Vaginal yeast infection

What is it?

A vaginal yeast infection is a common condition that is caused by an overgrowth of yeast (also called candida) in the vagina. Candida is naturally occuring in the vagina but an inbalance or excess causes the yeast infection (also called candidiasis).

Some women can experience a yeast infection on the outer skin of the vagina (vulva) at the same time as having a vaginal yeast infection. Candida is fungus and needs to be treated with a specific treatment targeted at the overgrowth.

Symptoms

• Vaginal itching
• Vaginal discharge that may be thick, white, and lumpy- sometimes the consistency resembles cottage cheese
• vaginal soreness, burning or irritation- this is predominantly noticed around the vulva.
• rash or redness on the outer skin of the vagina
• Burning sensation with urination
• Discomfort or pain during intercourse

Causes

There are many possible causes of a yeast infection. Some of them are listed below. Note, any number of these variables alone might cause a yeast infection. An increase in exposure to multiple variables may increase the liklihood of a yeast infection.

• Birth control pills. Women who take the birth control pill are more likely to suffer from yeast infections. This is due to an increase in certain hormones emitted by the pill.
• Hormonal changes. Many women experience an increase in yeast overgrowth right before their periods. An increase in progesterone levels might contribute to this.
• Antibiotics. Antibiotics strip the body of "bad" bacteria or the initial cause of the body's infection. However, antibiotics also get rid of the "good" bacteria which keeps the body's PH levels in balance. When this PH is off kilter it can cause an over-growth of yeast in the body.
• Diabetes. Diabetics have insulin issues which can comprimise the breakdown of sugars.
• Refined and Hi-sugar diet. Too much sugar and refined starches can upset the PH level in the body, contributing to an over-growth of yeast in the body. In this way, excess sugar consumption has the same negative effect on the balance of the body that antibiotics do.
• Tight or wet clothing. Clothes that are too tight can create an excess heat in the vaginal area. Since yeast grows in warm conditions, tight clothes can contribute to a yeast infection. Similarly, certain fabrics, such as nylon can cause a yeast infection. Wet bathing suits are also guilty of contributing to a yeast infection.
• Pregnancy. Due to elevated progesterone levels, women can be prone to more and prolonged yeast infections when they are pregnant.
• Weakened Immune system. Those with weakened immune systems from illness (such as HIV) or from medications (corticosteroids, chemotherapy) are more prone to yeast infections- both vaginal and oral.

Other causes of vaginal discharge: Note that there are other causes of vaginal discharge that are not associated with a yeast infection but do resemble it. The most common cause of vaginal discharge that is not a yeast infection is caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Some of these STDs are: vaginosis, gonorrhea, chlamydia. If you have treated your discharge with yeast infection medication and find no relief from the symptoms it is important to contact your doctor. A STD requires a different form of treatment than yeast infection and will require medical attention to cure.

Who gets it?

• Women are much more prone to yeast infections than men. Although men can have yeast overgrowth around the folds of the skin of their penis and testicles.
• Women of child-bearing age are more prone to yeast infections given the hormonal balance in their body.
• People with specific illness or compromised immune systems are more likely to get yeast infections.

How is it diagnosed?

If you have never had a yeast infection before, it is recommended that you go to your doctor for a diagnosis. While yeast medication is sold over the counter, it is important to rule out any more serious conditions first. However, if you have suffered from a yeast infection before and know the symptoms, it is OK to self diagnose.

Treatment

Pharmaceutical treatments

There are many forms of treatment available today. Below is a list of creams that are sold over the counter and can be administered at home.

• Miconazole, brand name is Monistat
• Tioconazole, brand name is Vagistat
• Butoconazole, brand name Femstat
• Clotrimazole, brand name Femizole-7 or Gyne-Lotrimin

Most of the treatments listed above can be purchased at the local drug store or pharmacy. Most are also supplied in a generic formulation which can save a significant amount of money. Treatments come in 1 day, 3 day or 7 day doses. Some find that the higher dose of the 1 day is strong but does not necessarily work as well as the longer doses.

