Yeast Infections- 01

1- Vaginal Yeast Infections

2- Yeast Infection, or Something Else?
3- Symptoms of a Yeast Infection

4- Vaginal Yeast Infection -- Symptoms
5- What Causes Yeast Infections?
6- Vaginal Yeast Infection -- Treatment
7- When to Self-Treat
8- Over-the-Counter Treatments
9- Treating With Prescription Drugs

10- How to Prevent Yeast Infections
11- Vaginal Yeast Infection -- Prevention

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1- Vaginal Yeast Infections

What Are Vaginal Yeast Infections?

They’re itchy and uncomfortable, and no one really likes to talk about them. But vaginal yeast infections are very common in women. It’s estimated that 75% of all women will have at least one in her lifetime, and 40%-45% will have multiple cases.

Though yeast infections can happen to anyone at any time, there are certain things that make getting them more likely. Most infections can be cleared up quickly and easily.

The vagina normally contains a healthy balance of bacteria and yeast. The hormone estrogen helps bacteria called lactobacilli to grow. These bacteria kill harmful organisms in the vagina and keep you healthy. But when something happens to tip that balance, a fungus called candida can grow out of control and cause a yeast infection.

What Causes Yeast infections?

There are many reasons you could get a yeast infection, including:

• Hormones: Changes during pregnancy, breast-feeding or menopause(or if you’re taking birth control pills) can change the balance in your vagina.
• Diabetes: If your diabetes is not well-controlled, the increase in sugar in the mucus membranes (moist linings) of your vagina can create a place for yeast to grow.
• Antibiotics: These drugs can kill off many of the bacteria that live in your vagina.
• Douches and vaginal sprays: The use of these products can change the balance in your vagina.
• A weakened immune system: If you are HIV-positive or have another immune system disorder, the yeast may also grow uncontrolled.
• Sex: Though a yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, it can be passed from person to person through sexual contact.

The Symptoms

Itchiness and discomfort are the main symptoms of a yeast infection, but there are others. You may also experience any or all of the following:

• Burning, redness, and swelling of the vagina and the vulva (the outer part of the female genitals)
• Pain or burning when you pee
• Pain during sex
• A thick, white, odorless discharge, similar to cottage cheese

If you think you have a yeast infection, see your doctor before treating yourself. The symptoms of yeast infections are similar to other, more serious conditions, including sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis (bacterial overgrowth in the vagina). An accurate diagnosis is important so you can get the best treatment.

If you don’t have a yeast infection and use antifungal medication, it can make future yeast infections more difficult to treat.

Treatments

Over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments or suppositories (with miconazole or clotrimazole) are the most common ways to treat yeast infections. These can take from 1 to 7 days. Your doctor may also prescribe a single-dose pill with fluconazole (an antifungal medicine) for you to take. If you’re pregnant, it’s safe to use creams or suppositories, but not the fluconazole you take by mouth.

It’s important for you to know that some yeast infection medications weaken condoms or diaphragms. That makes it easier for you to get pregnant or contract a sexually transmitted disease. Be sure to read instructions and warnings before using.

If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you may get yeast infections over and over again. It’s a condition called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC). If you get yeast infections at least four times a year, your doctor may recommend that you take a weekly fluconazole pill for 6 months to fight them.

What About Probiotics?

Some studies have shown that eating probiotic yogurt or taking Lactobacillus acidophilus supplements may slow the growth of yeast in the vagina, lowering the risk for infections. But more research is needed before a clear connection can be made.

2- Yeast Infection, or Something Else?

Do I Have a Yeast Infection, or Something Else?

Yeast infections can be uncomfortable, but they’re usually not serious. If you have one, there might be itching or irritation in or around your vagina, as well as a thick, white discharge. In many cases, an antifungaltreatment will clear up your symptoms.

If you’re not sure whether you have a yeast infection or something else, it’s important to see a doctor for the right diagnosis and treatment. This is important. If you don’t really have a yeast infection, antifungals won’t help you get better. They can actually prolong the real problem, because while you’ll think you’re treating the issue, the real cause will continue to develop.

