Dear Hollyastrickler,

No, you can't get a yeast infection from a toilet seat. Yeast infections begin inside the body. Most healthy women have a small amount of a certain kind of yeast called candida in their vaginas. When yeast in the vagina overgrows, a "yeast infection" develops. The medical name is candidiasis. It is one of the causes of vaginitis — a vaginal discharge and/or intense itching around the vagina and vulva.

A yeast infection can develop because of

• certain antibiotics
• diabetes
• drugs that slow the immune system (like cortisone)
• immune deficiency
• normal hormonal changes (some women)
• pregnancy

It's important to have a health care provider be sure that it is a yeast infection because there are other, more dangerous, causes of vaginitis that may appear to be yeast. Your provider will recommend a treatment. Treatments for yeast infections include prescription and over-the-counter medications. Pills, taken orally, require a prescription. Several vaginal creams and suppositories are available without a prescription. Most of these are used for one to seven days. Treatment is successful more than 90 percent of the time.

If you think you have a yeast infection, see a health care provider. Or call 1-800-230-PLAN to make an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.