• Diflucan. Diflucan is a newer treatment. It is an orally administered pill (usually 1 day) that can get rid of any systemic yeast infection in the body. Many women prefer this to the "messy" creams listed above.

Natural remedies

With frequent use of the vaginal creams listed above, it is not uncommon to become resistent to their effectiveness. In fact, regular use of the creams can eventually cause stronger strains of yeast that are harder to get rid of. As a result, trying more natural remedies to treat the yeast can be beneficial. Here are a few that have been effective for many women:

• Probiotics or acidophilus. Probiotics replace the body's "good" bacteria and can help to keep the body's PH levels in balance. Some women find that they can actually treat a yeast infection by cutting sugars and alcohol out of their diet and increasing their intake of probiotics. These people find that treating a yeast infection with natural means first can eliminate the need to take medications. (Yeast medications taken often can, overtime, create a greater imbalance in the vaginal area, leading to more yeast infections.)
• Tea Tree therapy suppositories. These are natural suppositories made of tea tree oil. You can get them at the health food store. They help to allow the body's natural defenses to regain control. They are best used in conjunction with yeast minimizing diet. They can be used for 6 consecutive days, or up to 28 days in more extreme situations. As with any yeast medication, it is important to make sure that you are sure of diagnosis before treating.
• Garlic suppositories. Wrap a glove of garlic in a piece of gauze and insert it up the vagina. Make sure you leave a piece of the gauze hanging out so you can remove the garlic the next morning. Insert the garlic remedy right before going to bed and remove it in the morning. Try this for 3-6 nights and see if you notice an improvement. While this seems odd and a little smelly and gross, it really does work for some women.
• Yogurt suppositories. Insert acidophilus-filled yogurt into the vagina at night. You can purchase a natural, plain (non-sweetened) form of yogurt from any market. Use this for 6 or so nights and see how it works. Sometimes putting a thin layers on the outter vaginal lips also helps to cool some of the intense itching.

Prevention

The best form of treatment for a yeast infection is to prevent them from happening in the first place. If you are prone to yeast infections, take the following steps to try to minimize their occurence:

1. Keep the genital area clean and dry. Wetness, moisture and heat all create a breeding ground for candida. You can do this by:

• Wearing cotton underwear
• Wearing loose fitting clothing
• Changing clothes and underwear after excercise or prolonged wearing in hot environments.
• Change out of bathing suits and damp clothes as soon as possible.
• Use unscented minipads and change them often (if you use them.)
• Use a cool blowdier to fully dry the vaginal area after showering (and before putting on undergarmets).

2. Look into any medications that you are taking that might be contributing to getting yeast infections. See if there are alternate medications. If not, take the other precautions listed here.

3. Take probiotics or acidophilus. You can get this at any natural food markets or from vitamin suppliers online. Make sure you follow the instructions. And make sure you take them if you have to take a round of antibiotics!

4. Change your diet. Cut down on sugars, fruits and fruit juices and alcohol. These all add to an over-growth of yeast in the body. Some also find that cutting out refined foods make a big difference. This means eliminating white breads, rices and grains and introducing more whole wheat, brown rice and whole grains.

What is the long-term prognosis?

Yeast infections are very common. In fact, most women will have at least one over the course of her life. Yeast infections will not comprimise health in any way and will not cause long term damage to the female reproductive cycle.

However, if you suffer from multiple and recurring yeast infections (such as once a month or more than 3 in 6 months), it is important to work with a doctor to see if there is another underlying condition.

If you find that you have reccurent yeast infections, it is also worth looking into treatment for system candida. While this is not as recognized in Western medicine, many naturopaths and acupuncturists have had success treating it.

Related WikiHealth articles

• Candidiasis
• Pregnancy