Intimate infections treatment at OpenMed Warsaw
At OpenMed Warsaw we diagnose and treat intimate infections in women, including vaginal and vulvar infections, vaginal yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, bacterial vaginitis and infections that require broader diagnostics. We help patients who experience discharge, vaginal itching, vaginal burning, discomfort in the intimate area, pain when passing urine or recurrent symptoms. Such complaints are typical of vaginal inflammation, but they can have various causes, which is why proper diagnosis is important.
During the visit the gynaecologist discusses the symptoms, performs an examination and, if needed, orders additional tests such as a swab, culture, assessment of the discharge or diagnostics for sexually transmitted infections. Treatment of intimate infections is matched to the cause of the problem - a fungal infection is managed differently from bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis or suspected STI.
Who do we help?
We help women who:
- have discharge, an unpleasant odour or a change in vaginal discharge,
- experience itching, burning or irritation of the intimate area,
- suspect they have an intimate infection, a vaginal infection or a vaginal yeast infection,
- have symptoms suggesting bacterial vaginosis or bacterial vaginitis,
- struggle with recurrent intimate infections,
- feel burning when passing urine and are not sure whether it is an intimate infection or a UTI,
- need diagnostics for sexually transmitted diseases,
- are pregnant and have noticed symptoms of an intimate infection,
- want to discuss treatment of their partner when a sexually transmitted infection is suspected.
Doctors treating intimate infections in Warsaw
Meet the doctors of OpenMed Warsaw who diagnose and treat intimate infections in women. During the visit the gynaecologist assesses the symptoms, performs an examination, discusses the possible causes of the complaints and matches further management to the patient's situation, also drawing on a consultation with an infectious diseases specialist.
Intimate infections in Warsaw - when to see a gynaecologist?
It is worth seeing a gynaecologist when symptoms appear that suggest an intimate infection, a vaginal infection or inflammation of the intimate area. At OpenMed Warsaw we consult patients with complaints such as:
- discharge or a change in vaginal discharge,
- itching of the vagina and intimate area,
- burning of the vagina or vulva,
- redness, swelling or irritation,
- an unpleasant odour of the discharge,
- pain during intercourse,
- burning when passing urine,
- recurrent intimate infections,
- suspected sexually transmitted disease.
During the visit the doctor takes a medical history, performs a gynaecological examination and, if needed, collects material for testing, e.g. a swab, culture or a sample of the discharge. This makes it possible to match the treatment to the specific cause of the infection, and not only to the symptoms themselves.
Symptoms of intimate infections that should not be ignored
Intimate infections can produce various symptoms depending on whether they are caused by bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses or sexually transmitted infections. Some complaints are mild, others quickly intensify or recur despite previous treatment.
The following require particular consultation:
- intense or recurrent discharge,
- itching and burning of the intimate area,
- lower abdominal pain,
- pain during intercourse,
- fever or a general feeling of being unwell,
- bleeding outside menstruation,
- an intimate infection during pregnancy,
- symptoms after unprotected sexual contact,
- no improvement after previous treatment.
Such symptoms may point to, among others, vaginal yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, bacterial vaginitis, trichomoniasis, a urinary tract infection or an STI. That is why it is important not to choose treatment without a diagnosis, especially in the case of recurrences.
The most common types of intimate infections
An intimate infection is a general term that can cover several different problems. Each of them may require different treatment, which is why during the consultation the doctor assesses the symptoms, performs an examination and, if needed, orders diagnostics.
The most commonly diagnosed are:
- vaginal yeast infection - often associated with itching, burning, irritation and thick discharge,
- bacterial vaginosis - may cause greyish discharge and a characteristic, unpleasant odour,
- bacterial vaginitis - manifests as inflammation, discomfort, discharge and irritation,
- trichomoniasis - may cause burning, pain when passing urine, discharge and discomfort during intercourse,
- sexually transmitted infections - some of them may have few symptoms or none at all, which is why appropriate tests are worth performing when an infection is suspected.
The symptoms of different infections can be similar to one another, which is why at OpenMed we choose the treatment of intimate infections after a consultation and an assessment of the cause of the complaints.
What does treatment of intimate infections look like?
Treatment of intimate infections depends on the cause of the complaints. Vaginal yeast infection is treated differently from bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginitis or sexually transmitted infections. At OpenMed Warsaw, during the visit the doctor assesses the symptoms, performs a gynaecological examination and, if needed, orders additional tests in order to match the treatment to the specific diagnosis.
Treatment may include, among others:
- antifungal medications for vaginal yeast infection,
- antibacterial medications for a bacterial infection,
- topical treatment in the form of pessaries, creams or intravaginal preparations,
- oral treatment if the type of infection requires it,
- recommendations regarding intimate hygiene and restoration of the microflora,
- diagnostics or treatment of the partner when an STI or recurrences are suspected.
