What is a vaginal yeast infection?
Vaginal yeast infection, also known as candidiasis, is a common condition. A healthy vagina contains bacteria and some yeast cells. But when the balance of bacteria and yeast changes, yeast cells can grow manifold. It causes intense itching, swelling and burning.
Vaginal yeast infection treatment can relieve symptoms within a few days. In more severe cases, it may take up to 2 weeks.
Vaginal yeast infection is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), commonly known as a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Sexual contact can spread it, but women who are not sexually active can also get it.
Once you have a yeast infection, you are more likely to get another one.
Symptoms of yeast infection
There is a common set of symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, such as:
Vaginal itching
Swelling around the vagina
Urination or burning sensation during sex
Pain during sex
Soreness
redness
Rash
Whiteish-gray and clumpy vaginal discharge is another telltale symptom. Some people say that it resembles discharge cheese. Sometimes discharge can also be water.
The length of time your yeast infection is left untreated usually has a direct effect on how severe your symptoms can be.
Causes yeast infection
The fungus Candida is a naturally occurring microorganism in the vaginal area. Lactobacillus bacteria inhibit their growth.
But if there is an imbalance in your system, these bacteria do not work effectively. This leads to yeast overgrowth, which causes symptoms of vaginal yeast infection.
Several factors can cause yeast infections, including:
Antibiotics that reduce the amount of lactobacillus ("good bacteria") in the vagina
Pregnancy
Uncontrolled diabetes
Weak immune system
Poor eating habits, including foods with too much sugar
Hormonal imbalance near your menstrual cycle
Tension
lack of sleep
A specific type of yeast called Candida albicans causes most yeast infections. These infections are easily curable.
If you are having problems getting rid of yeast infections or recurring infections with traditional treatments, a different version of Candida may be the reason. A lab test can identify which type of candida you have.
How is vaginal yeast infection diagnosed?
Yeast infection is easy to diagnose. Your doctor will ask about your medical history. This includes whether you have had a yeast infection before. They may also ask if you ever got an STI.
The next stage is a pelvic exam. Your doctor will examine your vaginal walls and cervix. They will also look at the surrounding area for external signs of infection.
Depending on what your doctor sees, the next step may be to collect some cells from your vagina. These cells go to a lab for examination. Lab testing is usually ordered for women who have a regular yeast infection or for infections that do not go away.
Treatment of yeast infection
Each yeast infection is different, so your doctor will suggest a treatment that is best for you. Treatments are usually prescribed based on the severity of your symptoms.
Simple transition
For a simple yeast infection, your doctor usually takes an antifungal cream, ointment, tablet or suppository for 1 to 3 days. These drugs can be in either prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) form.
Common medicines include:
Butoconazole (guenazole)
Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
Miconazole (Monistat)
Terconazole (Terrazole)
Fluconazole
Women with simple yeast infections should work together with their doctors to ensure that the drug has worked.
If your symptoms return within two months, you will also need a follow-up visit.
If you recognize that you have a yeast infection, you can also treat yourself at home with OTC products.
Complex infection
Your doctor will more than likely treat your yeast infection as if it were a serious or complicated case if you:
Severe redness, swelling, and itching that causes sores or tears in your vaginal tissue
There are more than four yeast infections in a year
Apart from Candida albicans, an infection caused by Candida is
Are pregnant
The drug has uncontrolled diabetes or a weak immune system
Be HIV
Possible treatments for severe or complicated yeast infections include:
14-day cream, ointment, tablet or suppository vaginal treatment
Two or three doses of fluconazole (Diflucan)
Long-term prescription of fluconazole is taken once a week for 6 weeks or long-term use of a topical antifungal medication
If your infection is recurring, you may also want to see if your sexual partner has a yeast infection. Remember to use barrier methods, such as condoms, when you suspect someone has a yeast infection. Talk to your doctor about all the options for your yeast infection treatment.
