Can a Vaginal Yeast Infection Irritate the Bladder?
Can irritation of the bladder be caused by a vaginal yeast infection?
An irritated bladder is certainly a very annoying symptom, as it can make you constantly feel like you “have to go.”
Another symptom is leakage of urine.
Frequent trips to the toilet provide only temporary relief, if at all.
When women experience bladder related symptoms, they often assume that the source is a urinary tract infection.
But don’t dismiss the possibility that the vagina could be involved.
“Overgrowth of vaginal bacteria or yeast can cause bladder symptoms,” says Michael Ingber, MD, board certified in urology, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, and founder of The Center for Specialized Women’s Health, division of Garden State Urology.
“The bladder is found in front (anterior) of the vagina,” continues Dr. Ingber.
“Any infection which causes inflammation of the vaginal wall can directly irritate the bladder and cause bladder symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency or leakage.”
Though these symptoms can also be caused by a urinary tract infection, a urinary tract infection cannot cause vaginal itching, dryness or burning.
Dr. Ingber continues, “Sometimes, the vulvar vestibule can get affected as well. This is the region just inside the labia minora (small lips of the vulva) but not inside the actual vaginal canal.
“The urethra opens up in this area. When the vulvar vestibule is inflamed from yeast infections, women can get symptoms of burning with urination.”
Other Symptoms of a Vaginal Yeast Infection
• Burning — also with intercourse
• Itching in the vaginal area
• Swelling of the vulva
• Redness of the vulva
• Vaginal discomfort or soreness
• Rash of the vagina
• Watery discharge
• Thick white discharge that resembles cottage cheese. It has no odor.
Most vaginal yeast infections are caused by the fungus Candida albicans.
If you have bladder related symptoms that last more than a day, make an appointment with your doctor.
Dr. Ingber is board-certified in Urology and Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery; is a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health. The Center for Specialized Women’s Health, division of Garden State Urology & Atlantic Medical Group.
specializedwomenshealth.com
(973) 537-5557
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Siriluk ok
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Sharp Headache When Ejaculating? What Should You Do?
Do you suffer a sharp headache or head pain only when you ejaculate?
“The act of ejaculation causes a great deal of changes in your body,” says Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD, a board-certified urologist specializing in chronic testicular pain and infertility, and co-founder of Drive 4 Men’s Health, a nonprofit public engagement campaign that has encouraged millions of men to be more active, eat well and get preventive medical screenings.
If you get a sharp or severe headache, even briefly, every time you ejaculate, it may seem logical to consult with a urologist to get to the root cause.
However, think about it: The pain is in your head, not in your genitals.
Dr. Brahmbhatt explains, “It’s rare I see a guy that has a sharp headache with ejaculation. If it is a consistent problem I would send these patients for an evaluation with a neurologist (medical doctor of the brain).”
The problem may actually be emanating from your head. Or, it’s possible it may be originating from the muscles of your neck or related to a pinched nerve in the neck region.
The point is, you need to see a neurologist who may want to order an MRI to see if there is anything going on in the neck or head that could be causing a headache every time you ejaculate.
Dr. Brahmbhatt is a fellowship-trained microsurgeon and has helped advance the use of robotics for men with chronic testicular pain. Having been with Orlando Health since 2013 he serves as director of the Personalized Urology and Robotics (PUR) Clinic. Drive 4 Men’s Health
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Andrey_Popov
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Pain in One Testicle During Coughing: Sign of Cancer?
When you cough, do you feel pain in one of your testicles?
What’s alarming about this is that testicular cancer typically occurs in only one testicle.
So when a new symptom occurs on one side of the body, it is especially worrisome to the individual.
Testicular cancer is not common, affecting over 9,000 U.S. men (most are between 20 and 35, but this disease can strike at any age) per year. (more…)
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Excess sweating behind the ears is annoying, but can it mean a serious illness?
There is a life threatening condition that might lead to excess sweating of the head: thyroid disease. (more…)
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Going on vacation soon and wondering how this might affect your use of Accutane?
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That Pimple Thing on Your Upper Lip Could Be Cancer
That stubborn thing on your upper lip may not be a pimple at all, but might be cancer if it’s been hanging there for a while.
The good news is that the top of your lips are not only extremely easy to inspect, but are typically viewed at least a few times a day. (more…)
Can Teens Get Melanoma from Moles They’ve Had for Life?
If you’re a teen, it’s not too early to check your lifelong moles every month for signs of melanoma—especially if you’ve spent a lot of time over the years in the sun without sunscreen.
You may also have “built-in” risk factors for melanoma, and being a teenager does not make you immune to this deadliest of all skin cancers.
For example, if you have a lot of moles, this is a risk factor. Teens Get Melanoma
Another risk factor is if many of these moles look odd or funny and have asymmetry.
A third risk factor is your natural coloring: red or blonde hair, light eyes, pale or “peaches and cream” skin – the kind that can’t tan well, if at all.
Teens have also been known to frequent tanning beds.
One-third of melanomas overall arise from pre-existing moles. However, in many cases an adult (especially an older adult) has no idea how long they had a mole that began evolving into cancer.
It may have been there all their life, since birth or since very early childhood. Or, it could have developed in their 20s or 30s or older.
Teens often do not know if a particular mole has “always been there,” especially if it’s in an obscure location.
When new moles form in locations that are seen nearly every day, it’s easy to tell if they’re new.
“Although very rare, there is always a chance that melanoma can occur from moles that are present since birth,” in teenagers, says Dr. Tess Mauricio, MD, FAAD, a leading board certified dermatologist from Stanford University Medical School and CEO of MBeautyClinic.com.
Dr. Mauricio explains, “This is the reason to watch for dynamic changes in symmetry, color, shape, size and symptomatology. Any old mole that starts changing in appearance, hurting, itching or bleeding needs to be evaluated and biopsied to be safe.”
Though teens should be vigilant with monthly skin exams (early stage melanoma is highly curable), this doesn’t mean you should worry about this disease! Live your life and have fun—but USE SUNSCREEN.
You should do more worrying about other things that are far more likely to kill you, such as careless driving (by your or a friend), taking illegal drugs, alcohol intoxication poisoning, mixing drugs with alcohol and attempting dangerous stunts like riding on top of cars. Even texting while walking can get you killed by an inattentive driver.
Take inventory of your moles.
Take particular note of those you can view easily such as the ones on your face, shoulders, arms, abdomen and front of your legs. Get to know their features, shapes, sizes, color variations, etc.
Have a dermatologist examine all of them to establish a baseline. Then inspect them every month.
This way if there are any changes in the future, you will easily detect them.
Dr. Mauricio is an internationally recognized cosmetic surgeon and the youngest woman to hold the position of President of The San Diego Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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