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May 19, 2019 Dr Zulfikar Bux, Features / Columnists
By Dr Zulfikar Bux
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Yeast infections are so common that every 3 out of 4 of women will have one in their lifetime. Half of all women have more than one infection in their lifetime. They are caused by a fungus called Candida which live in small numbers on the skin and inside the vagina. The acidic environment of the vagina helps keep yeast from growing. If the vagina becomes less acidic, too many yeast can grow and cause a vaginal infection. Today we will explain how vaginal yeast infections start and what steps you can take to prevent them.
SYMPTOMS OF A YEAST INFECTION
Yeast infections can be very uncomfortable, but are usually not serious. Symptoms include the following:
• Itching and burning in the vagina and around the vulva (the skin that surrounds your vagina)
• A white vaginal discharge that may look like cottage cheese
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Swelling of the vulva
WHAT CAUSES YEAST INFECTIONS?
The acidic balance of the vagina can be changed by a number of factors, including:
• your period
• pregnancy
• diabetes
• douche products
• some antibiotics
• birth control pills
• steroids.
Moisture and irritation of the vagina also seem to encourage yeast to grow.
HOW ARE YEAST INFECTIONS DIAGNOSED?
If you have symptoms of a yeast infection, your doctor will probably want to talk to you about your symptoms and examine you to make sure a yeast infection is the cause.
CAN YEAST INFECTIONS BE PREVENTED OR AVOIDED?
Here are some things you can do to help prevent another yeast infection:
• Don’t wear tight-fitting clothing or clothing made out of synthetic material.
• Wear cotton underwear
• Don’t wear pantyhose daily.
• Ensure your genital area is properly dried after you bathe.
• Change out of wet swimsuits or other damp clothes as soon as you can.
• Don’t douche or use feminine hygiene sprays, deodorant sanitary pads, or tampons.
• Also avoid using coloured or perfumed toilet paper. These items seem to affect the balance of acidity in the vagina and can lead to yeast infections.
HOW ARE YEAST INFECTIONS TREATED?
Yeast infections are usually treated with medicine that you put into your vagina. This medicine may be a cream that you insert in your vagina with a special applicator. The medicine may be a suppository that you put into your vagina and allow 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.
IS YOUR SEX PARTNER AT RISK?
Although it is rare, you can transmit a yeast infection to your partner through sexual intercourse. If your partner begins to develop symptoms of a yeast infection, talk to a doctor about treatment options.
LIVING WITH YEAST INFECTIONS
Some women (about 5%) have recurrent yeast infections. This means they get more than 4 vaginal yeast infections in a year. This condition is called recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. If you have more than a few yeast infections each year, you should talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe a treatment that can help prevent your recurring yeast infections.
SHOULD YOU SEE YOUR DOCTOR EVERY TIME YOU HAVE A YEAST INFECTION?
Be sure to see your doctor the first time you have symptoms of a yeast infection. It’s very important to make sure you have a yeast infection and not another more serious infection. The symptoms of a yeast infection are also the symptoms of other infections, such as some sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Treating yourself for a yeast infection when you actually have another type of infection may make the problem much worse.
If you have often been diagnosed with yeast infections over the years, talk to your doctor about using a medicine you can buy without a prescription to relieve your symptoms and treat the infection.
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