Vaginal yeast infections are caused by a fungus called Candida Albicans. Infections can be localised, occurring in areas such as the vagina or the mouth, both of which cause a considerable degree of discomfort.
The vagina creates its own environment and maintains a balance among the normal bacteria found there and the hormonal changes in a woman’s body.
Infections can occur when the vaginal ecosystem has been changed by certain medications such as antibiotics, hormones, oral contraceptives, spermicides, douches, vaginal medication and also by sexual intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, stress and change in sexual partners.
Yeast infections are so common in women will have one at some time in their lives. Half of all women have more than one infection in their lives.
Symptoms of vaginal yeast infection include:
- Itching and burning in the vagina and around the outside of the vagina (the vulva, the “lips” of skin that surround your vagina)
- A white vaginal discharge that may look like cottage cheese
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Swelling of the vulva
Yeast are tiny organisms that normally live in small numbers on the skin and inside the vagina. The acidic environment of the vagina helps keep yeast from growing. If the vagina becomes less acidic, too many yeast can grow and cause a vaginal infection.
The acidic balance of the vagina can be changed by your period (menstruation), pregnancy, diabetes, some antibiotics, birth control pills and steroids. Moisture and irritation of the vagina also seem to encourage yeast to grow.
Yeast infections are usually treated with medicine that you put into your vagina. This medicine may be a cream that you insert in your vagina with a special applicator, or it may be a suppository that you put into your vagina and allow to dissolve on its own.
Medicine in a cream form can also be put on your vulva to help relieve the itching on the outside. However although this may be effective in relieving symptoms and reducing the local infection, it will not affect the rate of relapse of Candida infections.
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