At some point in their lives, roughly 75% of women and people assigned female at birth will experience a yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis. These infections are caused by an overgrowth of candida, a particular type of yeast. Candida normally lives in the body and is kept under control by other bacteria. When it is in balance, it causes no problems. However, as many people can attest when the yeast gets out of balance, it can grow rapidly and cause an infection.
What are the symptoms of yeast infections?
The symptoms of yeast infections include itchiness, redness, or burning of the vulva (i.e. the outer parts of the vagina). This burning can worsen when you urinate or have sexual intercourse. This discomfort usually leads to vaginal discharge. This discharge may be thick and lumpy but it normally doesn’t have a distinct smell to it. A person may also experience minor cuts or tiny cracks in the vaginal skin.
It is important to keep in mind that although yeast infections most commonly occur in the vagina, they can happen in any warm, moist parts of the body including your mouth and throat.
What causes a yeast infection?
First off, yeast infections are not sexually transmitted infections. Instead, they are caused by a variety of factors that make it so that the good bacteria in the body can no longer control the yeast. Yeast infections are most common after puberty and before menopause.
The likelihood of getting a yeast infection increases if someone is taking antibiotics, birth control pills, and steroids. They can also increase if someone is pregnant due to hormonal changes or has a weak immune system or unmanaged diabetes. In addition, there are lifestyle risks that can lead to an increase in yeast infections such as sitting in a wet bathing suit, wearing sweaty clothes, or using scented tampons or vaginal deodorant.
How do you diagnose and treat a yeast infection?
Yeast infections are very common and easy to treat. Healthcare providers can diagnose yeast infections by taking a sample of discharge from the vagina or other areas that show symptoms of an infection. This sample, combined with existing symptoms, is usually enough to confirm a diagnosis.
Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medications taken orally or applied topically and usually clear up within a few days. Like with all medications, it is important to take them as instructed by your healthcare provider to ensure that the infection is fully resolved and won’t return. It is also important not to have sex during this time as this can cause more irritation. Antifungal medications may also cause barrier protection such as condoms and diaphragms to weaken.
How can you prevent yeast infections?
While it is impossible to prevent yeast infections entirely, there are certain lifestyle changes that you can make that will reduce the risk of them. One of the easiest is to always make sure that you change out of wet clothing and bathing suits as soon as possible. You should also wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing, and avoid using scented tampons, douches, and feminine deodorants.
Need help?
If you are experiencing symptoms of a yeast infection, give us a call to set up a consultation. One of our experienced staff members will be happy to help.
