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Yeast Infections 101
by Adrienne Carlish, 11.08.05
Ingesting too much yeast in the form of bread or alcohol does NOT cause a yeast infection! |
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Yeast is a fact of life — most people have small amounts of yeast in their mouths, intestines, or, for women, their vaginas. For many women, yeast infections are a fact of life, too! Yeast infections are really common, and there's no need to be embarrassed if you have one. Read on to find out more about yeast infections — from what they are to how to avoid them.
What is a yeast infection?
Many 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, often leaving a vaginal discharge and/or an intense itching around the vagina and vulva.
What causes a yeast infection to develop?
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
Ingesting too much yeast in the form of bread or alcohol does NOT cause a yeast infection!
What are the symptoms of vaginal yeast infections?
Symptoms include
- itching, irritation, and redness of the vulva and opening of the vagina
- painful intercourse
- a thick, white, odorless, vaginal discharge
- a white coating of the vagina
The only way to be sure you have a yeast infection is by making an appointment with a health care provider and having a swab of vaginal discharge looked at through a microscope. But, if you have had a yeast infection diagnosed before, you may be able to tell that you have a yeast infection if your symptoms are the same as with your previous infection.
What can I do to help prevent a vaginal yeast infection?
You can help prevent a vaginal yeast infection by
- Keeping the area around the genitals as dry as possible.
- Washing your vulva regularly with mild soap and water.
- Rinsing well and dry thoroughly after washing.
- Letting towels dry between uses.
- Not sharing towels.
- Avoiding sitting around in a wet bathing suit.
What can I do to treat a vaginal yeast infection?
First, get a diagnosis of a yeast infection from a health care provider. 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.
Remember, there are vaginal infections besides yeast that share similar symptoms of itchiness, pain, and discharge. In fact, recent studies have found that many women misdiagnose their own vaginal yeast infections. If you use an over-the-counter treatment when you don't really have a yeast infection, you could be building a resistance to medication. That means the next time you have a real yeast infection, it may be much harder to get rid of! And — more importantly — the real problem is left ignored. That's why it's so important to be diagnosed by a health care provider.
Note: It's best to avoid vaginal intercourse while taking yeast infection medication. You might aggravate your symptoms or interfere with the treatment's effectiveness.
Can anyone take over-the-counter medication for a vaginal yeast infection?
Women are advised to read product labels carefully and consult a pharmacist if they have any questions. Pregnant women and women who are on blood-thinning medications should consult their health care provider before using any yeast infection medications.
Can men get yeast infections?
Yes, it's possible for men to have yeast infections. Men can develop an overgrowth of yeast if the normal conditions of his urethra are changed. Men with yeast infections may notice redness and irritation of the penis or scrotum. Although yeast infections are not contagious, contact with a partner may stimulate an overgrowth.
What if I have recurrent or chronic yeast infections?
Talk with your health care provider about finding the reason your yeast infections won't go away or keep coming back. Recurrent or chronic yeast infections may be caused by conditions like diabetes or HIV that weaken the immune system, incomplete treatment of previous infections, or repeated new irritations. |
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