vagina .
The chief symptom is a whitish or yellowish vaginal discharge. Treatment depends on the cause: appropriate drugs for sexually transmitted disease s (often from Gardnerella bacteria or {{link=trichomonad">trichomonad s) or yeast infections; estrogen cream for atrophy of the vaginal lining, which may dry out after menopause ; and avoidance of any chemicals found to trigger irritation or allergy.