Things You Have To Know About Vaginal Yeast Infection
Vaginal yeast infection is one of the more prominent diseases that affect many women around the world. The infection referred to as candidiasis by health professionals, is triggered when
Things You Have To Know About Vaginal Yeast Infection
Vaginal yeast infection is one of the more prominent diseases that affect many women around the world. The infection referred to as candidiasis by health professionals, is triggered when there is over-population of yeast in the genital area. According to statistics, around 92% of these cases were caused by the yeast specie called candida albicans while the remaining 8% was infected by other forms of candida.
Yeast can be found all over the body, as they usually thrive in warm and moist places such as the vagina and mouth. Around20-50% of healthy women are not aware about the presence of yeast in their vaginal area due to the absence of symptoms. An infected person may experience itching, irritation, foul-smelling discharge, and vaginal inflammation.
Causes Of Vaginal Yeast Infection
A female genital part accommodates certain types of bacteria. These living organisms protect the vagina from bacteria and fungi that can cause infection. But there are factors that strip away these good bacteria and create havoc in the vagina’s immune system. Weak defense systems can strengthen the bad organisms, making them multiply and lead to vaginal yeast infection.
Patients who are in antibiotic therapy are prone to vaginal yeast infection. An intravaginal and systematic antibiotic that is used to treat other bacteria-induced infection may be taken orally or inserted in the vagina. These antibiotics may also kill good bacteria present in the genital area during application. Thrush formation is one of the risk factors in taking any antibiotics, but in order to develop candidiasis, candida specie must be present in the affected area.
Corticosteroids are used to treat a wide variety of diseases from asthma, allergic reactions, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatitis, dermatitis, and arthritis or joint pain. It is also used in replacement therapies to deal with congenital adrenal hyperplasia and adrenal insufficiency. But taking corticosteroids also have adverse effects in someone’s health including), hypokalemia (insufficient potassium levels in the blood), hypertension (high-blood pressure) and hypermatremia (high blood sodium levels). People taking corticosteroids may also experience ulcer formation and poor healing of wounds due to low immune system which makes them more prone to infections like vaginal yeast infection.
Certain events in women’s life like pregnancy make a huge impact not only to their bodies but to their hormones as well. Pregnancy, menopause, the use of birth control pills, ovulation, and even hormone therapy may cause vaginal yeast infection. The sudden change of hormonal levels like estrogen makes them more susceptible in thrush formation and infection. During pregnancy, recurring vaginal yeast infection is very common.
Other Factors That Contribute To Vaginal Yeast
Aside from the factors mentioned above, lifestyle can also trigger yeast infection. A little bit of knowledge about how women get yeast infections and some lifestyle adjustments can make a person free from vaginal yeast infection.
A simple wound left untreated is prone to any infection. If a thrush, scarring or wound is found in the genital area, it is best to visit your trusted gynecologist and ask for treatments immediately. Do not self-medicate, as this may worsen the condition. According to studies, women who tried to treat themselves with over-the-counter medicines without seeking professional help ended up with worst conditions. Vaginal yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis, have similar symptoms like itching; the main reason why many women who make self-diagnosis mistaken the symptoms as yeast infection. Also, a good hygiene may also prevent infection.
Good hygiene is one way of preventing vaginal yeast infection. But if not taken properly and overdoing it may produce unlikely results. Many commercially-available hygiene products are not suitable for vaginal use. Soaps, perfumed feminine wash and sprays may give pleasant smell down there but it strips away the good bacteria that keep the balance in the genital area. The absence of these organisms may promote fungus overgrowth a