Female Yeast Infections- What Are They And What Can You Do About Them?

While most women don't openly talk about yeast infections, that doesn't mean they don't get them. More women than not will get a yeast infection at some point in their lives. The good news is that they're relatively easy to diagnose and treat.

These yeast infections are also called vaginal candidiasis. They are caused by a yeast called Candida, and most often a subtype of Candida called Candida albicans. Candida only causes infection when it transforms into it's more infective mold form, which leads it to overgrow and invade healthy tissues.

The symtoms of a yeast infection are probably familiar to you. The itchiness is usually the most bothersome symptom, and the vaginal area may appear red and swollen. Many women will also have an unusual discharge that is thicker than it generally is. The entire area can be so irritated that you can have pain with sex or with urination. (Make sure not to confuse this with a urinary tract infection, though, which can also cause pain with urination).

You may fall into the camp of being all-too knowledgeable about these symptoms because you've experienced them so many times before. If you're having your first yeast infection, or you're having symptoms different than what you've experienced before, make sure to get checked out by your doctor. Many women who think they have a yeast infection actually have something else going on. So make sure to get a proper diagnosis, so you know you're treating the right thing!

Many women are concerned that yeast infections are sexually transmitted, which is not the case. While most women get yeast infections spontaneously, and not from sexual activity, it is still possible to spread the infection to your parter from sexual intercourse. Therefore, it's best to abstain from sex while you are undergoing treatment.

While yeast infections can be annoying and frustrating, they are commonly easy to treat. Many of these options can be purchased without a prescription from any drugstore or pharmacy. These medicines, such as Monistat and Gyne-Lotrimin, come as both topical creams and suppositories that are put into the vagina. Most of these remedies need to be used for three days, but there are some versions, such as Monistat 1, which can treat most yeast infections with a single dose.

Another option, which many women prefer for its added convenience, is to get a prescription for Diflucan from your physician, which is a pill taken by mouth. This wonder pill can do the trick and get rid of your yeast infection with only a single dose.

If you suffer from chronic yeast infections, you've probably found that these treatments aren't enough, and that your infection returns after you stop using them. In that case, you may need to take a more whole-body approach. It's likely that there's a reason why your body is predisposed to Candida overgrowth. Certain medications, like antibiotics, hormonal birth control and steroids can tip your internal balance in favor of Candida. Medical problems that cause a weak immune system, or diabetes in particular, can be a big risk factor for yeast infections.

Even if your overall health is good, subtle factors like proper nutrition, sleep and intake of alcohol or other toxins can have a big effect. Diet, in particular, is an important factor - foods that are high in sugar actually feed yeast, and can make your infection much worse!

Work to minimize your risk factors so that your body is no longer predisposed to this type of infection.

By: Isabel Hayes

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