What is a Yeast Infection? Symptoms, Signs, and Causes
Vaginal yeast infects 3 out of women aged between 15-44 years. Fairly common, right? However common it may be, it is the cause of much uneasiness, especially for women. Although yeast can also infect men in the genitalia, it is really uncommon and less problematic.
Vaginal yeast or in fact any yeast infections usually infect in rainy seasons or seasons when you find much moisture in the air. Moist areas are heavenly for yeast, and yeast easily grows in such areas. As the vagina is always moist, yeast infections easily grow in it.
What are Vaginal Yeast infections?
So, the vagina has a balance between two major microorganisms- Candida Albicans and lactobacillus. The lactobacillus produces lactic acid that can check the growth of the yeast (Candida) and hence, both live happily together without causing problems.
The problem arises when in some situations, the amount of candida surpasses the amount of lactobacillus or the lactic acid is not able to curb the growth of candida. As soon as the basicity increases inside the vagina, candida starts its rapid growth, resulting in vaginal yeast infections.
What are some reasons behind the rapid growth of Candida?
1) Antibiotics: Using antibiotics without consulting a doctor can result in yeast infections. Antibiotics also kill the good bacteria in your body and therefore can kill lactobacilli, increasing the number of Candida.
2) Uncontrolled Diabetes: The chemical present in the urine of a highly diabetic person can also change the pH of the vagina, resulting in higher growth of yeast.
3) Birth control pills: Taking excessive birth control pills raises the level of estrogen in your body too much. This can also result in the rapid growth of yeast in the vagina.
Apart from these, a week immune system and pregnancy can also cause the growth of yeast inside the vagina.
What are the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections?
According to Firstpost.com,
“Yeast infection is often mild and easily treatable. Though some women can develop a more severe or complicated infection, too. The symptoms of moderate vaginal yeast infection are:
● Irritation and itching in the vagina and vulva
● Painful urination and intercourse accompanied by burning sensations
● Redness along with swelling in vulva and vagina
● Rashes, pain, and soreness in the vagina
● Watery or thick, white cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge which is normally odor-free
The symptoms of complicated yeast infection are:
● Vaginal infection recurs more than four times
● Symptoms like redness, swelling, and itching are severe and may lead to cracks, tears, and sores in the vagina and vulva
Some of the more common reasons for getting “complicated” vaginal yeast infection are pregnancy, diabetes, and weakened immune system because of HIV infection”
Treatment of vaginal yeast infections
Vaginal yeast infection is easily treatable especially if the infection is mild or less serious. Yeast infection creams, ointments, or tablets. Some of the common yeast infection creams used in case of mild infections are:
● butoconazole (Gynazole)
● clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
● miconazole (Monistat)
● terconazole (Terazol)
● fluconazole (Diflucan)
Keep in mind that all these are just names and without a doctor’s advice and prescription, they are of no use or can even be harmful. You must always follow up with a doctor after completing a course of medicine and before starting a course.
Some yeast infection cream courses used in complicated infections are:
● 14-day cream, ointment, tablet, or suppository vaginal treatment
● two or three doses of fluconazole (Diflucan)
● long-term prescription of fluconazole taken once a week for 6 weeks or long-term use of a topical antifungal medication.
These are all just possible treatments, you must go to your doctor if you have a complicated case of yeast infection.
Conclusion
Vaginal yeast infections are common and are easily treated by yeast infection creams. However, if you have recurring infections, you should refrain from hot water baths as they kill the good bacteria in your vagina. You should also refrain from unhygienic bathrooms as you can catch other infections that complement the yeast inside your vagina.
Excessive use of antibiotics also kills the good bacteria inside the vagina. The most important precaution is to keep your vagina dry and clean as yeast loves moist places. The more you keep it dry the less you are prone to infection.