Vaginal yeast: causes and treatments

According to scientific studies, it is believed that every woman will contract a vaginal yeast infection at least once during her life. Candida albicans is the name of the most common vaginal fungus and the one responsible for producing vaginal candidiasis. This fungus lives in the body and usually rarely shows any symptoms. However, when its reproduction increases, it usually causes candidiasis.

The vagina, being a humid and high-temperature area, is prone to the proliferation of fungi since they usually look for mucous areas such as the mouth, nose, anus, and vagina to reproduce. Some women are more prone to getting infections. If you want to know more about vaginal yeast infections, causes, and treatments, in this FastlyHealarticle, you will find everything you need to know.

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection

Most of the fungi live in balance in the vagina. Only when their reproduction increases that an alteration of the bacteria form, and the infection appears. Although many vaginal yeast infections have no symptoms when the condition is in its advanced stage, a woman may experience:

• Abnormal discharge, usually white and watery.
• Burning or itching of the lips or vagina.
• Pain when having sex.
• They were burning when urinating.
• Redness of the skin of the vulva.
• There may be a fever when the infection is not treated and spreads to other organs.

Causes of vaginal yeast

As we mentioned earlier, vaginal fungi inhabit the vagina because they are inside the body. However, some situations can promote an alteration in their proliferation and thus cause an infection. Some of the more common causes of a vaginal yeast infection include the following:

• Stress: anxiety, excessive worry, and chronic stress can cause alterations in any part of the body, and in the case of women, the sexual organ is no exception. Women who suffer from anxiety are often more prone to infections than those who manage their emotions better.
• Menstruation: an essential hormonal fluctuation process that occurs during the menstrual cycle. Due to this production of hormones, women are more prone to vaginal infections in the days before menstruation.
• Underwear: any intimate garment that is worn too tightly can also be the cause of a vaginal yeast infection. Likewise, fabrics such as nylon or lycra favor the proliferation of fungi since their synthetic texture tends to humidity and heat: an ideal environment for the reproduction of bacteria.
• Intimate products: the vagina must retain its bacterial balance, and, contrary to popular belief, douches are treatments that excessively alter the environment of the vagina, making women more prone to infections.
• Sexual intercourse: vaginal yeast infections are not sexually transmitted diseases. However, during the act, it can happen that anal and then vaginal stimulation transfer fungi from the anus to the vagina and cause an infection.
• Particular conditions like diabetes, pregnancy, and obesity make women prone to vaginal yeast infection.
• Medications: the prolonged consumption of antibiotics unbalances the bacterial environment of the vagina, producing alterations in the formation of fungi and “purifying” the vagina so that it is prone to be contaminated with any other microorganism.

Treatment of vaginal yeast

To treat a vaginal yeast infection, the main objective should be to eliminate the excess of microorganisms and return to the vagina its typical bacterial environment. To cure the condition and make everything return to normal, the woman must visit her trusted doctor, who will usually prescribe a cream or ointment to combat excess bacteria.

The infection can also be treated with ovules, a kind of soft capsule that the woman must insert into the vagina so that it melts and spreads inside. Thus, it balances the number of microorganisms and calms the symptoms of the infection. If the disease is not acute, the woman may need to take treatment for at least seven days; if the condition is severe, treatment may include antibiotics and take 14 days.

Prevention of vaginal yeast infection

If a woman is prone to vaginal yeast infections, the leading cause may be a lousy hygiene habit. Therefore, here are some tips to prevent constant contagion.

• Wear 100% cotton underwear.
• Avoid moisture in the intimate area by drying the vagina well after showering, avoiding being in a wet bathing suit for a long time, and washing the vagina immediately after having sex.
• Correctly do the treatment prescribed by the doctor, as a poorly cured infection can recur.
• Avoid using intimate soap, sanitary napkins, or panty liners with perfumes.
• Use antibiotics only when prescribed by a specialist.
• Avoid wearing jeans or tight underwear.

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Vaginal fungi: causes and treatments, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.