What is a Vaginal Yeast Infection? Symptoms, Causes,Treatment, and Prevention Methods.

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

A vaginal yeast infection is an infection that may result from the overweight of yeast. However, it is also called candidal vaginitis or vaginal candidiasis; Candida albicans most commonly cause yeast infections. Moreover, vaginal yeast infection affects up to 3 out of 4 women at some point in their life. However, Candida albicans is easily treated with antifungal medication. If symptoms persist for more than a week, check with your health consultant to rule out a more severe condition.

Signs and symptoms of vaginal yeast infections

However, the most common signs and symptoms of mild vaginal yeast infections may include:-

  • Vaginal itching
  • Vaginal soreness
  • Felling pain or discomfort during intercourse or when urinating
  • Clumpy vaginal discharge (like cottage cheese), possibly smelling like yeast or bread
  • Watery vaginal discharge

Causes and risk factors of vaginal yeast infection

Fungi of the genus like candida typically live on the skin and inside the body (mouth, throat, gut, and vagina) without causing health problems. Research suggests that about 20 percent of women have candida problem in the vagina that doesn’t cause infection.

Many species of candida, at least 15, are known to cause infections if they multiply out of control. Candida causes a yeast infection when something throws off the balance of microorganisms that live in and on your body, including:-

  • Pregnancy
  • Certain kinds of medication, such as contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, or vaginal rings), antibiotics, and steroids
  • Immune-suppressing diseases like HIV
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Lack of sleep and stress problems, which can weaken the immune system

Additionally, your lifestyle habits may also promote the growth of candida, including:-

  • Being sexually active
  • Eating a diet high in sugar (diabetes)
  • Douching
  • Other contraceptive use, such as vaginal sponges, diaphragms, and intrauterine devices (IUDs)
  • Poorly maintaining .vaginal hygiene.

However, wearing clothing that keeps the vaginal parts warm and moist, like synthetic underwear, pajama bottoms, and tight jeans or spandex.

Diagnosis of a vaginal yeast infection

To diagnose a yeast infection, your health consultant will ask you about your signs and medical history, perform a pelvic exam, and take a sample of vaginal discharge. A lab technician will test the release to determine if there is an overgrowth of candida.

Your health consultant will make a diagnosis based on all the findings. A positive fungal culture alone does not mean you have a yeast infection because most women can have candida in their vaginas without showing symptoms.

Treatment and medication options for a vaginal yeast infection

However, vaginal yeast infections are medicated with over-the-counter or prescription antifungal creams, ointments, tablets, or oral medications. You will need to take the medication options for 1 to 7 days, depending on which drug you use.

Medications options:-

However, some medications options may include:-

  • Monistat (miconazole)
  • Gyne-Lotrimin (clotrimazole)
  • Vagistat (tioconazole)
  • Gynazole (butoconazole)
  • Terazole (terconazole)
  • Diflucan (fluconazole), a prescription single-dose pill

However, if you have recurring yeast infections, you may require multiple doses of fluconazole in the first week, followed by at least six months of maintenance therapy.

Alternative and complementary therapy

However, most women wonder what else they can do to deal with yeast infections. Despite the effectiveness of over-the-counter products and prescribed medication for vaginal yeast infections, few women prefer to treat their ailments with natural or home remedies. Some home remedies therapies for vaginal yeast infections may include:-

  • Probiotics (oral and intravaginal)
  • Boric acid (suppository gelatin capsules)
  • Vinegar (vaginal irritation)
  • Povidone-iodine (topical solution, ointments, and vaginal suppositories)
  • Garlic pills
  • Tea tree oil
  • Propolis (vaginal cream)
  • Sodium carbonate for bath or vaginal irritation
  • Dietary changes to decrease sugar intake, including dairy products

However, the effectiveness of home remedies for treating, medicating, and preventing vaginal yeast infections is not very well known or understood.

Last Updated on July 28, 2023 by john liam