What is a yeast infection?
Candida albicans, and other forms of yeast, grow in the vagina,
rectum, and mouth. In a healthy vagina, the presence of some yeast
may not be a problem. When a woman's system is out of balance, yeast-like
organisms can grow profusely and cause a thick, white discharge.
A yeast infection is not necessarily an STI; however, treating a
woman and her sexual partner may help prevent recurrent yeast infections.
Is
it common?
Yeast infections are the second most common type of vaginal infection
women experience (bacterial vaginosis is the most common). Over
70% of women develop at least one yeast infection during their life
and over 40% of women have had more than one infection.
What
causes yeast infections?
Factors that may disturb the vagina's balance include:
Antibiotic
treatments
Oral
contraceptives
Hot
weather or non-ventilating clothing, which increase moisture and
warmth, fostering fungal growth
Repeated
intercourse over a short period of time
Stress
Suppressed
immune system (including HIV)
High
carbohydrate intake, especially refined sugars and alcohol
Pregnancy
Diabetes
Other
causes can be irritants such as soaps, powders, new detergents and
other products
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of a typical yeast infection may include:
Redness,
swelling, and/or cracking of the vulvar skin
Burning
sensation during urination
Itching
of the rectal opening
Pain
during sexual intercourse.
Can
men get yeast infections?
Yes, men can contract a yeast infection if they have unprotected
sexual activity with a partner who has a yeast infection. If both
partners are not treated, they can keep re-infecting each other.
Male sexual partners may develop genital irritation and genital
itching, especially if they are uncircumcised, but usually there
is no discharge. Sometimes, men can develop yeast infections without sexual activity with an infected partner. Prolonged antibiotic use can cause a yeast infection in the penis and men with diabetes or immune compromising conditions such as HIV are more susceptible to yeast infections.
How
is it diagnosed?
Yeast infections should be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional.
There are over-the-counter medications available for women who have
had professional guidance about how to recognize the symptoms. Otherwise,
it is necessary to meet with your medical provider because it's
easy to think you have a yeast infection when you may really have
a more serious infection or condition such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.
In fact, recent studies found that many women misdiagnose their
own yeast infections and use one of the over-the-counter treatments
when no yeast infection is actually present. Over time, a woman's
body may become drug-resistant to yeast infection medication, and
the real problem is never treated.
To diagnose
a yeast infection, your medical provider will perform a vaginal
exam. Samples of vaginal discharge are obtained for examination
under a microscope. If you have recurring infections, some of the
discharge may be cultured to see if yeast or another type of organism
is present.
How
is it treated?
Once your medical provider has confirmed that you have a yeast infection,
s/he will prescribe an antibiotic pill such as Diflucan, or an over-the-counter
cream or suppository such as GyneLotrimin or Monistat. These medications
vary from a single-dose treatment to a week-long series of treatments.
You can pick up your prescription, cream, or suppository treatment
in the pharmacy at Health Services.
If you
have a strong suspicion that you have a yeast infection because
of past experiences with yeast infections and there has been no
change in your sexual history (no new partner, no unprotected genital
contact), you may elect to try one of the over-the-counter yeast
treatments first. If your symptoms do not go away, you should then
see your medical provider for an exam.
Sexual
partners who have no symptoms of a yeast infection usually don't
need treatment. A partner (male or female) with symptoms should
see a provider for evaluation and concurrent treatment. While the
treatment is underway, a latex barrier during sex may prevent passing
the infection to a partner. HOWEVER, if you are using yeast creams
or suppositories, the ingredients may damage the latex of condoms,
diaphragms and dental dams. So, using a latex barrier is not recommended
with these treatments because the latex may break. To minimize the
risk of passing the infection to a partner and to speed healing,
it is generally recommended that you abstain from sexual activity
until all of your symptoms have resolved.
Is
there a way to prevent yeast infections?I
You can help prevent a vaginal yeast infection by doing the following:
If
you go swimming, get out of your swimsuit as soon as possible.
Don't
wear pads or panty-liners beyond the length of your period.
Don't
use deodorant tampons.
Avoid
feminine deodorant sprays and douches. They irritate the vulva
and vaginal areas.
Wipe
from front to back after urination and bowel movement.
Antibiotics
can also cause a yeast infection, since they kill or decrease
normal flora. If you need to take antibiotics, you can ask for
an anti-yeast prescription, or you can buy over-the-counter creams
or suppositories.
Avoid
tight-fitting clothing and wear cotton, rather than synthetic,
underwear.
Is
a yeast infection dangerous?
Yeast infections can cause severe discomfort but rarely cause serious
health problems. Left untreated, vaginal yeast infections often
clear up on their own, usually when menstruation begins. Menstrual
blood raises the vaginal pH, causing the number of yeast cells to
decrease because they can't grow in the pH present during menstruation.
Recurring
yeast infections may be difficult to prevent or cure. There are
significant differences between occasional, easily treatable yeast
infections and recurring infections that seriously affect a woman's
life. Women who have recurring yeast infections should be tested
for underlying causes so that the appropriate treatment can be chosen.
Links
you can use
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