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VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION

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VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION

Hey ladies! At some point in your life, you may have noticed like something is not right in your V-part. Well, some of you may have experienced this and already know that it is not that of a big deal. But for the ones with a new experience of this condition, hesitating to talk about it with anyone, I would be clarifying it in detail.

So here is your guide for Vaginal Yeast Infection.

WHAT IS VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION?

A vaginal yeast infection is yeast or also perceived as a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. It is also commonly termed as Candidiasis (after the name of the fungus).

HOW DOES VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION OCCUR?

Candida albicans is a fungus that originally resides in vagina and together with bacteria that grow with the help of hormone estrogen; it makes the healthy fauna of vaginal micro biome by balancing the pH of vagina.

Does that mean women are always having this vaginal yeast infection?

NO! When candida albicans starts growing excessively in vagina, it leads to the disruption of the natural balance in vagina; which then causes this condition that we call vaginal yeast infection.

It can also manifest itself on the labia if not controlled.

INCIDENCE OF VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION

3 in 4 women have yeast infection in their life. Moreover, half of them have recurrent episodes of yeast infection.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION?

  • Repeatedly rinsing and douching of vagina with soap
  • Hormonal dysfunction
  • Contraceptive
  • Pregnancy
  • Use of antibiotics
  • Stress
  • Diabetes
  • Decreased immunity

NOTE – Some people believe that vaginal yeast infection is a sexually transmitted disease. However, it is not. It can spread through the sexual intercourse though but it also occurs in sexually inactive women.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION?

Generally, candidiasis can be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Following are the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection:

  • Itching in and around the vagina
  • Burning pain
  • Pain during urination
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Flakey discharge
  • Redness and swelling of the vaginal wall and labia

HOW IS VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION DIAGNOSED?

The diagnosis part is easy. If your doctor suspects an yeast infection after doing a physical examination, he will ask the patient some basic questions of her medical history that includes if it is first time of getting an infection or it reoccurs after some time or if the patient ever had a sexually transmitted infection, etc.

Your general practitioner can perform an internal exam. A little bit of vaginal discharge is removed from the vagina and then examined under the microscope.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR VAGINAL YEAST INFECTION?

Vaginal yeast infection can be treated well and easily with medication. It is determined according to the patient’s condition and severity of the infection.

  • Antifungal tablet
  • Vaginal pill or suppository
  • Vaginal cream
NOTE-
  • Vaginal yeast infection usually disappears after 2-3 days of treatment.
  • Do not have sexual intercourse during the infection.