and when these symptoms occur. They’ll also do an exam and might ask you to remove your underwear. Then they’ll gently put a smooth, tube-shaped tool (speculum) into your vagina to hold it open so they can see inside. They might also take a sample of your discharge and send it away for testing.
Some types of vaginitis can spread to other parts of your body, such as your penis and rectum, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about what you’re experiencing. Some kinds of vaginitis can also affect other people, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) like trichomoniasis, which is caused by a parasite in the feces that you can pass on to others.