Vaginal yeast infections are nasty and annoying but for the most part they are not debilitating or life threatening if a yeast infection is all that you really have. The most important thing when dealing with a yeast infection, as with any health related issue that you might have, is to understand the symptoms, the causes, and the potential treatments.
All of the media commercials on yeast infection remedies have made women very sensitive to the potential symptoms to the point that every little itch they get between their legs is assumed to be a yeast infection which they then respond to by applying a powerful antifungal cream. The potential problem with that is that is it’s not always a yeast infection that is the problem. And by over-exposing the naturally occurring vaginal yeast to these antifungal medications over time they can become resistant. Since the resistant yeast are the ones that survive and multiply, you end up with a cuchi full of drug resistant bugs. When this happens, the over the counter medications will stop being effective and you’ll have to go see a doctor to get some prescription strength medication to fight your yeast infection with.
Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection
How do you really know that you have a vaginal yeast infection? Doctors always say that its best to get in and see them if you think you have a yeast infection so that you can get it properly diagnosed. It’s a good idea to see your gynecologist the first couple of times. They will be able to tell you if you do have a yeast infection and then you will know what the symptoms look and feel like the next time it happens. A doctor can take a sample using a swab and look at it under a microscope to be sure that you are dealing with a yeast infection and not something else. Once you have developed some experience in the area of vaginal yeast infections you will probably be able to tell by how it feels, what it looks like, and as nasty as it sounds, the smell.
What does a yeast infection feel like?
You will experience an intense itching and burning sensation in the area of your vulva and vagina. While the itching isn’t always present, sometimes it can get so bad that you won’t even want to walk.
What does a yeast infection look like?
A yeast infection will range in appearance from a thin clear discharge to a faintly yellow thick discharge to thick white and clumpy. To view medical images of an active vaginal yeast infection click here.
What does a yeast infection smell like?
Believe it or not it can smell like beer or even bread. But it pretty much smells like yeast. It will smell like the yeast you use for baking bread or brewing your own beer.
Causes of a yeast infection
Like everything else in life there are causes and effects. Yeast infections are no exception. It’s wise to understand what the causes are so that you can understand what to do to avoid yeast infections in the future.
Vaginal yeast infections are caused by the bacteria Candida albicans. Candida albicans along with a few other types of bacteria are normally present in small numbers in your vagina. Sometimes the yeast multiply quickly and take over. When this happens, you get a full blown yeast infection. The medical term for this is candidas monilia. The cause of candidas monilia, or a vaginal yeast infection can be due to an increase in heat and moisture, hormonal changes, an allergic reaction, a change in pH, high blood sugar levels, and finally a reduction to the population of other beneficial bacteria normally found in the vagina, the last one being one of the largest causes of vaginal yeast infections.
Beneficial bacteria normally found in the vagina can and do get killed off in large numbers from antibiotics. It’s because of this that antibiotics are probably one of the leading causes of vaginal yeast infections in women. Something as simple as an ear or a sinus infection that is treated with an antibiotic can unfortunately lead to a yeast infection because the antibiotic kills of the beneficial bacteria that normally help to keep candida albicans in check. Believe it or not antibacterial soap can have the same effect as can commercial douches. The odor causing bacteria that the douches get rid of are the same bacteria that keep the yeast in check.
Condoms can promote yeast infections both by the spermicide nonoxynol-9 which has been linked to yeast infections and through an allergic reaction to the latex material that condoms are made out of. DO NOT USE THIS AS AN EXCUSE TO PRACTICE UNPROTECTED SEX!
WARNING: if you have an active yeast infection, you should refrain from sexual activity that involves vaginal penetration, you should not use tampons, you should not use commercial douches, and you should take extra care to change your underwear and/or menstrual pads often.
Can men catch a yeast infection? Hell yeah, and it aint pretty when it happens.
See what happened when Charlie caught a yeast infection
Now that you know the causes and symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection click here to read about how to treat one.
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