Yeast infection home remedies
If you want to avoid taking prescription medications, you can try treating vaginal yeast infections with natural remedies, but these are not as effective or reliable as the indicated medications. Some popular natural remedies include:
coconut oil
Tea Tree Oil Cream
Garlic
Boric acid vaginal suppositories
Plain curd is taken orally or inserted into the vagina
Always make sure that your hands are clean before applying cream or oil to your vagina.
You will also want to talk to a doctor before trying natural remedies. This is important because, if your symptoms are caused by something other than a simple yeast infection, your doctor can help diagnose your condition.
Talk to your doctor about herbal remedies if you take OTC or prescription drugs. Some herbs may interact with the drugs you are taking or may cause other unintended side effects.
Yeast infection in men
While vaginal yeast infections are more common, it is also possible for men to get yeast infections. When it affects the penis, it is known as a penile yeast infection.
All bodies have Candida - not just the female body. When there is an excess of this fungus, it can cause a yeast infection. The Candida area is particularly at risk of Candida overgrowth due to skin folds and moisture.
Nevertheless, penile yeast infection is most commonly caused by unprotected intercourse with an unprotected woman who also has an infection. Wearing a condom during sex can help prevent yeast infections. Regular bathing may also help.
Symptoms of a yeast infection in men may not be as prominent, although you may notice redness and white patches in the penis as well as burning and itching sensations. See your doctor for a proper diagnosis if you believe you have a penile yeast infection.
Yeast Infection in Infants
While yeast infections are usually associated with vaginal infections, children can also get them.The most common yeast infection in a child is a diaper rash. However, not all diaper rashes are the result of yeast overgrowth.
You may be able to tell that despite using a diaper rash cream if your baby's skin is extremely red and there are spots in the diaper/groin area, this condition is more than a diaper rash. Yeast infections can also present in other layers of the skin, such as under the armpits.
Your child's pediatrician will likely prescribe a topical antifungal cream to treat yeast infections of the skin. Oral medication may be required if your child has oral thrush (a yeast infection of the mouth). While yeast infections in infants are usually harmless, they can cause more serious infections if left untreated.
Are yeast infections contagious?
Yeast infections are not considered STIs, but they can still be contagious. You can pass a yeast infection during oral or vaginal intercourse. It is also possible to transmit the infection through a sex toy and by kissing someone with oral thrush (a yeast infection by mouth).If the mother has a vaginal infection during delivery, the baby can get a fungal diaper rash at birth. If you are present in the Candida overgrowth breast area, you may undergo a yeast infection in your baby's mouth during breastfeeding.
When you can pass a yeast infection to another person, it is not contagious in the same way that other infections are. For example, you cannot "catch" an infection by air or by using an infection shower. If you are concerned about transmission, talk to your doctor about all the ways that a yeast infection in your condition can be contagious.
Yeast infection in pregnancy
Yeast infection during pregnancy is common due to hormone fluctuations. If you are pregnant and suspect a yeast infection, you will want to see your doctor so that you can get the correct diagnosis.
Yeast infection during pregnancy is not always treated like non-pregnant women. You will not be able to take oral antifungal drugs due to possible birth defects. It is safe to use topical antifungals during pregnancy.
While yeast infections have not hurt your baby, it is possible to pass them on to Candida fungi during childbirth. After this, your baby may have a diaper rash and oral thrush. It is important to treat yeast infection early, especially if you are pregnant so that you can prevent any such complications.
Yeast Infection vs UTI
Another common infection in women is a urinary tract infection (UTI). Although it is possible to have both infections at one or the other, or even at the same time, UTIs and yeast infections are two different conditions.
A UTI is a bacterial infection that affects the urinary system. This complex system includes your urethra, as well as your bladder and kidneys. Sex, STIs, and failure to urinate regularly can all lead to UTIs.
Symptoms of a UTI are also different from a yeast infection. Not noticeable discharge, but you may notice small amounts of blood in your urine. A UTI can also cause frequent urination as well as pelvic and abdominal pain.
Without treatment, a UTI can lead to more serious complications of the kidney. You must see a doctor to take antibiotics. Ask your doctor for more information about the difference between a yeast infection and a UTI.
