What is a vaginal yeast infection? ...

What is a vaginal yeast infection?

Vaginal yeast infections usually are caused by dint of tiny yeast organisms that normally live in small numbers in succession your skin and inside your vagina. The acidity of the vagina helps withhold the yeast from growing. If the vagina becomes les acidic, too many yeast can advance This causes a vaginal infection.

The acidic balance of the vagina can be changed according to your menstrual period, pregnancy, diabetes, a antibiotics, birth control pills, and steroids. Sexual activity and irritation of the vagina also be seen to encourage yeast to grow

in what way do I know if I have a yeast infection?

Yeast infections can be self-same uncomfortable, but they usually are not serious. Symptoms include the following:

* Itching and burning in the vagina and around the vulva (the skin that invests your vagina)

* A thick, white discharge that anticipates like cottage cheese

* Pain during sexual intercourse

* Swelling of the vulva

Yeast infections are in this way common that three out of four women will have united at some time in their lives. single half of all women have more than united infection in their lives. If you have the symptoms of a yeast infection, your doctor will probably want to talk to you about your symptoms and examine you to descry if you have a yeast infection.

for what reason are these infections treated?

Yeast infections usually are treated with medicine that you bring into your vagina. This medicine may be a cream or a suppository that you offer into your vagina with a special applicator. Medicine in a cream form also can be present on your vulva to help stop the itching. Medicine in a pill form that you take by dint of mouth is also available.

Should I papal court my doctor every time I have a yeast infection?

You should behold your doctor the first time you have symptoms of a yeast infection. It is same important to make sure that you really have a yeast infection before you start taking medicine for it. The symptoms of a yeast infection also can be symptoms of other infections, including one sexually transmitted diseases. Treating yourself for a yeast infection when you actually have another kind of infection may make your point in dispute worse. It is important to view your doctor when you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, and you have symptoms of a yeast infection. If you have had many yeast infections, talk to your doctor about using a medicine you can purchase without a prescription.

in what manner can I keep from getting another infection?

Here are a certain number of things you can do to help obstruct another yeast infection:

* Do not wear tight-fitting or synthetic-fiber clothes.

* Wear cotton underwear.

* Wipe from impudence to back after using the toilet. This may help retain the bacteria that normally live in your rectum from getting into your vagina.

* Do not douche or use feminine hygiene sprays.

* Avoid deodorant sanitary pads or tampons, or false show bath, and avoid using colored or perfum toilet paper.

* If you acquire many yeast infections, your doctor may commend you use medicines regularly for a hardly any months to prevent more yeast infections.

Does my sex partner ne to be treated? No. Your sex partner usually does not ne to be treated if you have a yeast infection.

COPYRIGHT 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group