Learn how to be free of vaginal yeast infections

Get Rid of Vaginal Yeast Infection

Pam was like any other young woman enjoying her days, when she noticed an unusual discharge in her underwear. This was accompanied by intense itching in the vaginal area. It did not take long for her physician to diagnose it as vaginal yeast infection. This non-sexually transmitted disease is common in seventy to eighty percent of women of childbearing age. Let’s see what are the sign and symptom of vaginal yeast infection and how you can combat it.

What is yeast infection?

Various strains of yeast occur naturally in your vagina in small amounts. However, the real cause of v aginal yeast infection is a fungus called Candida albicans (1).The acidic environment and a bacterium called Lactobacillus acidophilus, present in the vagina, keeps yeast from multiplying. In the event of vagina becoming less acidic or the bacterium getting depleted or destroyed, due to menstruation, pregnancy, diabetes, some antibiotics, birth control pills and steroids, yeast proliferate unchecked, giving rise to this infection.

Sometimes the very products you use to keep the vagina clean can also cause it. Wearing tight-fitting or synthetic clothing is another contributory factor, as it keeps your fundamentals and the area around moist, encouraging the yeast to grow. Even semen can upset the acidic balance making the vagina prone to this infection.

What are vaginal yeast infection symptoms?

The onset of vaginal yeast infection has some characteristic symptoms. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms to prevent its occurrence. Let’s find out what they are (3):

a. Abnormal vaginal discharge: This may range from a slightly watery, white discharge to a thick, white, chunky discharge, like cottage cheese. It’s usually odorless, although it might smell like bread or yeast (1).

b. Itching or burning: Vaginal itching is a tingling or uneasy irritation of the skin of the vagina and the surrounding area. The itching may cause a desire to scratch the affected area.

c. Redness and inflammation: This may occur on the external genital organs of the female, including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris and vestibule of the vagina.

d. Painful intercourse: Women can experience pain in the pelvic area during or soon after sexual intercourse.

e. Painful urination: Painful urination describes any pain, discomfort or burning sensation during urination.

Treatment for vaginal yeast infection

Before you opt for any kind of medication, get a proper diagnosis done, since sexually transmitted disease, like trichomoniasis, has similar symptoms. Your physician will perform a pelvic examination that may show inflammation of the skin of the vulva, within the vagina and on the cervix. This may reveal dry, white plaques on the vaginal wall (3).

Yeast infections are usually treated by applying medicine to the vagina. This medicine may be a cream, like miconazole or clotrimazolethat, you insert in your vagina with a special applicator or it may be a suppository that you put into your vagina and allow it to dissolve on its own. Medicine in a cream form can also be put on your vulva to help relieve itching. Medicine in a pill form that you take by mouth is also available (2).

All of these types of medication can clear up your symptoms in a couple of days and cure the infection within a week. It's important for you to take the prescribed medicine regularly. If you stop it too soon, the infection could recur (1).

You can also opt for natural cure for vaginal yeast infection. By daubing apple cider vinegar regularly on the genital area, you’ll be able to prevent the infection. However, use diluted vinegar. Another home remedy for vaginal yeast infection is yogurt. Apply it directly to your vagina or place a yogurt-soaked tampon in the infected region to get rid of the infection. Yogurt contains live acidophilus bacteria that destroy yeast.

Vaginal yeast infection is nothing serious. Take steps to prevent it, but if you do get afflicted, take your physician into confidence before resorting to any vaginal yeast infection cure.

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