Staphilococus

Hello doctor,

I am a woman of 26 years. Last year i had my first time intercourse. And after that i never had sex anymore, for my choice. The problem is that the last couple of months i have itching, burning, redness and when i visited the doctor he did a chlamydia test which was ok, i didnt have the bacteria. But again i continue to have itching and burning especially burning after the menstruations,i have these symptoms for 6 months now and i did a vaginal discharge culture and i have staphilococus. I am so worried, do not know if i got it through the sexual intercource i had? Is this bacteria permanently cured? Can i have children in the future? Supposing i had these infection for 6 months inside me, is there the possibility to have demaged ovaries ?
Thanking you in advance,
suela

[Hellen J Kim]

You are correct that there are many diseases that can be transmitted sexually.  They are referred to as STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases).  The most common ones are Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomonas, Syphilis, HIV, and Hepatitis B.  Ones that specifically cause reproductive problems if they aren’t treated are Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.

If you used a condom during your one and only episode of sexual intercourse, then the likelihood of you getting Chlamydia, Trichomonas, and/or Gonorrhea is very low.  But there are other diseases that are not sexually transmitted that can cause vaginal itching, pain, or burning, such as urinary tract infection, yeast infection, or bacterial vaginosis.

I’m not sure what you mean by a “vaginal discharge culture”.  Is this a test that you did yourself or something that the doctor’s office or lab did?  

Either way, there are many bacteria (like Staphylococcus) and yeast that live on our skin and in our vagina.  Their presence is normal and don’t cause problems.  Staphylococcus is a bacterium that doesn’t usually cause problems in the vagina.  Rarely, when it does cause an infection in the vagina that spreads to the blood stream, it is related to tampon use and known as Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS).  From what you have written, I doubt that you have TSS, because you would be very sick and would likely be dead by now if you had it for 6 months.  Signs of TSS are super high fevers, chills, nausea, vomiting, and very severe sunburn like body rash.

It sounds like you are still having symptoms, I highly suggest that you go see your gynecologist and be tested for Chlamydia, Trichomonas, Gonorrhea, urinary tract infection, yeast infection, or/and bacterial vaginosis.  

In the future, if you decided to have sex, use a condom to prevent pregnancy and STD's with a new partner or if not in a monogamous sexual relationship.