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Yeast Infection


What Is Yeast Infection?

Three out of every four women suffer from yeast infections at some stage in their life – so you are not alone in your battle against this awful infection.

Women can get various types of vaginal infections, and yeast infection is on of them. If you notice some change in your vagina such as unusual discharges or itching, you may be having an infection of some sort.

It is important for you to know exactly what that infection is so that you can get the right treatment.
Yeast infection is a fungal infection caused by Candida albican, a member of the candida species that commonly grows in various areas of the human body such as the mouth or intestinal tract, including the vagina in women. If an individual’s immune system is out of balance then growth of candida albican can get out of control, resulting in a yeast infection.


What Are The Symptoms Of Yeast Infection?

Not all vaginal discharges are a sign of an infection.

Some vaginal discharge is quite normal and common for women. Normally, cervical glands produce a clear mucous secretion. There are times during the menstrual cycle that the cervical glands produce more mucus than others, depending on the amount of estrogen produced. This is normal for any woman.

Sexual excitement and emotional stress have both also been associated with a normal vaginal discharge. This discharge is a clear, mucus-like secretion. You should not get concerned if you notice these normal discharges – but you must be attentive in detecting any changes in your usual vaginal discharges.

If your vaginal discharge is abnormal in color – if it is greenish and thick, has a foul smell, changes consistency, or is significantly increased or decreased in amount, this is a sign of an infection.

Vaginal discharge, itching, and burning are common symptoms of the various forms of vaginal infection. Although the symptoms of these infections can be very similar, there are some differences to look for in the color and smell of the discharge. It is important that you know the exact symptoms of a yeast infection so that you can treat it appropriately and early enough.

Yeast infections or candidiasis cause a thick, whitish-gray “cottage cheese” type of vaginal discharge and sometimes you may feel very itchy in your genitals. Sometime the itchiness and burning sensation is very strong after taking a shower or bath. Painful urination and pain during intercourse are also common.

Redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva are another prime indication of a yeast infection. Secondary effects of yeast infections include pain during urination and sexual intercourse. Another common symptom for yeast infection is that the discharge has a yeasty smell.

There is a wide range of symptoms that are indicative of vaginal yeast infections. You must know all the symptoms of a yeast infection so that you will be able to notice when you have an infection. These symptoms can range from mild to painful, including the following:

 Itching
 Burning
 Irritation of the vagina
 Itching and redness of the vulva
 Pain while urinating
 Discomfort during sexual intercourse
 Abnormal or unusual vaginal discharge (this has commonly been described as resembling cottage cheese) but the discharge can vary in amount as well as appearance between different women.
 Soreness in the mouth or on the anus or in your armpits
 Craving for yeasty foods and sugar
 Irritable bowels

It is very important that you cure your yeast infection because if left untreated for a long time, yeast infections can cause the following problems and ailments in some women, ranging from mild to strong:

 Digestive pain
 Blurred vision
 Sudden weight gain or loss
 Chronic rashes and/or acne or other skin problems
 Urinary disorders or pain
 Unexplained and constant fatigue and a feeling of lethargy
 Inflammation
 Headaches
 Irritability
 Lack of concentration
 Dizziness
 Gas and abdominal bloating
 Muscle aches
 Respiratory infections
 Joint pain or swelling
 Low immune system
 Loss of sex drive or impotence
 Depression
 Strong menstrual pain

Your body is very good at “telling” you that something is wrong. You just have to develop the skill to “listen” to all the signs and symptoms that something is not right. If you have any of these main symptoms for yeast infections, get diagnosed and start on a treatment.

However, you need to know that it’s easy to confuse the symptoms of a yeast infection with those of some STDs and other vaginal infections. If you have never experienced any of the above usual symptoms before, the best thing to do is to visit a doctor to make sure that it is indeed a yeast infection and not something else.

Improper medication can worsen the situation, and a delay in the proper treatment can cause some health problems as the yeast infection will be continuing to reduce your immune system, making you susceptible to many other ailments. Once you have been properly diagnosed you will know the exact symptoms for yeast infection and will be better prepared to deal with them and get on a treatment plan to cure the infection.

It is important for you to know what is causing your yeast infection and what you need to do in order to prevent them from coming back, rather than taking some drugs every time you find yourself infected.
Knowing the exact symptoms of yeast infection is also important because you will be able to begin your treatment plan at a very early stage as soon as you notice these symptoms, rather than later.