Vaginal Infection Treatment in Singapore
BV, Yeast & Recurrent Infections
What is Vaginal Infection
Almost every woman would have experienced at least one vaginal infection at some point in her life. Is it common? Yes. Do you accept it as normal? No.
Our vagina is a very manipulated organ. Things go in and things come out and yet, she is fussy. She likes to be at a precise pH of 3.5 to 4.5. It can be difficult to maintain this idealistic, acidic environment, hence making it common for women to get infections, like yeast, fungal and common bacterial infections like bacterial vaginosis, commonly known as BV.
Factors that may cause your vagina to become more alkaline include menstrual blood which is why many women have vaginal infections that flare up after their period ends. Semen is also alkaline, which is why some women experience more vaginal irritations when their partners ejaculate inside them. Period products like pads and tampons, and vaginal douching may also cause infections.
Just like body odour, our vaginal odour is unique to us. When your vaginal discharge is different from what you are used to, be it in the way it looks or smells, trust that you know that something is not right, that is when you should contact your doctor about the possibility of an infection.
75% of women have experienced vaginal fungal infections at least once in their lifetime. 45% of these women will go on to have recurrent infections.
Common Types of Vaginal Infections
Vaginal infections are one of the most common amongst women in Singapore. While the symptoms can feel similar, the underlying causes are different and so is the treatment. Getting the diagnosis right is the first step to getting better. The three most common vaginal infections we treat at Insync Medical are:
Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
The most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age. BV happens when the protective lactobacillus bacteria in the vagina drop, and other bacteria such as Gardnerella, Prevotella, and Mobiluncus overgrow. The hallmark symptom is a thin, grey or white discharge with a noticeable fishy odour, often more obvious after sex or during menstruation. BV is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, but sexual activity can disrupt vaginal balance and trigger it.
Vaginal yeast infections (candidiasis)
Caused by overgrowth of Candida species, most often Candida albicans. Candida normally lives in small amounts in the vagina without causing problems. When the vaginal environment shifts — after antibiotics, during hormonal changes, in the humid Singapore climate, or when immunity is lowered — Candida can multiply. The typical signs are thick, white, odourless discharge with intense itching and burning. Roughly 75% of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime.
Trichomoniasis
Caused by a parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis) and transmitted sexually. Discharge is often frothy, yellow-green, and has a strong odour. Trichomoniasis is treated differently from BV and yeast, which is why proper testing matters.
We also see mixed infections (more than one organism at the same time) and atypical cases that don’t fit a single textbook diagnosis. Self-treating with over-the-counter creams based on guessed diagnosis is one of the most common reasons women end up with recurrent infections, the wrong organism gets treated, the actual one persists.
Symptoms and When to See a Doctor
A change in vaginal discharge, odour, itching, or discomfort is usually the first sign of an infection. See a doctor if you notice:
- Discharge that has changed in colour, consistency, volume, or smell
- Itching, burning, or soreness in or around the vagina
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Pain or discomfort during sex
- Unexplained spotting or bleeding outside your period
- Symptoms that return after over-the-counter treatment or don’t fully clear
See a doctor earlier if you are pregnant, have a fever, have severe symptoms, or have had three or more infections in the past 12 months. Early assessment is also recommended during pregnancy. Consultation at our clinic are conducted in private consultation rooms, and we also have private waiting areas for additional privacy.
How We Diagnose Vaginal Infections
Many vaginal infections share overlapping symptoms, itching, discharge, irritation and accurate diagnosis usually requires clinical assessment and testing rather than symptoms alone.
Your consultation at our clinic typically includes:
- History review — symptoms, cycle, sexual history, recent antibiotic or contraceptive use, and past infections
- Clinical examination — visual and speculum examination
- Vaginal swab testing — to identify the organism (bacteria, yeast, parasite, or mixed), with laboratory culture or PCR testing where appropriate for recurrent or resistant cases
- pH testing — helps differentiate BV from yeast infections
- STI screening — where clinically relevant
Treatment Options for Vaginal Infections
Beyond medication, treatment at Insync Medical addresses the underlying environment. We use a combination approach to treat and prevent re-infection. Treatment plans are individualised after consultation. The right plan depends on the organism, severity, whether it’s a first episode or recurrent, and your overall health, including pregnancy, hormonal status, and other conditions.
The treatment depends on the culprit bug. It could be a bacteria, a fungus or a parasite. It could also have been a sexually transmitted making it an STD. Recurrent vaginal infections cannot be permanently resolved with just a single treatment. A longer course of maintenance therapy will likely be required.
