Understanding Yeast infection

Vaginal yeast infection? Are you trying to play the name over and over again in your head to understand how and since when the vagina became a yeast factory? Are you imagining how gross it is eating snacks that were made with yeast because you think it was manufactured from the vagina? Are you wondering if this disease of the vagina is caused by the vagina coming in contact with yeast? Well, to cut all your doubts short, vaginal yeast infection is just a name given to vaginal infection and illness, plus yeast is not vaginal produce as you think.

Vaginal yeast infection is otherwise known as candidiasis.  It is a fungal infection caused by yeast (a kind of fungi) that makes the vaginal lining gets inflamed and irritated such that the vagina and the vulva begin to itch, with loads of discharge being produced in the process. Since this infection occurs in one of the most sexual parts of the body, most people believe it can be sexually transmitted and can be transferred from an infected person to their partner during sex. However, this is not correct. Surprisingly, a yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted infection because it also occurs in women who are not sexually active. It is an infection that can affect only women; this is why it is called a vaginal yeast infection. Though not sexually transmittable, the risk of developing this infection becomes high when sex becomes a regular activity in your life. It also occurs often when there is oral to genital contact during sex.

Studies show that at least 4 out of 5 women suffer yeast infection in their lifetime, with at least two episodes throughout their lives. On-the -counter drugs and self-medication can be administered for yeast infection, but when the episode becomes a constant reoccurring event, longer and stronger treatment therapy is administered.

Causes

• Vaginal yeast infection is caused by a fungus known as candida Albicans. Yeast infection that is caused by other forms of candida fungus asides from Albicans can be difficult to treat and would require aggressive treatment and therapy to cure them. Naturally, in the vagina, there is a mixture of yeast (not edible yeast) and bacteria, but there are a balance and regulation between them, such that no one outgrows the other to become excess and cause inflammation in the vagina. However, when the balance is disrupted, and the yeast outgrows other vaginal compounds, then yeast infection sets in. When the fungal causing infection eats deeper into the vaginal tissues, symptoms begin to appear.
• What causes the outgrowth of yeast in the vaginal could be one of the following;
• The use of antibiotics. Some antibiotics disrupt the balance of the mixture of compounds in the vagina. This is because the antibiotics kill all the bacteria in the body, including the ones that are meant to balance with the yeast to have a healthy vagina.
• Pregnancy can also be a cause of natural vaginal compound imbalance.
• Untreated diabetes
• Weak immune system
• Ingesting contraceptives and other medications that increase the estrogen levels.

Risk Factors

• The following are factors that can increase your risk of suffering from yeast infection include;

Usage of Antibiotics

Too many antibiotics can go as far as killing even the healthy vaginal bacteria. When the number of bacteria reduces, the yeast outgrows them in number, then symptoms of the infection begin to set in.

Increased Estrogen Levels

When the estrogen level in a woman becomes high, there is a high chance that she develops yeast infection. Pregnant women and women who take contraceptives that increase their estrogen levels are at more risk of developing a yeast infection.

Untreated Diabetes

When diabetes is left untreated over a long period of time and when blood sugar is not duly monitored and regulated, yeast infection sets in.

Impaired Immune System

Women with a weak immune system either as a result of an underlying illness or a particular medication could experience more episodes of yeast infection.

Symptoms

• The severity of yeast infection can range from moderate to mild. The following are the symptoms of yeast infection;
• Inflammation and burning sensation in the vagina when urinating or during sexual intercourse.
• Irritation and severe itching of the vagina and vulva.
• Swelling and redness of the vulva.
• Rashes in the vulva
• Vaginal discharge, different and more frequent than the normal one.
• Sometimes oddly watery and sometimes extra-thick vaginal discharge.

Complications

• When the itching leads to tears, sores, and cracks in your vagina, your yeast infection is on its way to complications.
• When the yeast infection reoccurs very often, and you have almost 5 cases of it in a year, the infection is becoming complicated and can no longer be treated at home.
• If your yeast infection is not caused by the common candida Albicans fungus, then symptoms become complicated.
• If you are pregnant, complications can ensue.
• It can very well get complicated if you have underlying health issues that must have weakened your immune system.

See the Doctor When…

• You are experiencing a yeast infection for the first time in your life.
• You are not certain if it is a yeast infection or something else.
• The symptoms are not eased even after the medications.
• Other symptoms set in even after self-medication

Prevention

• Wear panties that are cotton made and are not too tight
• Avoid very hot baths.
• Applying deodorants to the vagina should be stopped.
• Unnecessary usage of antibiotics
• Making use of wet underwear for a long period of time

Treatment

Over-the-counter Medications

Some of the over-the-counter medications come in different forms and types, but majorly in the forms of ointments and creams. Follow the instruction of whichever one you buy for your yeast infection to enjoy the optimum treatment. These over the counter medications are more effective in the treatment of mild yeast infection symptoms.

Home Remedies

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is simply a natural oil that has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. This is why it is the best natural remedy for yeast infection. Rubbing a suppository with tea tree oil and inserting it into your vagina can help ease symptoms. This way, it can save the good vagina bacteria and eliminate the yeast infection fungus. However, using undiluted tea tree oil could cause more irritation for your vagina. In other words, tea tree oil should be diluted with milder essential oils to avoid irritation because the vagina is a sensitive part of the body.

Boric Acid

It is a fungal medication that is used when yeast infection refuses to get cured after the first attack of treatment with other antifungal chemicals. It contains antiseptic properties that make the elimination of yeast infection possible. It is said to be the best chemical remedy for vaginal yeast infection. Though it can be toxic when ingested orally and can be irritating when applied to open wounds, its treatment techniques are better than some other chemical remedies.

Yogurt

Yogurt even contains probiotics, which are good bacteria for the vagina. Ingesting yogurt or probiotics supplements can help balance the bacteria-yeast mixture in the vagina. It prevents either of them from outgrowing the other. Studies hold that eating yogurt regularly would help prevent you from bacterial infection, including yeast infection.

Garlic

Garlic is not only a kitchen and food spice; it is also a natural antibiotic that kills the fungi that cause a yeast infection. It contains antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties that make this possible. Garlic should not be inserted into the vagina, it can be blended and added to your smoothie and foods, or it can be chewed raw.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is a healthy cooking and skin oil that can be inserted into the vagina to treat the irritation, inflammation, and burning sensation associated with a yeast infection.

It is also really important to always ensure that your hands are clean before applying these oils and medications to the vagina because the vagina is a sensitive part of the body and should be handled with sheer caution and care.

So,

In conclusion, yeast infection is a fungal non-sexually transmittable infection that is common among women. It comes with great discomfort, which includes irritation, inflammation, and burning sensation in the vagina. It makes sexual intercourse and passing of urine a painful process. Some natural remedies and health precautions have been put together to help ease the symptoms and cure the infection. It is advisable to speak with the Doctor when symptoms worsen.

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