Description

A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection. It causes irritation, discharge and itching of the vagina and the vulva. Vaginal yeast infection also called vaginal candidiasis.

Vaginal yeast infection affects the majority of the people assigned female at birth at some point in life. Many have at least two infections.

People who don't have sex they can have a vaginal yeast infection. So it is not though, as a sexually transmitted infection. But you can get vaginal yeast infections through sex.

There is an increased risk of vaginal yeast infection when you start having sex. And some vaginal infections may be linked to a sexual contact between the mouth and the genital area, called oral-genital sex.

Medicine can treat vaginal yeast infections. Yeast infections that spend four or more times in a year may need a period of treatment, and a plan to avoid them.

Symptoms

Yeast infection symptoms range from mild to moderate. They may include:

  • Itching and irritation in the vagina and the tissues at the opening of the vagina is called the vulva.
  • A burning sensation, especially during intercourse or while urinating.
  • Redness and swelling of the vulva. The redness may be more difficult to view in Black or brown the skin than in white skin.
  • Vaginal pain and soreness.
  • Thick, white Vaginal shedding of fluid and cells, called download, with little or no odor. The discharge looks like cottage cheese.

Complicated yeast infection

You could have a complicated yeast infection if you:

  • You have severe symptoms, such as a large amount of redness, swelling and itching that leads to tears, cracks or sores on the vagina.
  • You have four or more yeast infections in a year.
  • The infection is caused by a less common type of fungi.
  • You're pregnant.
  • You have diabetes that is not well-managed.
  • Your immune system is weakened because of certain medications or conditions such as HIV infection.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care professional if you:

  • This is the first time you have ever had symptoms of a yeast infection.
  • You're not sure if you have a yeast infection.
  • Your symptoms do not disappear after the treatment is with antifungal vaginal creams or suppositories that you can get without a prescription.
  • If you have other symptoms.

Causes

The fungus Candida albicans causes most yeast infections of the vagina.

Most often, the vagina has a balance of yeast, including candida, and bacteria. Certain bacteria called lactobacilli work in order to avoid an excess of yeast.

But some of the factors that can affect balance. Too much yeast or fungus that grows the most in the vaginal cells causes the symptoms of a yeast infection.

Too much yeast can be the result of:

  • The use of antibiotics.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Diabetes that is not well managed.
  • A weakened immune system.
  • The use of birth control pills or hormone therapy increases levels of the hormone estrogen.

Candida albicans is the most common type of fungus that causes yeast infections. When other types of candida fungus cause yeast infections, which can be more difficult to treat.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of getting a yeast infection include:

  • The use of antibiotics. Yeast infections are common in people who take antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics kill a wide range of bacteria. They also kill the healthy bacteria in the vagina. This can lead to an excess of yeast.
  • High levels of estrogen. Yeast infections are more common in people with high levels of estrogen. The pregnancy, birth control pills and hormone therapy can increase the levels of estrogen.
  • Diabetes that is not well managed. People with poorly managed blood sugar are at greater risk of yeast infections that are well-managed blood sugar.
  • Weakened immune system. People with low immunity are more prone to yeast infections. Lower immunity may be of either corticosteroid therapy or HIV infection or other diseases that suppress the immune system.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of vaginal yeast infections, wear cotton underwear crotch and doesn't fit too well.

In addition, these tips can help prevent a yeast infection:

  • Do not wear tight socks, underwear or jeans.
  • Do not use douches. This removes some of the good bacteria in the vagina that protect against infection.
  • Do not use perfumed products in the vaginal area. For example, do not use scented bubble bath, soap, sanitary napkins and tampons.
  • Do not use hot tubs or taking hot baths.
  • Do not use antibiotics that do not need it. For example, do not take antibiotics for colds and other viral infections.
  • Don't stay in wet clothing, such as bathing suits and workout clothes, for longer than is necessary.

Diagnosis

To diagnose a yeast infection, your health care professional may:

  • Questions about your medical history. This could include the past vaginal infections or sexually transmitted infections.
  • Do a pelvic exam. This involves looking at your genitals for signs of infection. Then your health care professional puts an instrument called a speculum into the vagina. The speculum holds the walls of your vagina to open the vagina and the cervix are easy to see. The cervix is the lower part, most narrow part of the uterus.
  • Test of vaginal fluid. The laboratory testing of vaginal fluids can search by yeast or find the type of fungus causing the infection of yeast. Knowing that the fungus may help your health care professional suggests that treatment.

Treatment

The treatment for yeast infections depends on the severity of infections and the frequency with which they occur.

If you have mild to moderate symptoms and do not get infections often, the treatment options include:

  • Short-course vaginal therapy. The use of an antifungal medication, for 3 to 7 days more often disappears a yeast infection. Antifungal medications come in the form of creams, ointments, pills, and small objects that are put into the vagina is called a suppository. They include miconazole (Monistat 3) and the medication. You can get these drugs with or without a prescription.
  • A dose of medicine that you take by mouth. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a dose of fluconazole (Diflucan). To manage severe symptoms, you can take two doses of three days apart. Oral medicine are not often used in pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.

The Food and Drug Administration recently approved two drugs to treat vaginal yeast infections. One is oteseconazole (Vivjoa), by mouth. This medicine is only for people who can't get pregnant, and who have infections that keep coming back.

The other medication is ibrexafungerp (Brexafemme). This is also taken by mouth. Studies show that these drugs could work for vaginal yeast infections that do not respond to other treatments.

Consult your health care professional again if treatment is not clear that your symptoms or if your symptoms return within two months.

The treatment for yeast infections that have serious symptoms or is going to happen can often include:

  • Long-course vaginal therapy. Use an antifungal medicine every day for up to two weeks. Then, you take it once a week for six months.
  • More than one dose of medication that you take by mouth. Take 2 to 3 doses of an antifungal medication by mouth instead of having vaginal therapy. But this therapy is not for pregnant people.
  • Boric acid therapy. A capsule that has boric acid is placed inside the vagina. This medicine can be fatal if taken by mouth. Just about candida fungus that are unresponsive to other treatments. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy.

Alternative medicine

There is No alternative medicine therapies have been proved to treat vaginal yeast infections. Some alternative treatments may give you a little relief when taken with what your healthcare provider suggests.

Talk with your health care professional about what alternative therapies for vaginal yeast infection can be safe for you.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have been treated for a yeast infection in the past, your healthcare provider may prescribe a treatment over the phone without seeing you. If not, it is likely that you need to see your primary care professional or gynecologist.

What you can do

Do not use tampons or douche before your appointment.

Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms and when they began.
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you take, including over-dose.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

Some questions about vaginal yeast infections are:

  • What can I do if my symptoms return after treatment?
  • How can I prevent yeast infections?
  • What symptoms should I watch for?

Be sure to ask all the questions that you have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • How to note a strong vaginal odor?
  • Have you ever been treated for a vaginal infection?
  • Have you tried out the products you can get without a prescription to treat your condition?
  • You've taken antibiotics recently?
  • Are you sexually active?
  • Are you pregnant?
  • Does the use of scented soaps or bubble bath?
  • How to use douches or feminine hygiene spray?
Symptoms and treatment of Yeast infection vaginal)