This can come in the form of oral tablets or vaginal pessaries which are small inserts of antifungal placed into the vagina overnight. Sometimes creams may be used to treat fungus that has progressed to involve areas outside the vaginal canal, like the labia causing extensive itching.
Pills like metronidazole and tinidazole are commonly prescribed to treat bacterial vaginosis. Antibiotics like clindamycin and metronidazole are available in a gel or cream that you insert into your vagina.
We may also provide anti-fungal creams for pre-emptive prevention of a fungal infection, as antibiotics can also kill good bacteria in the vagina, which increases the growth of fungus.
Vaginal laser is a novel method to prevent recurrent vaginal infections from BV and fungus. The painless lasers are applied to the entire vaginal canal. In this way, resetting the topmost layer of the vaginal wall allows it to develop a fresh coat more robust than before. And all it requires is just 1 session!
Suppresion therapy can include the use of anti fungal tablets taken weekly for over 6 months. This is especially useful for women who have recurrent infection where simple, one-off treatment just would not cut it.
If an infection is recurrent, the fungus has likely been dormant for a long time. In such cases, it is imperative to understand that it will take a longer, stretched-out treatment to get rid of the fungus completely.
Why Infections Come Back and How We Treat Recurrence
If you’ve had three or more vaginal infections in the past year, repeating the same one-week antibiotic or antifungal course is unlikely to break the pattern.
Why Vaginal Infections Keep Coming Back
Recurrent BV or yeast infections aren’t about hygiene — they happen because the underlying vaginal environment hasn’t been restored. Read the five main reasons recurrence happens and what an effective protocol should look like.
Vaginal Laser for Recurrent Vaginal Infections
For a small group of women with BV or yeast infections that don’t respond to standard treatment, vaginal laser therapy is a novel adjunctive option. Read who it’s suitable for, what to expect, and where it fits within recurrent infection care.
Chronic & Recurrent Yeast Infections - Why Short Treatments Fail
A chronic yeast infection is generally defined as four or more episodes within 12 months. Read why standard one-week antifungal courses often don’t work, and what an effective recurrent yeast infection protocol involves.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) - Treatment, Recurrence, and Partner Care
BV is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age, and recurrence rates can reach 80% after standard treatment. Read how recurrent BV is treated differently — including when partner treatment may help.
We’re here to answer even the most sensitive and intimate questions. Take the first step, and we’ll take care of the rest.
FAQ
The three most common vaginal infections are bacterial vaginosis (BV), vaginal yeast (candida) infections, and trichomoniasis. BV is the most common and is caused by a shift in the balance of vaginal bacteria. Yeast infections are caused by overgrowth of Candida species, most often Candida albicans. Trichomoniasis is caused by a parasite and is sexually transmitted.
BV typically produces a thin, grey or white discharge with a fishy odour, often more noticeable after sex or during menstruation. A yeast infection typically produces a thick, white, odourless discharge with intense itching and burning. Because symptoms can overlap and self-diagnosis is unreliable, accurate diagnosis requires a clinical assessment and swab test.
Bacterial vaginosis is not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, and it can occur in women who are not sexually active. However, sexual activity can disrupt the vaginal microbiome and increase the risk of developing BV — particularly with new partners, multiple partners, or unprotected sex.
A chronic or recurrent yeast infection is generally defined as four or more episodes within 12 months. Standard one-week antifungal courses often don’t break this pattern, so chronic yeast usually requires species testing, longer suppression therapy, and review of underlying drivers such as hormonal status, blood sugar control, and antibiotic history.
Oral probiotics have limited evidence for reaching and effectively colonising the vagina. Specific vaginal probiotic strains — particularly those containing Lactobacillus crispatus or Lactobacillus rhamnosus — have stronger evidence for supporting the vaginal microbiome and may help reduce recurrence when used as part of a structured treatment plan.
We generally recommend avoiding penetrative sex during active treatment for a vaginal infection. Sexual activity can disrupt the vaginal environment while it’s recovering and, in some cases, interfere with topical treatments. Specific guidance will be given at consultation based on your situation.
Treatment for recurrent vaginal infections is not a quick fix. Recurrent BV protocols typically run from several weeks to a few months, and chronic yeast suppression therapy is usually around six months. The exact length depends on the cause, severity, what’s been tried before, and how the vaginal environment responds to treatment.
Insync Medical is located at 66 East Coast Road, The Flow, #07-01, Singapore 428778. Opening hours are Monday to Thursday 9am–9pm, Friday 9am–5pm, and Saturday 9am–3pm. To book a consultation, WhatsApp +65 9087 8717 or use the booking form on this page.