Recurrent intimate infections - when is broader diagnostics needed?
Recurrent intimate infections require a more thorough assessment, especially if the symptoms return despite treatment or appear several times a year. The cause of the recurrences may be not only a vaginal yeast infection, but also bacterial vaginosis, a sexually transmitted infection, disturbances of the vaginal microflora, previous antibiotic therapy, metabolic diseases, lowered immunity or inappropriately chosen treatment.
In such a situation the doctor may recommend:
- a swab from the vagina or cervix,
- a culture with an antibiogram,
- an assessment of the vaginal discharge,
- diagnostics for STIs,
- PCR tests for selected pathogens,
- an assessment of factors that favour recurrences,
- consultation and possible treatment of the partner.
Intimate infections during pregnancy
An intimate infection during pregnancy should always be consulted with a gynaecologist. Discharge, itching, vaginal burning, an unpleasant odour of the discharge, lower abdominal pain or burning when passing urine may require prompt diagnosis and treatment chosen safely for the stage of pregnancy. During pregnancy it is not advisable to use medications on your own, even if the symptoms resemble a previous infection.
During the visit the doctor assesses the symptoms, performs an examination and, if needed, collects material for testing. Treatment of an intimate infection during pregnancy is chosen individually, taking into account the safety of the patient and the baby.
Testing and treatment of the partner when a sexually transmitted infection is suspected
If symptoms appear after sexual contact, the infection recurs or a sexually transmitted disease is suspected, the doctor may recommend diagnostics for STIs. This applies, among others, to infections such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, mycoplasma, ureaplasma or other infections that sometimes have few symptoms or none at all.
In some situations testing or treatment of the partner is also important. This matters especially when there is a risk of reinfection or the infection is sexually transmitted. The doctor may also recommend temporarily refraining from intercourse or using protection until the end of treatment.
How to prepare for a visit because of an intimate infection?
It is worth coming for the visit when the symptoms are current, because this makes it easier to assess the complaints and possibly collect material for testing. Before the consultation it is good to prepare information about when the symptoms appeared, whether the infection recurs, what medications were used previously and whether the complaints are related to intercourse, menstruation, antibiotic therapy or pregnancy.
Before the visit it is best to:
- not use pessaries, creams or douching without consulting a doctor,
- avoid intercourse immediately before the examination,
- not perform intensive intimate hygiene just before the visit,
- bring the results of previous tests and a list of medications used,
- write down the symptoms: discharge, odour, itching, burning, pain, bleeding or recurrences.
This allows the doctor to assess the problem more accurately and match the diagnostics and treatment of the intimate infection to the actual cause of the complaints.
Which tests help identify the cause of the infection?
With intimate infections the symptoms are often similar, which is why itching, burning or discharge alone are not always enough to determine the cause of the problem. At OpenMed Warsaw, during the visit the doctor performs a gynaecological examination, assesses the discharge and, if needed, orders additional diagnostics in order to distinguish a vaginal yeast infection from bacterial vaginosis, bacterial vaginitis, trichomoniasis, a UTI or a sexually transmitted infection. Diagnostics of vaginosis, candidiasis and trichomoniasis may include, among others, pH assessment, microscopic examination, culture or molecular tests.
Depending on the symptoms the doctor may recommend:
- a swab from the vagina or cervix,
- a microbiological culture with an antibiogram,
- an assessment of vaginal pH,
- an examination of the vaginal discharge,
- diagnostics for vaginal yeast infection,
- tests for bacterial vaginosis,
- tests for trichomoniasis,
- STI diagnostics, e.g. Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma,
- PCR or NAAT tests when selected infections are suspected,
- a urine test if the symptoms may suggest a urinary tract infection.
Not every patient needs all the tests. The scope of diagnostics is matched to the symptoms, the examination result, the history of previous infections, pregnancy, the risk of STI and whether the infections recur. When trichomoniasis and some sexually transmitted infections are suspected, more thorough tests may be particularly important, because some infections have few symptoms or none at all.
Where do vaginal and vulvar infections come from?
Intimate infections most often develop when the natural balance of the vaginal microflora is disturbed. A healthy vaginal environment protects against the excessive growth of microorganisms, but its balance can be disturbed by, among others, antibiotics, hormonal changes, intercourse, lowered immunity, pregnancy, diabetes, stress, irritating cosmetics or improper intimate hygiene.
Common causes of infection include:
- growth of fungi, most often in vaginal yeast infection,
- disturbance of the proportions of bacteria in the vagina, typical of bacterial vaginosis,
- bacterial infections causing bacterial vaginitis,
- trichomoniasis and other sexually transmitted infections,
- irritation of the vulva and vagina after cosmetics, douching or intravaginal preparations,
- recurrences after poorly chosen or unfinished treatment.
That is why, with symptoms such as discharge, vaginal itching, burning of the intimate area or an unpleasant odour of the discharge, it is worth establishing the specific cause of the problem instead of treating the infection solely on the basis of the symptoms.
