Q. Hello, Doctor. I am 20, and I'm in a long relationship with a guy. During all this time, I have kept on and on getting vaginal infections. I have been to a doctor, and he prescribed antibiotics and creams, which usually clear up the trouble, but just temporarily.
You see, four or five days later I start having the same problems again: itching, soreness, white discharge, and an uncomfortable feeling in my vagina.
Recently, I went back to the doctor and he did some lab tests which revealed that I had candida vaginal infection. He gave me some anti-candida medication, and that cleared it up, for a few days.
Then we resumed intercourse. Three days later, I again experienced itching and discharge. So I began to wonder whether my boyfriend was giving me something.
He is now telling me that every time we have sex, he experiences fine bumps on his penis a few days later. He also gets itching on the penis.
So, Doctor, please help me. My mind is in no peace. Is it possible that my guy is being unfaithful? Is that the cause of my recurring candida infection?
Another problem has now occurred. He is now accusing me of being unfaithful, and of bringing this infection into our bed. In fact, I have NOT been unfaithful, and he is the only guy I go with.
Is it possible that NEITHER of us has been unfaithful, and this infection keeps occurring despite the fact that neither he nor I have been fooling around with others?
A. You will see that I have slightly changed one or two details of your story, in order to prevent you from being recognised. I am sorry that you have been fretting, and that you have had so much trouble with your vagina.
Vaginal candida is a real common problem. I would say that at least half of all young women will get it by the age of 25.
What is it? It is a little fungus. It has a couple of other names, away from 'candida.' It is also known as 'thrush' and, less frequently, as 'monilia.'
This little fungus loves warm, moist places. You might be interested to know that it often occurs in new-born babies' mouths, where it produces soreness and a white tongue. It is likely that the child catches the infection while passing through the mother's vagina at delivery.
As far as sexually active females are concerned, the little candida just adores the vagina. Indeed, the vagina is the ideal place for it, because this area is so warm and moist.
Often, candida will lie dormant - that is, causing no trouble - for many months or even years at a time. But then it starts creating problems!
In females, the classic symptoms of a candida infection are what you have been experiencing, namely:
Vaginal soreness
Itching of the vulva
A thick, white, 'cheesy' discharge.
Now what about guys? It is not widely known that males can catch candida too! Very often a guy will get the fungus from his girlfriend - but usually he will NOT realise it, since candida generally causes NO symptoms in males.
However, some guys do get symptoms, and it is clear that your boyfriend has been experiencing them. He has the classic male features of:
Soreness of the skin of the penis;
Little bumps on it - these are usually itchy.
Now, it is real important for both of you to realise that if a person gets candida, that does NOT necessarily mean that he or she has been playing around.
You will appreciate that the fungus can just lie silently in the body for many years - possibly even from early childhood - and then flare up and cause trouble.
So I think it is perfectly possible that your boyfriend has been absolutely faithful to you, as you have been to him.
What you need to do now is to make sure that next time there is a flare-up of your candida, BOTH of you get treated. There is a most valuable rule for ANY female who keeps on getting attacks of candida, and it is this: treat both partners.
If both partners are treated with anti-fungal cream, or oral anti-fungal capsules, that should greatly reduce the chances of further attacks. I wish you both well.
Q. Hello, Doc. I am a 19-year-old guy. I would like to know if a man can get 'low sperm count' from having a lot of sex?
My girlfriend is four years older than I, and she wants to have sex much more than I do. Please advise.
A. No, a guy is not really going to lower his sperm count significantly by having a lot of sex. This is because of the fact that the testicles are like two busy factories, which are producing literally millions of sperms every day.
On the other hand, if a male is trying to get his partner pregnant, it is quite a good idea to 'save up' the sperm for a couple of days before actually making the attempt.
But in your case, I think you should forget all about this idea that your girlfriend's sexual demands will lower your sperm count. If she is simply too sexually active for you, then maybe both of you should look for better-matched partners.
Q.I am a girl of 17, and each month I get a pain in the lower belly, occurring about halfway between my menses. Why?
A.This is probably the classic pain which is caused by ovulation in some females. It is known by the German name mittelschmerz - which just means 'middle pain'.
So if this is just ovulation pain, it is a sign that everything is working OK. Nevertheless, please get yourself checked out by a doctor, just in case there is some other explanation.
Q.I am a guy of 21, and I have just found a lump in my testicle. Can I ignore it, Doctor?
A.No, no, no! Cancer of the testicle is at its most common in the 20s. So you must see a doctor this week, for an examination and probably a scan. Let us hope it will not turn out to be cancer.
Q.The other night I had sex and my boyfriend ejaculated inside of me. I took the 'emergency pill', but three days later I saw a white, creamy substance coming out of my vagina.
Does this mean I am pregnant?
A.No, it doesn't. But you should start using a regular, safe method of contraception.
Q.I am female, aged 18, and I have a funny feeling in my right breast. Could this be cancer?
A.Breast cancer is really rare at the age of 18. It does not become common till after age 30. Also, it does not generally cause 'funny feelings'. It usually causes a LUMP in the breast.
So please see a doctor - but I doubt if you have any need to fret.
Want advice from Doc? Email editorial@gleanerjm.com or fax 922-6223.
