Infections a problem after sex
Dear Dr Mitchell,
Every time I’m involved with someone sexually, I get UTI’s and yeast infections that occur very often. My partners are usually clean, but like clockwork, sex equals infections. When I’m not sexually active I don’t have them at all. What could be the problem? I’m worried that when I get married and start having sex regularly, I’ll always have these infections.
It is significant that you develop Urinary Tract Infections and possible yeast infections every time you are sexually active. There is usually some amount of irritation of the urethra (entrance to the bladder) during sexual activity and this is due to trauma. This sets up the condition for bacteria to invade the lining of the urethra and ascend into the bladder.
However there may be the urge to pass urine frequently with some amount of urgency and also discomfort after sexual activity. This does not necessarily mean that there is an infection and might be entirely an irritation. The thing to do is to empty the bladder right after sexual activity and to practice drinking a lot of liquids including cranberry juice. This amounts to approximately eight glasses of liquid daily.
Burning after intercourse is not always due to a yeast infection. Bacterial vaginosis may cause a burning sensation, a fishy odour and a grayish white discharge. This odour tends to be pronounced right after coitus. A yeast or candidiasis causes a thick curdy type discharge which is white in colour. There is usually no odour associated with a yeast infection.
Trichomonas vaginalis may also present in a similar fashion to bacterial vaginosis. The only difference is that the discharge is green in colour and this is definitely sexually transmitted. It is important that you use a condom and practice safe sexual activity every time. You cannot be absolutely sure about your partners and by having multiple sexual partners you will definitely increase your risk of exposure to major sexually transmitted infections such as the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
The other long-term problem that you will face is that of infection involving the fallopian tubes which will cause blockage of the tubes and subsequent infertility when you get married and want to have children.
It is important that you have a detailed examination done. This should include a Pap smear (screening test for cervical cancer) and blood test to check for diabetes mellitus and the HIV infection. These two conditions lower your immunity and put you at risk for recurrent infections such as UTIs and vaginal infections. The fact that you are fine when you are not sexually active suggests that you should be a lot more careful about your choice of partners.
You should have your current sexual partner do a screening test for all the major sexually transmitted infections including HIV and also do a urine test to check for bacterial infection. Both of you should be treated since the problem is a recurrent one. Men tend not to show any obvious signs of an infection of the genital tract even though the infection might definitely be present, so you have to exercise caution and have them treated.
