Here are some common vaginal infections, their symptoms and ways to prevent them.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

This is a very common disorder. The symptoms are vaginal itching and a discharge with a foul smell. BV generally doesn't occur in women who haven't had sexual intercourse. It is caused by unusual growth of certain vaginal bacteria, and usually happens if a woman has multiple sex partners, a new sex partner or even due to poor hygiene.

BV can be treated with common antibacterial cream along with antibiotics, depending on the level of the infection. If left untreated, the infection can cause Pelvic Inflammation Disease (PID), which might lead to cancer of the cervix. Also, it could lead to surgical complications and infertility later in life.

If you think you have BV, visit your gynaecologist immediately.

Vaginal Yeast Infections

If you are experiencing thick, curd-like and unusually heavy discharge along with extreme itching and inflammation of the vagina, you probably have a fungal infection called Candidiasis. Popularly called Yeast Infection, this vaginal infection is generally not sexually transmitted, but can be contracted by men too.

Yeast infection is caused when there is a hormonal imbalance like during your pregnancy or when you are under strong antibiotics. The infection gets aggravated with excessive intake of alcohol, poor hygiene, tight and synthetic underclothes and diabetes.

Yeast infection can be treated with anti-fungal cream. Hygiene is very important when you suffer from this infection. Gynaecologists sometimes suggest a lactic acid douche - a tube that inserts lactic acid into the vagina and cleans it.