Yeast infection test
If this is your first suspected yeast infection, then you want to get a proper diagnosis from a doctor. This ensures that your symptoms are definitely related to Candida overgrowth and not a more serious condition.
Your doctor will first conduct a pelvic examination, which will notice any visible discharge, redness, and swelling. They will ask you about other symptoms you are experiencing, such as burning and painful urination.
If necessary, your doctor may order a vaginal fluid test. They will first collect a sample of vaginal discharge with a cotton swab, which will then be sent to a laboratory for study under a microscope. Once your doctor has actually prescribed it a fungal infection - or any other type of infection - then they will be able to determine the right type of treatment.
Yeast infection after sex
While it is possible to develop a yeast infection after sex, a yeast infection itself is not an STI. Instead, there are other factors at play that can throw off Candida balance in the vaginal area. Vaginal intercourse, as well as penetration through sex toys and fingers, can all introduce bacteria.
Another possibility is having vaginal intercourse with a man who has a penile yeast infection. The opposite can also happen, where a man can develop a penis yeast infection from a woman who has a vaginal yeast infection. Oral sex can also inhibit bacteria in the mouth, vagina and penis areas.
It is also possible that yeast infection is entirely coincidental. There are many underlying risk factors for a yeast infection, sexual intercourse is just one of them.
Yeast infection vs BV
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common type of vaginal infection in women between the ages of 15 and 44 years. The primary reasons for this are bacterial imbalances from docking and sex - it is not a fungal infection like a common infection. Biwi is also called a strong fishy smell.
BV has symptoms similar to yeast infections including discharge, burning, and itching. This can make the distinction between the two infections difficult. But when a vaginal yeast infection does not cause long-term complications, untreated BV can.
Complications include fertility problems and premature delivery (if you become infected while pregnant), and a greater risk of contracting STIs.
Unlike a yeast infection, you will need a prescription antibiotic to cleanse the BV. Your doctor will help you distinguish the difference between a yeast infection and BV.
Yeast infection prevention
Chances are you know exactly what causes your yeast infection. For example, some women experience these infections every time they take antibiotics. You know the exact cause, here are some habits you can adopt and help prevent recurring infections.
Start:
Eating a balanced diet
Eating yogurt with lactobacillus or taking supplements
Wearing natural fibers such as cotton, linen or silk
Washing underwear in warm water
Repeatedly replacing feminine products
Avoid:
Wear tight pants, pantyhose, tights or leggings
Using feminine deodorant or scented tampons or pads
Sitting around in wet clothes, especially bathing suits
Sit in a hot tub or take a hot bath continuously
douching
Yeast infection essential oils
Essential oils have gained a lot of attention over the past several years as "natural" remedies for common medical ailments. These plant-based products can be powerful, but as of now, no research has shown that essential oils work better for yeast infections than traditional methods.
One issue with essential oils is that some people may be allergic to them. It is a good idea to do a patch test on a small area of skin before applying it to large areas of the body. This is especially important when considering sensitive areas such as the vagina.
It is also important to dilute the oils properly before use. Confirm with your doctor that your symptoms are actually caused by a yeast infection before trying essential oils as a treatment. You can then ask them about safe oils for your yeast infection, such as coconut oil.
Yeast infection and duration
Both a yeast infection and your period can feel like a double-whammy. However, this is not uncommon. Yeast infections are most likely to occur in women, up to their period during the last days.Hormone fluctuations are thought to cause yeast infections before your period, causing an imbalance in healthy bacteria in the vagina.
If you experience white to yellow discharge the week before your period, it is not automatically a yeast infection. If you also experience other hallmark symptoms, such as redness, burning, and itching.
While a nuisance, early treatment can help clear your yeast infection before your period begins. If the symptoms of your period infection do not improve after your period ends, see your doctor. If you continue to get yeast infections before your period every month, you may see them.
Takeaway
Yeast infection is a common occurrence, but early treatment can help reduce uncomfortable symptoms within a few days. By recognizing your own risk factors, you can prevent future infections.
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