What Else Could It Be?

There are several reasons you might be experiencing symptoms that are like a yeast infection.

Some STDs. Herpes, genital warts and trichomoniasis (trich) can also cause irritation, itchiness, and discharge that has a slight odor. With other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, you don’t always have symptoms, but you might experience pain and burning when you pee.

STDs often need a different kind of treatment than a yeast infection. For example, trich isn’t caused by a fungus. It’s caused by bacteria. To treat it, you’ll usually need to take strong antibiotics for a short period of time.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV). This is an infection that’s caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. There’s no specific cause for it, but along with redness and itchiness, you might notice discharge that’s gray or white and has a fishy odor. If you have BV, your doctor may prescribe oral antibioticslike metronidazole or tinidazole, or vaginally applied antibiotic creams or gels with metronidazole or clindamycin.

Allergies or other skin conditions. Certain products can trigger symptoms if you’re allergic to one or more of their ingredients. Soaps and feminine hygiene products can sometimes do this, as can laundry detergents. Certain skin conditions can also cause itching and other symptoms. They sometimes require treatment with steroid ointments like hydrocortisone. Small cuts can even feel itchy and irritated while they’re healing.

Hemorrhoids : Hemorrhoids can sometimes cause itching. They can also affect the area in and around the vagina too. Typical home treatments are a sitz bath (warm water you sit in to help relieve pain in your bottom or around your private parts) or witch hazel wipes to soothe the symptoms.

Not enough estrogen. As you get older, your level of estrogen decreases. This can cause changes in your body, like thinner skin. That can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like itching and discharge. In some cases, using a vaginal lubricant to lower friction can help. You may also want to talk to your doctor about taking a small dose of estrogen.

3- Symptoms of a Yeast Infection

What Are the Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?

It can feel like itching or maybe even burning. Or you may experience swelling so extreme, it leads to sores. Whether your symptoms are mild or severe, a yeast infection can be uncomfortable.

Also known as vaginal candidiasis, yeast infectionsare caused by a fungus. It generally causes your vagina and vulva (the tissues at the opening of the vagina) to itch. There can also be discharge.

Yeast infections are common. Three of every four women get one in their lifetime. And many women get it more than once.

Knowing how to spot the signs and symptoms of a yeast infection can help you get the most effective treatment.

Common Symptoms

If you have a vaginal yeast infection, you’ll most likely experience extreme itching in and around your vagina; this is the most common symptom. Aside from itching, you might also have:

• Intense burning, especially when you urinate or during sex
• Swelling and redness around your vulva
• Pain and soreness in your vagina

You might also have vaginal discharge. The discharge could be:

• Watery or
• Thick, white, and odorless, resembling cottage cheese

Signs of a Complicated Infection

Sometimes the symptoms of your yeast infection can be more serious and require extra care. You might need a longer course of treatment or a plan to keep the infection from coming back.

You can develop a more complicated infection if:

• You’re pregnant
• You have uncontrolled diabetes
• Your immune system is weakened by medications you’re taking or a health condition like HIV

Your infection might also be more complicated if it’s caused by a type of fungus that’s not the kind that usually causes yeast infections.

Signs of a complicated infection include:

• Severe symptoms (such as redness, swelling, and itching so severe that it causes tears or sores)
• A yeast infection that occurs four or more times in a year

If your symptoms are severe or they don’t get better after treatment with an over-the-counter cream or suppository, call your doctor.

Here are some other reasons to make an appointment:

• You've developed other kinds of symptoms.
• This is your first yeast infection.
• You’re not sure whether you have a yeast infection or something else.

Yeast Infections in Men

Men can get yeast infections too. They can happen when there’s an overgrowth of fungus (candida) on the skin. This can happen if a man has sex with a female partner who has a vaginal yeast infection. It’s more common in men who aren’t circumcised. The symptoms include:

• Itching, burning, or redness on the penis
• A thick, white substance in the skin folds of the penis, and moistness
• Shiny, white areas on the penis