Vaginal Yeast Infections - Treatment Options

The vaginal yeast infection is caused by the addition of Candida Albicans, a type of yeast found in the vagina. These organisms are usually found in small quantities in the vagina, mouth, digestive tract and skin. Women of all ages can have this condition. During a lifetime, 75% of all women may have at least one vaginal yeast infection, and up to 45% have two or more.

This type of infection can be confused with other conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, non-communicable vaginitis and trichomoniasis. Of these three conditions, trichomoniasis is the only one considered to be a sexually transmitted disease.

Women tend to be more prone to infection if their body is under stress due to a poor diet, sickness, lack of sleep and when they take antibiotics or corticosteroids. Other common triggers include pregnancy, diabetes, steroids, birth control pills, pH imbalance, and obesity.

They can also result from injuries to the internal vagina, such as after chemotherapy. In addition, women who have a suppressed immune system (for example, taking cortisone-related drugs such as prednisone) will develop vaginal yeast infections (yeast vaginitis) more often than women with normal immunity.

Symptoms

Symptoms include redness, burning, itching and irritation of the vagina. Vaginal swelling may occur in severe cases and this swelling may make the urine more painful and frequent. Occasionally there is a yellow-green floral discharge from the vagina which may have a bad odor but not always.

Treatment

Treatment for Vaginal Yeast Infection.

Unfortunately, this condition is common but easily treatable in most women, but it is more frequent and more difficult to treat in women with HIV. Treatment for yeast infections includes prescription and over-the-counter medications. Pills taken orally, require prescription. The length of treatment varies depending on the vagina drug you are using. One day treatment is stronger and easier.

If you are pregnant, do not use antifungal pills that you take with your mouth.

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