What is a vaginal yeast infection?
Vaginal yeast infections, also called candidiasis, are a common female condition. A healthy vagina has bacteria and some yeast cells. But when the balance of bacteria and yeast changes, the yeast cells can multiply. This causes intense itching, swelling, and irritation. Treating a vaginal yeast infection can relieve symptoms within a few days. In more severe cases, it may take up to two weeks. Vaginal yeast infections aren’t considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Sexual contact can spread it, but females who aren’t sexually active can also get them. Once you get a yeast infection, you’re also more likely to get another one..Vaginal yeast infection facts:
- Most vaginal yeast-based infections are caused by the organism Candida albicans.
- Yeast infections are very common and affect up to 75% of women at some point in their lifetime.
- The main symptom of a vaginal yeast infection is itching, but burning, discharge, and pain with urination or intercourse can also occur.
- Treatment involves topical or oral antifungal medications.
- It is possible for a woman to transmit a yeast infection to a male sex partner, even though yeast infection is not considered to be a true sexually-transmitted disease (STD) because it can occur in women who are not sexually active.
- Treatment of candidiasis in men, like in women, involves antifungal medications.
- Keeping the vaginal area dry and avoiding irritating chemicals can help prevent yeast infections in women.
- Consuming foods with probiotics also may help.
What causes vaginal yeast-based infections?
The fungus Candida is a naturally occurring microorganism in the vaginal area. Lactobacillus bacterias keeps its growth in check. But if there’s an imbalance in your system, these bacteria won’t work efficiently. This leads to an overgrowth of yeast, which causes the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections. Several factors can cause an infection from yeast, including:- antibiotics (they lower the amount of Lactobacillus, or good bacterias, in the vagina)
- pregnancy
- uncontrolled diabetes
- weak immune system
- poor eating habits, including a lot of sugary foods
- hormonal imbalance near your menstrual cycle
- stress
- lack of sleep
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3 Most commons causes for yeast infection:
1. Not changing your tampon frequently enough:
"Yeast breeds in high-moisture environments, and pads and tampons can keep unwanted moisture around, allowing yeast to grow," says Taraneh Shirazian, MD, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Medical Center. Her simple solution: Change pads/tampons often, specifically as the weather becomes warmer. Related: How to get rid of yeast infection2. Taking antibiotics:
If you take an antibiotic for strep throat, an UTI, or any other ailment, it can throw your entire personal ecosystem out of whack, says Kathryn A. Boling, MD, a primary care provider with Luther-ville Personal Physicians. "Antibiotics can destroy off the healthy bacteria in the vagina, enabling yeast to overgrow." To bolster good bacterias and reduce the chances of infections, Boling recommends taking a probiotic supplement along with your antibiotic. "Probiotics with lactobacillus are the best to take because that's the dominant bacteria found in the vagina of healthy women," she explains. Prefer to obtain these good bugs from food instead of pills? Yogurt works, as long as you choose one that contains "live energetic cultures."3. Having high blood sugar:
Got diabetes or prediabetes? Watch out. Yeast gets energy from sugars, and infections thrive in moist areas of the body, including the vagina.Soures:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/vaginal-yeast-infection#diagnosis
- https://www.prevention.com/health/6-most-common-causes-of-yeast-infections
- https://www.medicinenet.com/yeast_infection_in_women_and_men/article.htm
