Whilst it is not a very pleasant topic of conversation, most women will have to deal with vaginal yeast infections at some point in their lives. In fact, 90% of the world’s female population will have a yeast infection at least once, and 40% will have them multiple times (also known as recurring yeast infections).
Fortunately, dealing with a yeast infection is fairly easy and straight forward. The first step in ridding yourself of this problem would be to identify if you are indeed suffering from it.
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What Are Some Symptoms Of Vaginal Yeast Infections
A yeast infection occurs when a fungus called Candida albicans begins to grow too rapidly in the vagina. While it is quite normal to have this organism growing in your body, it is usually only allowed to exist in very small numbers. Together with several types of healthy bacterium, your immune system eliminates Candida albicans before it grows out of control. Below you will find a list of symptoms that can help you to identify whether or not you might actually have a yeast infection:
- Vaginal discharge – While it is normal to have some discharge come from your vagina, this liquid will be thick and white, almost like cheese.
- Itching and burning – A common symptom of a yeast infection is an itching or burning sensation on the labia and inside of the vagina.
- Pain – If left untreated, a yeast infection can lead to pain. This is especially true during intercourse and urination.
- Redness and swelling – You may also notice that your labia and vulva might start to swell and become red due to irritation.
Though these symptoms might be a sign of another problem, there is a good chance that you could have developed a yeast infection.
What Causes Yeast Infections
If you are wondering why it is that you developed this embarrassing problem, you might want to learn about the causes. Knowing the causes of a yeast infection can also help you to avoid getting them in the future.
- Antibiotics – taking antibiotics can greatly increase your chances of developing a yeast infection because they distort the balance of germs and bacteria in the vagina.
- Pregnancy – Pregnant women are also much more susceptible to getting this type of fungal infection. When you are pregnant, the natural hormone changes can effect the levels of good bacteria in your vagina. These good bacterium are largely responsible for killing off unwanted fungus.
- Diabetes – Diabetics are also more likely to have yeast infections. This is due to the fact that their bodies are unable to properly regulate sugar.
How To Treat Yeast Infections
This type of health issue can usually easily be treated with the proper medications. Whether you took a home test or got the results from your doctor, the problem should clear up shortly after you begin the treatment.
There are many options when it comes to treating a yeast infection:
- Lotrimin – This medication can be purchased at any drug store and comes in a cream, spray or powder.
- Monistat – Monistat is one of the most highly recommended over the counter yeast infection treatments. There are a variety of options when it comes to purchasing Monistat, so make sure you read the labels properly.
- Other anti-fungal creams – Your doctor may recommend a prescription anti-fungal cream. This is a matter of preference. In some cases a higher does may be needed.
Facts About Vaginal Yeast Infections
Though most yeast infections can easily be treated from home, if your symptoms persist or worsen, you will want to seek medical attention immediately. Leaving a yeast infection untreated will complicate matters. This could lead to more serious health issues, such as, bacterial infections and urinary tract infections. But do keep in mind that there are cases of women using over-the-counter yeast infection medications like Monistat, but it worsens their condition and their yeast infections kept recurring over and over again.
If you’re looking for alternative holistic ways to get rid of vaginal yeast infections fast and for once and for all, you can check out Linda Allen’s Yeast Infection No More program. Make sure you take care of this problem as soon as you are made aware of it.