Some of the more common vaginal infection symptoms are an itching and burning sensation in the genital area. This can sometimes be accompanied by redness, swelling, or sores. A woman might also experience discharge that is very thick, or she may have an excessive amount of it. At times, this secretion can have a foul odor to it, or the vagina itself could have an unusual smell.
One of the first signs of a yeast infection is usually itching and burning of the vulva or outside of the vagina. The stinging can seem to be worse shortly after urinating; in fact, doing so may also cause a burning sensation. These vaginal infection symptoms can range from moderate to intense, depending on the severity of the condition.
Some women report redness and swelling in their genitals whenever they experience bacterial vaginosis. In more severe cases, there might also be tiny sores on the vulva or near the vaginal opening. These lesions may also burn and itch, but do not normally ooze.
Discharge from the vagina is another one of the vaginal infection symptoms commonly experienced. It is typically very thick and may have the consistency of cottage cheese. This type of secretion usually occurs in small amounts. There could also be a large amount of discharge present, in which case it may be thinner.
The discharge itself may have a very foul odor. Even if a woman does not experience this, she may nonetheless notice that her vagina has an unusual stench to it. This is often a strong fish-like smell which may be heavier if she is menstruating at the time. Sprays and perfumes designed to mask this condition may nonetheless irritate the skin in this sensitive area.
Many times, women may notice vaginal infection symptoms around the same time each month. For some people, this can be due to a fluctuation in hormone levels. Other times, signs may appear after wearing wet clothing, such as a bathing suit, for a long period of time. Vaginosis could also appear during pregnancy or shortly after delivery. Whenever vaginal infection symptoms are first noticed, a woman should take action to cure her condition. This can usually be accomplished by purchasing an over-the-counter cream which can be used before going to bed. Doing so normally provides immediate relief, and can often eliminate the problem completely in a matter of a few days.