A lot of women suffer from vaginal yeast infections each year. A yeast infection is caused by a fungus known as Candida Albicans which is quite "yeast-like". The exact cause for a yeast infection remains unknown but there are several risk factors that can lead to this vaginal infection and having an understanding of a yeast infection and the various treatment options will allow provide you with the tools needed for saying goodbye to vaginal yeast infections.
The fungus known as Candida albicans is the main cause of vaginal yeast infection. This fungus grows naturally in various areas of the body especially moist and warm areas such as the vagina, mouth, skin folds, etc. As mentioned previously, there isn't a known reason for why this fungus overgrows in certain areas including the vagina leading to a yeast infection.
Good bacteria is present in various areas of the body including the vagina which help to regulate the growth of candida albicans. If this good bacteria dies or malfunctions for various reasons such as antibiotic use or an otherwise weakened immune system, the candida albicans may overgrow leading to a yeast infection.
Vaginal Yeast Infection Causes or Risk Factors
Although the main cause for vaginal yeast infection also known as Candidiasis remains unknown, certain factors may increase the risk of a woman developing candidiasis because they usually change the internal environment of the vagina and its pH levels. The main factors are;
a. antibiotic use
b. steroids
Menstruation, the presence of semen, diabetes, pregnancy, birth control, vaginal douching or sprays can also increase the risk of developing candidiasis. Post menopausal women commonly suffer from candidiasis as well.
Vaginal Yeast Infection Symptoms
Although some women can display no symptoms at all as mentioned previously, the common symptoms related to this condition include an excessive vaginal discharge that is cheesy white and usually heavy. It has been described as having a cottage cheese texture. It may smell somewhat like beer or bread.
Other candidiasis symptoms include burning, itching, soreness, pain or discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse, etc.
Candidiasis Diagnosis
It is important to note that the above mentioned symptoms may be similar or the same as other vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis and only a doctor can determine conclusively whether you are suffering from a vaginal infection resulting from candida albicans. Candidiasis is one of the top three vaginal infections that are experienced by women each year.
A doctor will usually extract come of the vaginal discharge that will then be inspected under a microscope to determine whether there is a presence of candida albicans. Other methods can also be used to pinpoint the vaginal infection and start treatment.
It is important to start treatment immediately because although there are no health risks related to candidiasis, it can lead to other conditions such as infertility.
Traditional Treatment for Candidiasis
Oral or topical medications including antibiotics are usually prescribed for the treatment of candidiasis. Topical creams that are applied around or in the vagina include but are not limited to butoconazole (Femstat 3), muconazole (Monistat), etc. Oral antibiotics that can be prescribed include fluconazole (Diflucan). Pregnant women are usually given the topical creams to treat this type of vaginal infection resulting from candida.
Natural Remedies for Candidiasis
The traditional medications that are usually prescribed for candidiasis can lead to various side effects that are unpleasant. These medications can also be expensive. Traditional medicine also only seeks to treat the symptoms of the vaginal infection and does not address the root cause of the candidiasis which leads to recurrence usually in the year following treatment. Natural or holistic methods seek to not only treat the symptoms of candidiasis, but also seek to treat the root so that you can say goodbye to vaginal yeast infections.
Natural remedies seek to implement a diet and lifestyle change in addition to various herbs and vitamins that are used. The remedies use ingredients that are available easily locally if they are not already present in your kitchen or home. Natural remedies seek to work with your body and not against it.
The fungus known as Candida albicans is the main cause of vaginal yeast infection. This fungus grows naturally in various areas of the body especially moist and warm areas such as the vagina, mouth, skin folds, etc. As mentioned previously, there isn't a known reason for why this fungus overgrows in certain areas including the vagina leading to a yeast infection.
Good bacteria is present in various areas of the body including the vagina which help to regulate the growth of candida albicans. If this good bacteria dies or malfunctions for various reasons such as antibiotic use or an otherwise weakened immune system, the candida albicans may overgrow leading to a yeast infection.
Vaginal Yeast Infection Causes or Risk Factors
Although the main cause for vaginal yeast infection also known as Candidiasis remains unknown, certain factors may increase the risk of a woman developing candidiasis because they usually change the internal environment of the vagina and its pH levels. The main factors are;
a. antibiotic use
b. steroids
Menstruation, the presence of semen, diabetes, pregnancy, birth control, vaginal douching or sprays can also increase the risk of developing candidiasis. Post menopausal women commonly suffer from candidiasis as well.
Vaginal Yeast Infection Symptoms
Although some women can display no symptoms at all as mentioned previously, the common symptoms related to this condition include an excessive vaginal discharge that is cheesy white and usually heavy. It has been described as having a cottage cheese texture. It may smell somewhat like beer or bread.
Other candidiasis symptoms include burning, itching, soreness, pain or discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse, etc.
Candidiasis Diagnosis
It is important to note that the above mentioned symptoms may be similar or the same as other vaginal infections such as bacterial vaginosis and only a doctor can determine conclusively whether you are suffering from a vaginal infection resulting from candida albicans. Candidiasis is one of the top three vaginal infections that are experienced by women each year.
A doctor will usually extract come of the vaginal discharge that will then be inspected under a microscope to determine whether there is a presence of candida albicans. Other methods can also be used to pinpoint the vaginal infection and start treatment.
It is important to start treatment immediately because although there are no health risks related to candidiasis, it can lead to other conditions such as infertility.
Traditional Treatment for Candidiasis
Oral or topical medications including antibiotics are usually prescribed for the treatment of candidiasis. Topical creams that are applied around or in the vagina include but are not limited to butoconazole (Femstat 3), muconazole (Monistat), etc. Oral antibiotics that can be prescribed include fluconazole (Diflucan). Pregnant women are usually given the topical creams to treat this type of vaginal infection resulting from candida.
Natural Remedies for Candidiasis
The traditional medications that are usually prescribed for candidiasis can lead to various side effects that are unpleasant. These medications can also be expensive. Traditional medicine also only seeks to treat the symptoms of the vaginal infection and does not address the root cause of the candidiasis which leads to recurrence usually in the year following treatment. Natural or holistic methods seek to not only treat the symptoms of candidiasis, but also seek to treat the root so that you can say goodbye to vaginal yeast infections.
Natural remedies seek to implement a diet and lifestyle change in addition to various herbs and vitamins that are used. The remedies use ingredients that are available easily locally if they are not already present in your kitchen or home. Natural remedies seek to work with your body and not against it.
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