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What Causes Yellow-brown Discharge, Itching And Swelling In Vagina Despite Taking Medications?
Question: I started with mild vaginal itch that turned into intense burning and swelling. Area is VERY irritated. Went to my dr 5 days ago. Did a swab but was unable to use speculum because of intense pain. Prescribed one dose diflucan for yeast infection. Swabs came back negative for everything. Have had no relief. Yesterday started to get a bad ache down there. The swelling is horrible! When I pee it burns the outside of my vagina to the point of tears and there is a yellow/brownish discharge that is sometimes tinged with blood. It hurts ALL the time. The dr. also gave me a script for the diflucan 3 dose (1 every 72 hrs.) I am in a lot of pain and getting scared. Have been on hydrocodone for elbow surgery av few months ago. Could this cause it? What could it be?
Brief Answer:
need some details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns.
You have yellow-brown discharge, burning sensation, itching, swelling and irritation in vagina and blood tinged urine. Antifungal drugs are not working for you.
While I am pretty sure hydrocodone does not cause this symptoms, I would need some more details to comment further
When did these symptoms begin?
Is there a foul odour with discharge as well?
Are you sexually active? Change of partners? (Sorry if you feel offended).
Have undergone tests for blood sugar levels? Pelvic ultrasound?
Do you douche?
Kindly provide these details. It may not be a fungal aetiology. You might need antibiotics.
I have some suggestions for now for you:
1. Try to keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle, mild soap and warm water.
2. Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche. Also avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
3. After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.
4. Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight clothing.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Take care.
Thanks.
need some details.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns.
You have yellow-brown discharge, burning sensation, itching, swelling and irritation in vagina and blood tinged urine. Antifungal drugs are not working for you.
While I am pretty sure hydrocodone does not cause this symptoms, I would need some more details to comment further
When did these symptoms begin?
Is there a foul odour with discharge as well?
Are you sexually active? Change of partners? (Sorry if you feel offended).
Have undergone tests for blood sugar levels? Pelvic ultrasound?
Do you douche?
Kindly provide these details. It may not be a fungal aetiology. You might need antibiotics.
I have some suggestions for now for you:
1. Try to keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle, mild soap and warm water.
2. Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche. Also avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
3. After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.
4. Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight clothing.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Take care.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Urine is not blood tinged discharge is.
There is no odor.
I am sexually active with my husband. Symptoms worsened after sex 12 days ago. Prior to that I only had mild itching.
Blood sugar tested on 6/3 was normal, though I am pre-diabetic with A1C of 5.9. No recent ultrasound.
Never douched.
Am unable to wipe after peeing...can only XXXXXXX VERY gently. Washing is extremely painful as well. Have been using baby soap.
Thank you for your time.
There is no odor.
I am sexually active with my husband. Symptoms worsened after sex 12 days ago. Prior to that I only had mild itching.
Blood sugar tested on 6/3 was normal, though I am pre-diabetic with A1C of 5.9. No recent ultrasound.
Never douched.
Am unable to wipe after peeing...can only XXXXXXX VERY gently. Washing is extremely painful as well. Have been using baby soap.
Thank you for your time.
Brief Answer:
may be bartholin abscess.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Really sorry for the late response.
Thanks for the details.
I have understood your case details.
Following are my suggestions for you:
As you mentioned it appeared after intercourse, it might be infected bartholin cyst (better to say bartholin abscess). This will not respond to antifungal drugs.
It appears because of infection of glands situated in vagina. The asymptomatic cyst can get worsened further with forceful sex.
In my opinion, you need to take a 5-day course of antibiotic augmentin, along with pain killer combination containing ibuprofen plus serratiopeptidase.
If this does not help, surgical drainage of cyst will be needed. Its a simple surgery and needs only day care treatment.
Try to maintain the hygiene as far as possible.
Avoid intercourse.
You can also do sitz bath for relief.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Hope my suggestion help you.
I wish you well.
