What are the symptoms of a yeast infection? I'm kind itchy and there's a lot of discharge. But it's not funny looking discharge and it's not very bad itching, is this normal and something that will go away?

Ali

If the discharge is clear - or relatively clear ---you could be simply maturing and having more vaginal discharge just before you are going to have a menstrual period.

But it could also be an infection of some sort.  Then the discharge would be yellow or green, or chunky white ( like very wet cottage cheese).  Vaginal infections don't always itch.

If your period is due soon, wait until it comes and finishes, if you still have the discharge- time to go to the doctor.

If your period finished and then the discharge began - time to see the doctor now.

Susan

But I don't get my period because I stopped taking the depo shot 4 months ago. Does this change things?
And the discharge is clear, there's just a lot.

Ali,

My guess is that you are going to have your first period in about a week. Clear discharge really isn't anything to worry about unless you have other symptoms. It could itch because it is causing a skin irritation. Try using tampons.

Susan

Hi! I usd a tampon today and thank God the itching went away! So much more comfortable. Should I try using a tampon only when I notice itching? I took it out for the day, I didn't know if I should keep using them? Or how often?

I use a tampon whenever my vaginal lubrication is more than usual - usually no more than 2 or 3 days a month in a row.  No harm in leaving a tampon in all day - but I would either not use one at night or change to a new one.

Susan

 

Today I got my friend, it's so wierd, you were right! I wasn't sure if I really would get my period because it's only been four months since I've gotten off the depo shot. But it came today. It's so wierd to have after not having it for six years! But now I'm not worried about the itching at all. Thank you for your help!

Ali,

Glad to have helped. Some of the things that happen to our bodies really do have a pattern.

Susan

Ali,

Just so you know - the fact that your period returned so quickly is a sign that you are a very fertile person. So in your shoes I would be EXTRA careful about birth control when you do not want to get pregnant.

Susan

Hi again, yes i thought that might mean I'm very fertile. My boyfriend and I have talked it over. We are going to try and wait until I get on the pill before we have sex again. I don't have insurance right now, to go to planned parent hood costs like $120 for the visit, that's kind of a lot for me right now, so I'm going to save up for that starting now. We want to have kids someday but it would be nice if we were married.
Wouldn't you agree that using only a condom isn't the greatest idea right now for us? We just want to be careful, and you never know when they will break, and you have to make sure the second he gets hard that you have the condom RIGHT there immediantly. Or is it okay to use only a condom?

Ali,

If you absolutely do not want to get pregnant ( and if you can't afford $120 for a doctor's visit - think about the cost of a baby!)- then you should not consider a condom enough protection.

But you do have one other back-up option. You could use contraceptive foam or a condom with a spermicide.  But be careful the first time you use it in case you have a reaction to it. Try a little foam on the inside of your wrist or smear a condom of your wrist - and wait 20 minutes.

And if you think it might take a few months before you can afford the doctor - start using the calendar method now - so you can use it in 3 months time safely. ( I've posted about this before, but if you want me to repeat it let me know.)

I am so glad you are being smart about this!!!!!!

Susan