Yeast Infection: What Every Woman Should Know

Yeast infection is defined as a fungus living in the vagina with increased numbers. Affecting over eighty-five percent (85%) of females throughout America, vaginal yeast infection is not considered life-threatening and easily cured. With yeast infection treatment options available from clinical to various yeast infection home remedy cures, yeast infection should not be taken lightly to prevent possible further, more serious medical conditions. Systematic in nature, not all women experience the same yeast infection situations of which should receive proper and immediate attention.

Symptoms

Symptoms of yeast infection vary from individual. The most common and prevalent symptoms of yeast infection include:

· Abdominal pain

· Recurrent of significant amounts of bloody discharge between periods

· Increased vaginal discharge persisting for two weeks or more despite treatment

· Exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV

· Recurrent yeast infection

· Thin, foamy, grey or yellowish green color of discharge

· Itching or soreness in the vagina

· Burning or painful discomfort during urination or sex

Yeast infection may affect either the mouth or genital area. Where recurrent or frequent yeast infection is noted, seeking the qualified advice and examination of a licensed gynecologist is strongly recommended.

Causes and Affects

According to recently conducted studies, the leading cause of vaginal yeast infection is the ingestion of antibiotics. The vast majority of women suffering from yeast infection experience difficulty with only a few antibiotics, where other reported cases induce yeast infection symptoms each time antibiotics are taken, regardless of the reason. Unfortunately, to date there remains no preventative measures eliminating antibiotic-induced yeast infection other than proper treatment upon conceptual differences noted. Other causes and effects include:

· Clothing. Yeast infection flourish in non-cotton, tight or dirty clothes that trap heat and moisture. Wearing loose, clean cotton fabric clothing greatly reduces yeast infection bacteria.

· Chemicals. Inks, dyes and perfumes can upset the balance of the vagina and trigger allergic reactions leading to yeast infection. Commercial douches have been linked to such an imbalance.

· Condoms. Condoms containing nonoxynol-9 have a known history of inducing yeast infection. Non-spermicidal lubricant condoms are recommended.

· Diet. Cutting down on yeast-containing foods greatly reduces the frequency of vaginal yeast infection.

· Hormones. Naturally-occurring and artificially introduced can result escalate the frequency of yeast infection. Females taking contraceptive pills often experience regular yeast infection as hormone levels fluctuate.

· Injury. Injury to the vulvar or vaginal membranes leads to yeast infection.

· Sexual transmission. Use of proper birth control condoms is of vital importance.

· Weakened immune system. Women with compromised immune systems due to HIV or other associated non-sexually transmitted diseases, weaken the immune system with frequent vaginal yeast infection outbreaks.

Although prevention is always a preferred method of yeast infection treatment, clinical tests have indicated that personal hygiene in combination with wearing the proper, loose fitting attire greatly reduces the frequency of vaginal yeast infection. With application of common sense practices in yeast infection treatment, vaginal yeast infection can be controlled with emphasis placed on what every woman should know.