What is Candida Yeast?

When you have a vaginal yeast infection, it is most commonly caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans. Yeast is always present in the vagina, but can sometimes grow too much and turn into a yeast infection. Recurrent yeast infections are caused by a different type of yeast and are more resistant to treatment than Candida yeast infections.

Symptoms of a Vaginal Yeast Infection

If you have a vaginal yeast infection, common symptoms include itching in and around the vagina, vaginal discharge, pain in and around the vagina, especially while urinating or having sex, irritated or red skin around the vaginal opening.

Common Causes of a Yeast Infection

• Some antibiotics
• Having diabetes
• High estrogen levels- usually during pregnancy or while on birth control
• A weakened immune system
• Stress
• Wearing tight fitting pants, pantyhose, and underwear for a prolonged period of time, or not changing out of a wet bathing suit
• Having certain risk factors for STD”s: Unprotected sex, More than one partner or Having a high risk partner.

Treatment of Yeast Infections

There are many ways to treat a vaginal yeast infection. Often, it will clear up on its own, especially when you menstruate. Your doctor can give you a prescription for a pill or vaginal suppository along with a cream to alleviate the itching. There are also over the counter remedies. Natural remedies include probiotic pills or vaginal suppositories, boric acid or tea tree oil.

Preventing Vaginal Yeast Infections

Avoid tight clothing and wear cotton as much as possible. Be sure to change out of a wet swim suit as soon as possible.

Don’t use antibiotics excessively. If your illness can be cured without antibiotics, try to go without.

Avoid using douches, feminine sprays, powders or fragrance sanitary products.

After using the restroom, wipe front to back to avoid spreading bacteria.

Practice safe sex. Multiple partners and unprotected sex can increase your risk of yeast infections. Try to urinate after intercourse to flush out any bacteria.

It’s important to know that men can get yeast infections through unprotected sex with a partner who has a yeast infection. If the infections go untreated, they will continue to re-infect each other. Men will get genital itching, but no discharge.

Learn more about Candida Albicans and Yeast Infections here.