Thanks.
PS: My opinion is based on your description. The exact diagnosis and treatment is based on careful physical examination and test results.
may be bartholin abscess.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Really sorry for the late response.
Thanks for the details.
I have understood your case details.
Following are my suggestions for you:
As you mentioned it appeared after intercourse, it might be infected bartholin cyst (better to say bartholin abscess). This will not respond to antifungal drugs.
It appears because of infection of glands situated in vagina. The asymptomatic cyst can get worsened further with forceful sex.
In my opinion, you need to take a 5-day course of antibiotic augmentin, along with pain killer combination containing ibuprofen plus serratiopeptidase.
If this does not help, surgical drainage of cyst will be needed. Its a simple surgery and needs only day care treatment.
Try to maintain the hygiene as far as possible.
Avoid intercourse.
You can also do sitz bath for relief.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Hope my suggestion help you.
I wish you well.
Thanks.
PS: My opinion is based on your description. The exact diagnosis and treatment is based on careful physical examination and test results.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you. I had a Bartholins cyst surgically drained about 11 years ago. The deep ache I am feeling now is the same as it was then but I did not have all of these other symptoms the last time.
How many of these glands are in that area?
Is it possible for this to be a recurring problem?
My period just started overnight - should I wait until it ends or see my doctor right away?
How many of these glands are in that area?
Is it possible for this to be a recurring problem?
My period just started overnight - should I wait until it ends or see my doctor right away?
Brief Answer:
high chances of recurrence.
Detailed Answer:
Bartholin abscess is infection of Bartholin cyst which is two in number each one on either side situated on labia (folds).
There are chances of recurrence of bartholin cysts due to repeated blockage of glands.
Your current symptoms suggest that the cyst is infected.
Now a days it is treated by surgery called as marsuplisation.chances of recurrence is very minimal as compare to drainage. It is day care surgery.
I would advise you not to wait .you should visit your doctor asap.
Hope my answer clears your doubt satisfactorily.
Feel free to ask further .
Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.
Thanks.
high chances of recurrence.
Detailed Answer:
Bartholin abscess is infection of Bartholin cyst which is two in number each one on either side situated on labia (folds).
There are chances of recurrence of bartholin cysts due to repeated blockage of glands.
Your current symptoms suggest that the cyst is infected.
Now a days it is treated by surgery called as marsuplisation.chances of recurrence is very minimal as compare to drainage. It is day care surgery.
I would advise you not to wait .you should visit your doctor asap.
Hope my answer clears your doubt satisfactorily.
Feel free to ask further .
Kindly close the discussion if you have no more queries and give your valuable feedback.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Thank you again. last question....I promise!
The marsupialisation is what I had done. Can one or more of the other 3 be infected or does the procedure that was done take care of them all? The prior infection was in only one.
The marsupialisation is what I had done. Can one or more of the other 3 be infected or does the procedure that was done take care of them all? The prior infection was in only one.
Brief Answer:
surgical excision of gland and its duct.
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
I would like to clear this that there are two glands in total, one on each side. (not four in number).
Marsupialization is done for the affected gland and not for all.
There are chances that the cyst re-occur even after marsupialization.
In such cases, surgical removal of gland and its duct can be considered.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Feel free to ask more questions.
You can also approach me directly by visiting my profile, if you have more queries in future. I will be happy to help.
I wish you good health.
Hoping for your feedback.
Thanks.
Dr. Nidhi Setia.
surgical excision of gland and its duct.
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
I would like to clear this that there are two glands in total, one on each side. (not four in number).
Marsupialization is done for the affected gland and not for all.
There are chances that the cyst re-occur even after marsupialization.
In such cases, surgical removal of gland and its duct can be considered.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Feel free to ask more questions.
You can also approach me directly by visiting my profile, if you have more queries in future. I will be happy to help.
I wish you good health.
Hoping for your feedback.
Thanks.
Dr. Nidhi Setia.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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