[Question #10004] Vaginal discharge - cottage cheese-like - std or other?
 |
26 months ago
|
Hello,
This is a follow up question of sorts, to my last one from last year.
The last 2 days (6 months post my protected - except for oral - exposure to the escort) my wife started having vaginal discharge. It started out white, but is now slightly yellow. It is cottage cheese-like. There's no strong odor, but it does smell slightly different from the norm apparently. She had a bit of vaginal irritation the last few days but we didn't think much of it as she's had itching before over the years.
The last 2 days (6 months post my protected - except for oral - exposure to the escort) my wife started having vaginal discharge. It started out white, but is now slightly yellow. It is cottage cheese-like. There's no strong odor, but it does smell slightly different from the norm apparently. She had a bit of vaginal irritation the last few days but we didn't think much of it as she's had itching before over the years.
We have had unprotected sex many times in the past 6 months (though not for the month after my exposure). The last week we have had sex 3 or 4 times, with my finishing inside her each time. I have had no symptoms of anything since my exposure.
I am concerned that she may suddenly be showing symptoms of chlamydia/gonorrhea/trichomoniasis. What are teh chances of this, do you think - that it suddenly shows up like this?
It is possible she caught something that wasn't showing until now? Thanks!
It is possible she caught something that wasn't showing until now? Thanks!
 |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
26 months ago
|
Welcome back to the Forum. On this occasion I happened to pick up your new questions but, in preparing to respond, I reviewed your earlier exchange with Dr. Handsfield and agree with all that he said. The likelihood that your wife's change in vaginal discharge is related to your encounter 6 months ago is virtually zero. Were an STI related to that encounter to cause symptoms, this would have occurred long ago. The most common cause of vaginal discharge in women is bacterial vaginosis, a disruption in the vaginal bacterial ecosystem. BV may occur following sex but is not technically an STI- treating partners does not prevent it from occurring or recurring. In all likelihood there are multiple possible disrupters. Alternatively, this discharge could be due to a vaginal yeast infection, another non-STI problem that women experience from time-to-time but no as a typical STI. The likelihood that this is gonorrhea or chlamydia, as previously discussed is close to zero, particularly after six months. As for trichomoniasis, this infection is simply not meaninfully transmitted through givng or receiving oral sex as thus is not a concern either.
---
Two further comments:
1. If your wife is troubled by this discharge, she should be seen by a gynecologist who can assess her. Her change in discharge however is unlikely to be an STI related to your CSW encounter 6 months ago.
2. In your earlier posts you mentioned that your relationship is "open". Is this on your side or both sides?
I hope this perspective is helpful. I would have no concerns about this being an STI. EWH
|
26 months ago
|
Hello Dr. Hook - thank you for your response.
To answer your first question - well, technically the open relationship goes both ways, but I'm the only one who has taken advantage of it - and only a couple times - 6 months ago and then 10 months ago. Perhaps she will, but hasn't yet.
To answer your first question - well, technically the open relationship goes both ways, but I'm the only one who has taken advantage of it - and only a couple times - 6 months ago and then 10 months ago. Perhaps she will, but hasn't yet.
All the std's I/you mentioned are potential things that come up when googling, which I know is often not advisable (but is also natural when something odd shows up). Of course, bacterial infections also came up, yeast being the predominant one. I thought it was unlikely to be an STD, but it was really the colour that got me concerned. She even mentioned it was a little grey-ish at times. But the cottage-cheese texture is apparently a classic of yeast infection.
My throat situation from the previous post got better, though I was never tested for anything (including strep). They gave me penicillin sent me away. Whether or not it was cured due to the antibiotics or just went away on its own, I will never know (maybe I never had strep).
The thought has always lingered in my mind that maybe it was an std - but I suppose it's not likely my wife's situation, and that has any connection since they are different parts of the body? And any other intercourse 6 months ago (and 10 months ago) was using a condom - which I suppose isn't 100% effective, but there was no breakage.
I will update here if the situation warrants...
My throat situation from the previous post got better, though I was never tested for anything (including strep). They gave me penicillin sent me away. Whether or not it was cured due to the antibiotics or just went away on its own, I will never know (maybe I never had strep).
The thought has always lingered in my mind that maybe it was an std - but I suppose it's not likely my wife's situation, and that has any connection since they are different parts of the body? And any other intercourse 6 months ago (and 10 months ago) was using a condom - which I suppose isn't 100% effective, but there was no breakage.
I will update here if the situation warrants...
|
Edward W. Hook M.D.
26 months ago
|
Just as an FYI, grey discharge and change in odor are characteristics if the NV syndrome I mentioned earlier. EWH ---