Intimate infection, UTI or a sexually transmitted disease?
Burning, pain when passing urine, itching, discharge or lower abdominal pain can have various causes. Sometimes the problem is a vaginal or vulvar infection, sometimes a urinary tract infection, and sometimes a sexually transmitted infection. The symptoms can overlap, which is why consultation and appropriately chosen diagnostics are important.
In practice it is worth distinguishing:
- an intimate infection - more often causes discharge, itching, vaginal burning, irritation, an unpleasant odour or pain during intercourse,
- a UTI - more often associated with urinary urgency, frequent urination, burning during urination and pain in the lower abdomen,
- an STI - may cause discharge, burning, pain during intercourse, contact bleeding, but some infections may have few symptoms or none at all.
At OpenMed, during the visit the doctor assesses whether the symptoms point more to a vaginal infection, a urinary tract infection or a sexually transmitted disease. If needed, they may order a urine test, a swab, a culture or tests for STIs.
Diagnostics of intimate infections in the gynaecological office
Diagnostics of intimate infections begins with a conversation about the symptoms. The doctor asks, among other things, about the type of discharge, odour, itching, burning, pain, the duration of the complaints, previous treatment, recurrences, intercourse, pregnancy, antibiotic therapy and any intravaginal preparations used. The doctor then performs a gynaecological examination and assesses whether additional tests are needed.
During the visit the doctor may:
- assess the appearance of the vulva and vagina,
- check the character of the discharge,
- take a swab from the vagina or cervix,
- order a culture with an antibiogram,
- recommend a vaginal pH test,
- refer for STI diagnostics,
- order a urine test if the symptoms suggest a UTI.
Such diagnostics helps to distinguish a vaginal yeast infection from bacterial vaginosis, bacterial vaginitis, trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection or a problem with the urinary tract. In the diagnostics of vaginal inflammation, assessment of the discharge, pH, microscopic examination, cultures and molecular tests are used, among others, depending on the symptoms and clinical suspicion.
Prevention and restoration of the intimate microflora
Prevention of intimate infections consists above all in supporting the natural vaginal microflora and avoiding factors that may disturb it. This is especially important with recurrent intimate infections, after antibiotic therapy, during pregnancy, with lowered immunity or after previous treatment of a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.
In everyday prevention it is worth paying attention to:
- gentle intimate hygiene without harsh preparations,
- avoiding vaginal douching,
- not choosing intravaginal medications without a diagnosis,
- wearing breathable underwear,
- changing out of a wet swimsuit or sweaty clothing,
- appropriate hygiene after intercourse,
- treatment in line with the doctor's recommendations until the end of the therapy,
- restoration of the microflora if the doctor recommends a probiotic or preparations supporting Lactobacillus.
In the case of recurrences, prevention alone is usually not enough. Then it is important to establish why the infections keep coming back - whether the problem is a vaginal yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, an STI, the partner, antibiotic therapy, metabolic disorders or previous incomplete treatment.
Frequently asked questions about intimate infections
Sometimes mild irritation may subside after removing the irritating factor, but an intimate infection should not be ignored. If discharge, itching, burning, pain or an unpleasant odour appear, or the symptoms recur, a gynaecological consultation is needed.
Not always. The doctor decides on tests after the conversation and the gynaecological examination. A swab, culture or additional tests are particularly useful in the case of recurrences, atypical symptoms, no improvement after treatment, pregnancy or suspected STI.
With strong symptoms, pain, fever, suspected STI or an infection during pregnancy, it is not worth postponing the visit. If the symptoms are mild and a swab will need to be taken, it is sometimes better to book the visit after the bleeding has ended - it is best to confirm this during registration.
No. A vaginal yeast infection is associated with the excessive growth of fungi, while bacterial vaginosis is associated with a disturbed balance of bacteria in the vagina. The symptoms may be similar, but the treatment is different, which is why a correct diagnosis is important.
In some situations yes, especially when a sexually transmitted infection or trichomoniasis is suspected, or with recurrent complaints. The doctor discusses this individually during the visit.
It is often recommended to refrain from intercourse until the end of treatment and the resolution of symptoms, especially when the infection causes pain, burning or an STI is suspected. It is best to discuss the decision with the doctor.
An intimate infection during pregnancy requires a gynaecological consultation, because the treatment must be chosen safely for the stage of pregnancy. You should not use intravaginal or oral medications on your own.
Recurrent infections may result from disturbances of the vaginal microflora, antibiotic therapy, lowered immunity, diabetes, STIs, intercourse, improper hygiene, treatment that does not match the cause, or a lack of treatment of the partner in situations where it is needed.
Intimate infections treatment price list
Service available at the following clinics:
- Warsaw Wola - price list
Have questions? Contact us - 22 100 45 20.