Am I having a recurring yeast infection, or am I pregnant?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 20 years old, weigh 180 pounds, and am 5 feet 8 inches tall. I am confused if I have a recurring yeast infection or if I might have recently conceived.

My medical history includes

Having had a yeast infection some years ago. I have itching, irritation, yeasty discharge, pain during intercourse, and discomfort while urinating over the past few months. These symptoms tend to disappear during my period, but return a few days later.
Six months ago, I felt mild cramps and lower back pain, which I thought might indicate pregnancy. However, I was not pregnant, and the symptoms have been coming and going every month since then.
Last week, I had unprotected sex with my partner, and he ejaculated inside me. I am uncertain if I was ovulating at the time.
I have been experiencing mild cramps and back pain for the last three days, but they stopped on the same day they began.
Additionally, I have noticed constipation, dehydration, moodiness, slightly tender breasts, vivid dreams, forgetfulness, and a sweet-smelling discharge.
I have also encountered back itchiness, inflammation, and slightly thick-watery discharge.
My period is expected to start tomorrow, but I have not noticed any usual signs of its arrival, except for the cramps. It is worth mentioning that I do not experience cramps before my period or any PMS symptoms.

Please help.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understand your concern.

You seem to be experiencing symptoms of a vaginal infection, which can be transmitted during sex. Both partners should be treated simultaneously, as the infection can recur if only one of you is treated.

Common symptoms include a white, yellow, or grayish discharge with or without itching, foul smell, and pain during intercourse due to dryness. Additionally, pain may occur when the erect penis touches the innermost vagina, and pain may radiate to the back or thighs due to the uterine inflammation. Bowel movement and features of gastritis can also be affected.

During periods, bleeding may be thicker or darker, and may include clots or fleshy masses, and the bleeding may continue with spotting after the periods. If the infection is inside the uterus, the blood flow increases and the inner lining becomes inflamed, leading to a thick, doughy, or fleshy mass. As the lining heals incompletely, spotting or blood-stained discharge may occur.

The throbbing pain may persist even before and after periods. Infections are mixed and not solely due to yeast fungus; various aerobic and anaerobic bacteria may be involved, which may not all be detected on culture. If one partner is treated and cleared, the other partner may develop the infection, or if not fully treated, the infection may recur.

Before starting treatment, ensure that you are not pregnant. I suggest that you and your partner follow the treatment plan given:

Tablet Fluconazole 150 mg stat (only one tablet, no repetition) after lunch,
Tablet Azithromycin 1 gm stat (only 1 tablet, no repetition) one hour before food.
Tablet Secnil forte (Secnidazole 1000 mg) two tablets stat (no repetition) after dinner, which should be followed by capsule Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 1 week. Clean the vaginal area with vaginal wash with or a similar cleanser twice a day, and use a vaginal pessary - Capsule Clingen forte (tinidazole(100.0 Mg) + clotrimazole(100.0 Mg) + clindamycin(100.0 Mg)) or Candid-CL (Clindamycin (100mg) and Clotrimazole (200mg)) or Cansoft CL (Clindamycin and Clotrimazole) once for 5 nights.
I suggest that your partner apply any antibiotic and antifungal cream on the penis twice a day after washing for 7 days. Consult your doctor and take the medicines accordingly.
Avoid sexual intercourse until the infection is completely gone, as a delay may lead to the infection spreading internally and potentially impacting both of your future fertility.

Once the infection is cleared, the symptoms like discharge, itching, and irregular periods should gradually disappear.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to ask if you have any further questions.

Thank you.