{"id":9986,"date":"2025-07-02T00:46:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T21:46:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=9986"},"modified":"2026-04-20T18:53:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:53:40","slug":"what-to-do-if-you-have-a-female-infection-and-when-to-see-a-doctor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/what-to-do-if-you-have-a-female-infection-and-when-to-see-a-doctor\/","title":{"rendered":"Female infections: how to recognize, what to do and when to see a doctor"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 data-start=\"363\" data-end=\"390\">What are female infections?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"392\" data-end=\"681\">The term &quot;female infections&quot; refers to: <strong data-start=\"440\" data-end=\"501\">inflammatory or infectious diseases of the genitourinary system<\/strong>, including the vagina, cervix, urethra, uterus, appendages, ovaries. They are often associated with a violation of the microflora, decreased immunity, or sexual transmission.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"683\" data-end=\"704\">Infections can be:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"706\" data-end=\"849\">\n<li data-start=\"706\" data-end=\"761\">\n<p data-start=\"708\" data-end=\"761\"><strong data-start=\"708\" data-end=\"724\">bacterial<\/strong> (gardnerellosis, ureaplasma, gonorrhea);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"762\" data-end=\"790\">\n<p data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"790\"><strong data-start=\"764\" data-end=\"775\">viral<\/strong> (herpes, HPV);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"791\" data-end=\"817\">\n<p data-start=\"793\" data-end=\"817\"><strong data-start=\"793\" data-end=\"805\">fungal<\/strong> (candidiasis);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"818\" data-end=\"849\">\n<p data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"849\"><strong data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"834\">protozoan<\/strong> (trichomoniasis).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"851\" data-end=\"886\">When should you suspect an infection?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"888\" data-end=\"973\">Infections most often manifest <strong data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"947\">unpleasant symptoms<\/strong>, which cannot be ignored:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"975\" data-end=\"1229\">\n<li data-start=\"975\" data-end=\"1038\">\n<p data-start=\"977\" data-end=\"1038\">unusual discharge (yellowish, green, with an unpleasant odor);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1039\" data-end=\"1097\">\n<p data-start=\"1041\" data-end=\"1097\">itching, burning in the vagina or external genitals;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1143\">\n<p data-start=\"1100\" data-end=\"1143\">pain or discomfort during urination;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1144\" data-end=\"1164\">\n<p data-start=\"1146\" data-end=\"1164\">pain in the lower abdomen;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1165\" data-end=\"1198\">\n<p data-start=\"1167\" data-end=\"1198\">spotting outside of menstruation;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1199\" data-end=\"1229\">\n<p data-start=\"1201\" data-end=\"1229\">pain during sexual intercourse.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1231\" data-end=\"1301\">Even <strong data-start=\"1238\" data-end=\"1263\">one of these symptoms<\/strong> \u2014 a reason to see a gynecologist.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1303\" data-end=\"1334\">What causes female infections?<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"1336\" data-end=\"1729\">\n<li data-start=\"1336\" data-end=\"1417\">\n<p data-start=\"1338\" data-end=\"1417\"><strong data-start=\"1338\" data-end=\"1368\">Disruption of the vaginal microbiota<\/strong> \u2014 after antibiotics, stress, hormonal changes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1418\" data-end=\"1467\">\n<p data-start=\"1420\" data-end=\"1467\"><strong data-start=\"1420\" data-end=\"1466\">Too frequent or incorrect douching<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1468\" data-end=\"1521\">\n<p data-start=\"1470\" data-end=\"1521\"><strong data-start=\"1470\" data-end=\"1520\">Changing partners or having unprotected sex<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1522\" data-end=\"1586\">\n<p data-start=\"1524\" data-end=\"1586\"><strong data-start=\"1524\" data-end=\"1585\">Wearing synthetic underwear, daily pads, overheating<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1659\">\n<p data-start=\"1589\" data-end=\"1659\"><strong data-start=\"1589\" data-end=\"1658\">Infection during childbirth, procedures, or gynecological interventions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1660\" data-end=\"1729\">\n<p data-start=\"1662\" data-end=\"1729\"><strong data-start=\"1662\" data-end=\"1684\">Decreased immunity<\/strong> \u2014 against the background of diseases or chronic stress.