How to Spot, Treat, and Prevent Common Vaginal Infections

If you’ve ever wondered what the heck is going on 'down there', you’re not alone. Vaginal infections are incredibly common — and often incredibly confusing. Knowing how to identify what’s going on can save you time, money, and discomfort. And while many women reach for treatment after symptoms start, the truth is: prevention should be the real goal.

Let’s break down the most common vaginal infections, how to spot the signs, and what actually works to keep things balanced.

Yeast Infections (Candidiasis)

• What it feels like: Itching, irritation, swelling, and burning — especially during urination or sex.
• What it looks/smells like: Thick, white discharge with a cottage cheese-like texture. Usually no strong odor.
• Why it happens: Overgrowth of Candida yeast — often after antibiotics, hormone changes, or sugar spikes. Swimming in chlorinated or bacteria-filled water can also disrupt vaginal pH and make you more vulnerable, especially when there are already underlying factors at play.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

• What it feels like: Mild irritation or none at all, but may include burning or itching.
• What it looks/smells like: Thin, gray-white discharge with a strong fishy odor, especially after sex.
• Why it happens: An imbalance of healthy vs. harmful bacteria in the vagina. This shift can be triggered by new partners, douching, or being in water that throws off your pH balance or introduces bacteria.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• What it feels like: Burning when peeing, constant urge to urinate (without complete 'emptying'), pelvic pressure, sometimes cloudy or pinkish urine.
• What it looks/smells like: Urine may appear cloudy or have a strong odor. Vaginal discharge usually isn't affected.
• Why it happens: Bacteria (usually E. coli) enter the urethra — often due to wet/tight clothes or contaminated water in lakes, pools, or hot tubs.

Vaginitis (General Inflammation)

• What it feels like: Burning, itching, soreness, irritation, pain with sex or urination.
• What it looks/smells like: Varies depending on the cause — discharge may be thin, thick, smelly, or not noticeable at all.
• Why it happens: Caused by infections (yeast, BV, trichomoniasis), allergies, or irritants — and often flares up after exposure to harsh pool chemicals.

What Helps

Mild yeast or BV can often be treated with over-the-counter antifungals like Monistat or boric acid suppositories. D-mannose is commonly used to flush bacteria from the urinary tract and help with UTIs. But treatment doesn’t always work long-term — especially if the root causes aren’t addressed. And of course, it's always best to seek the guidance from a medical professional, which can add up quickly. Prevention is more powerful and cost-effective than a temporary fix.

Proactive Prevention with The V Seal

Many women notice that infections flare up after a day in the pool, lake, hot tub, or spa — where chlorine, pH shifts, and harmful bacteria can all mess with the delicate vaginal microbiome. The V Seal is the only product that offers a proactive solution to this problem.

It’s a discreet, medical-grade adhesive that temporarily seals the vaginal while swimming, protecting against chemical and bacterial intrusion. So you can enjoy the water — without having to pay for it later.

It's better to seal it than to have to heal it.