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"1731\" data-end=\"1768\">What are the types of female infections?<\/h2>\n<div class=\"_tableContainer_80l1q_1\">\n<div class=\"_tableWrapper_80l1q_14 group flex w-fit flex-col-reverse\">\n<table class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\" data-start=\"1770\" data-end=\"2475\">\n<thead data-start=\"1770\" data-end=\"1869\">\n<tr data-start=\"1770\" data-end=\"1869\">\n<th data-start=\"1770\" data-end=\"1790\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Type of infection<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1833\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Main manifestations<\/th>\n<th data-start=\"1833\" data-end=\"1869\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Common pathogens<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"1971\" data-end=\"2475\">\n<tr data-start=\"1971\" data-end=\"2071\">\n<td data-start=\"1971\" data-end=\"1991\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Vulvovaginitis<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"1991\" data-end=\"2035\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Itching, discharge, burning<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2035\" data-end=\"2071\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Candida, <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/infectious-disease-panel\/diagnosis-of-bacterial-vaginosis-gardnerellozu\/gardnerella-vaginalis-gardnereloz-ug-zishkrib\/\">Gardnerella<\/a>, trichomonads<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2072\" data-end=\"2172\">\n<td data-start=\"2072\" data-end=\"2092\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Cervicitis<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2092\" data-end=\"2136\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Bleeding, pain during sex<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2136\" data-end=\"2172\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Chlamydia, gonococci, HPV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2173\" data-end=\"2273\">\n<td data-start=\"2173\" data-end=\"2193\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Endometritis<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2193\" data-end=\"2237\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Fever, pain, heavy menstruation<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2237\" data-end=\"2273\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Streptococci, enterococci<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2274\" data-end=\"2374\">\n<td data-start=\"2274\" data-end=\"2294\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Salpingoophoritis<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2294\" data-end=\"2338\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Lower abdominal pain, fever<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2338\" data-end=\"2374\" data-col-size=\"sm\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/infectious-disease-panel\/mycoplasma-diagnosis\/mycoplasma-pneumoniae-igm\/\">Mycoplasma<\/a>, chlamydia<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2375\" data-end=\"2475\">\n<td data-start=\"2375\" data-end=\"2395\" data-col-size=\"sm\">STIs<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2395\" data-end=\"2439\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Depends on the pathogen<\/td>\n<td data-start=\"2439\" data-end=\"2475\" data-col-size=\"sm\">Herpes, syphilis, HIV, etc.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div class=\"sticky end-(--thread-content-margin) h-0 self-end select-none\">\n<div class=\"absolute end-0 flex items-end\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-start=\"2477\" data-end=\"2508\">How is the diagnosis made?<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"2510\" data-end=\"2572\">To confirm or rule out infection, your doctor may order:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2574\" data-end=\"2887\">\n<li data-start=\"2574\" data-end=\"2612\">\n<p data-start=\"2576\" data-end=\"2612\"><strong data-start=\"2576\" data-end=\"2611\">Gynecological examination + mirrors<\/strong>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2613\" data-end=\"2657\">\n<p data-start=\"2615\" data-end=\"2657\"><strong data-start=\"2615\" data-end=\"2633\">Flora smear<\/strong> (microscopy of secretions);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2658\" data-end=\"2720\">\n<p data-start=\"2660\" data-end=\"2720\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/plr-test-on-ipssh-accurate-diagnosis-of-respiratory-infections\/\"><strong data-start=\"2660\" data-end=\"2675\">PCR analyses<\/strong> for STIs<\/a> (chlamydia, mycoplasma, herpes, etc.);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2721\" data-end=\"2777\">\n<p data-start=\"2723\" data-end=\"2777\"><strong data-start=\"2723\" data-end=\"2735\">Back-sowing<\/strong> with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2778\" data-end=\"2840\">\n<p data-start=\"2780\" data-end=\"2840\"><strong data-start=\"2780\" data-end=\"2815\">General <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/infertility-diagnostics-which-begins-the-search-for-causes\/\">urine or blood test<\/a> \u2014 with systemic manifestations;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2841\" data-end=\"2887\">\n<p data-start=\"2843\" data-end=\"2887\"><strong data-start=\"2843\" data-end=\"2859\">Colposcopy<\/strong> - with a changed cervix.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote data-start=\"2889\" data-end=\"3006\">\n<p data-start=\"2891\" data-end=\"3006\">Do not self-medicate - most female infections <strong data-start=\"2949\" data-end=\"3006\">have similar symptoms but different causes and treatments.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p data-start=\"2891\" data-end=\"3006\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9988\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/99.jpg\" alt=\"smear on flora in a woman\" width=\"850\" height=\"567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/99.jpg 850w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/99-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/99-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/99-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/99-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3008\" data-end=\"3038\">How are female infections treated?<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"3040\" data-end=\"3436\">\n<li data-start=\"3040\" data-end=\"3140\">\n<p data-start=\"3042\" data-end=\"3140\"><strong data-start=\"3042\" data-end=\"3063\">Local treatment<\/strong> (suppositories, gels, vaginal capsules) - antifungal, antiseptic, probiotics.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3141\" data-end=\"3228\">\n<p data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3228\"><strong data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3165\">Systemic drugs<\/strong> (antibiotics, antivirals) - based on test results.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3229\" data-end=\"3301\">\n<p data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3301\"><strong data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3256\">Partner treatment<\/strong> \u2014 if the infection is sexually transmitted.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3302\" data-end=\"3369\">\n<p data-start=\"3304\" data-end=\"3369\"><strong data-start=\"3304\" data-end=\"3344\">Probiotics and restoration of microflora<\/strong> \u2014 after a course of treatment.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3370\" data-end=\"3436\">\n<p data-start=\"3372\" data-end=\"3436\"><strong data-start=\"3372\" data-end=\"3394\">Control analysis<\/strong> 1\u20132 weeks after completion of therapy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"3438\" data-end=\"3478\">What to do to prevent infections?<\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"3480\" data-end=\"3807\">\n<li data-start=\"3480\" data-end=\"3559\">\n<p data-start=\"3482\" data-end=\"3559\">Avoid <strong data-start=\"3491\" data-end=\"3516\">frequent changes of partners<\/strong>, use <strong data-start=\"3533\" data-end=\"3558\">barrier contraception<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3560\" data-end=\"3618\">\n<p data-start=\"3562\" data-end=\"3618\">Don&#039;t get carried away. <strong data-start=\"3578\" data-end=\"3617\">intimate cosmetics and douching<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3619\" data-end=\"3688\">\n<p data-start=\"3621\" data-end=\"3688\">Dress up <strong data-start=\"3630\" data-end=\"3652\">natural linen<\/strong>, avoid overheating in the pelvic area.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3689\" data-end=\"3742\">\n<p data-start=\"3691\" data-end=\"3742\">Watch out for <strong data-start=\"3701\" data-end=\"3716\">daily routine<\/strong>, immunity, nutrition.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3743\" data-end=\"3807\">\n<p data-start=\"3745\" data-end=\"3807\">Go to a gynecologist. <strong data-start=\"3766\" data-end=\"3788\">at least once a year<\/strong>, even without complaints.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3843\" data-end=\"4149\">Female infections are a topic that is uncomfortable to talk about, but even more dangerous to remain silent about. Timely diagnosis, accurate treatment and prevention will help maintain not only health, but also comfort in everyday life. If you feel that &quot;something is wrong&quot; - do not wait. The body is signaling - all you have to do is listen.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are female infections? The term &quot;female infections&quot; refers to inflammatory or infectious diseases of the genitourinary system, including the vagina, cervix<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":9987,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9986"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9986\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9987"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}