Recognizing Vaginal Yeast Infection
Yeast infections are caused by Candida albicans growing out of control. Candida albicans is a type of fungus. Such infections usually affect the vagina and the external vulva area in women.
Yeast is a normal flora within a woman’s vagina. However, an infection takes place because of the overgrowth of fungus.
The most common complaints of people suffering from these infections include extreme itchiness inside the area from the vagina and/or vulva. A woman could also have thick, white, cottage-cheese consistency vaginal discharge, visible irritation inside the vulva, soreness in the affected area, and discomfort during sexual intercourse or when urinating, among many other troublesome symptoms.
The signs and symptoms of such infections resemble other types of vaginal infection. That being said, those who experience these symptoms should see their doctors.
Your doctor may prescribe you with oral drugs or any products depending on the severity of your infection. You can also use over-the-counter medicine and suppositories to give you temporary relief. It may take a long while for you to steer clear of all the symptoms, but all your hardships during the treatment will eventually pay off.
Risk factors for vaginal yeast infections may include, but not exclusive to, menstruation, pregnancy, medications like antibiotics, medical conditions such as diabetes and HIV, hormonal changes, and physical exhaustion which can alter your health equilibrium, among many others.
You can avoid yeast infections simply by wearing cotton and other breathable types of undergarment material. Also, you should steer clear of hygiene products that are scented or perfumed. You should also avoid douches. Hot tubs and Jacuzzis are also not advisable. When you are menstruating, you should be changing tampons and pads regularly. All of these simple measures, when taken, will help you avoid the troubles of having yeast infection.
Related Yeast Infection Articles
Categories: Articles about Treating Candida Tags: area, avoid, types, vagina, vaginal yeast infection, vaginal yeast infection symptoms
How to avoid a yeast infection while taking antibiotics?
Question by ♥Agent Banana Hammock♥: How to avoid a yeast infection while taking antibiotics?
I am currently taking the antibiotic Cephalexin. My doctor said it is likely that I will get a yeast infection while taking it. Is there any way to avoid getting a yeast infection?
Best answer:
Answer by dolores Pistou
Actually, antibiotics often cause yeast infections. The reason you get a yeast infection after using antibiotics is because antibiotics kill all bacteria in the body, both the bacteria (the ones that you took antibiotics to get rid of) and the good bacteria (the ones that help your body fight off yeast infections). As a result the yeast is left to grow without any good bacteria to ward it off. Many people take OTC creams like monistat to treat the yeast infection, but often times that only temporarily fix the problem. More often than not you’ll just end up with a reoccuring yeast infection. The best way to stop it permanently is to re-establish your body’s balance of good bacteria and yeast.
Personally I think the best approach is the natural way. Basically the reason you have a yeast infection is because there’s an imbalance in your body. A healthy person has a balance between the yeast in their body and the good bacteria in their body.
Too much yeast, you have a yeast infection. Too much bacteria, you have a bacterial infection.
So, when you have a yeast infection you essentially have too much yeast in your body. The natural way to treat it and bring back that balance is to starve the yeast and introduce more good bacteria into your body.
Oh and BTW – That’s why you often get relief from using the over the counter meds temporarily, and then the yeast infection comes back. The creams aren’t changing the source of the problem. They are just killing the yeast they come in contact with, and not balancing the yeast/bacteria in your body and actually sometimes end up making things a lot worse.
Oh BTW2 – That’s also why many times you’ll get a yeast infection after using antibiotics. Antibiotics kill all the bacteria in your body, the good and the bad. When that happens the balance between the yeast and good bacteria is off once again and you get a yeast infection.
Things you can add to your diet (to help promote good bacteria) are live yogurt cultures (or take Acidophilus), plenty of water, fresh vegetables, lots of protein rich foods, whey protein, raw garlic, nuts, seeds, oils, millet, rice and oat brans.
Things you should remove from your diet (to starve the yeast) are all sodas, sugars, fruit, fermented foods, foods containing white flour, alcohol (especially beer), antacids and any product that has yeast or mold.
You can change your diet in conjunction with using the creams that you’ve been using and that will speed up the recovery significantly. But what I would also recommend is to use a homeopathic solution instead. I always feel if there’s a natural way to do something, then it’s best to avoid the chemicals. I would look for an natural product, that can be taken orally to promote re-growth of the good bacteria in your body.
There are a few out there, I think they are probably all pretty good. One that I have used and was very effective for me was is yeastrol.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Categories: Candida Questions Tags: antibiotics, avoid, Infection, taking, Yeast
What foods should a person avoid if they have candida?
Question by Rosebud: what foods should a person avoid if they have candida?
I’m trying to find the best cure for candida, and I hear there are certain foods you should stay away from.
Best answer:
Answer by Borderline of Devotion
I’ve heard that people with candida should avoid sugar, glucose, etc. because it provides food for the yeast within your body. I’ve also heard that eating the probiotic bacteria will help to reduce it due to competition for nutrients within your intestines. You can get those from yogurt with “active cultures” in it. I’d double check with a doctor or dietician to be sure, though.
What do you think? Answer below!
How can I avoid a yeast infection while taking an antibiotic?
Question by hi: How can I avoid a yeast infection while taking an antibiotic?
I am very sick with a sinus infection and my doctor prescribed me an antibiotic. The problem is I really don’t want to deal with a yeast infection. So what can i do to avoid getting a yeast infection and still take the antibiotics?
Best answer:
Answer by Mary Bijoux
Basically the reason you have a yeast infection is because there’s an imbalance in your body. A healthy person has a balance between the yeast in their body and the good bacteria in their body.
Too much yeast, you have a yeast infection. Too much bacteria, you have a bacterial infection.
So, when you have a yeast infection you essentially have too much yeast in your body relative to the good bacteria. The natural way to treat it and bring back that balance is to starve the yeast and introduce more good bacteria into your body.
Oh and BTW – That’s why you often get relief from using the over the counter meds temporarily, and then the yeast infection comes back. The creams aren’t changing the source of the problem. They are just killing the yeast they come in contact with, and not balancing the yeast/bacteria in your body and actually sometimes end up making things a lot worse.
Oh BTW2 – That’s also why many times you’ll get a yeast infection after using antibiotics. Antibiotics kill all the bacteria in your body, the good and the bad. When that happens the balance between the yeast and good bacteria is off, and once again and you get a yeast infection.
Things you can add to your diet (to help promote good bacteria) are live yogurt cultures (or take Acidophilus), plenty of water, fresh vegetables, lots of protein rich foods, whey protein, raw garlic, nuts, seeds, oils, millet, rice and oat brans
Things you should remove from your diet (to starve the yeast) are all sodas, sugars, fruit, fermented foods, foods containing white flour, alcohol (especially beer), antacids and any product that has yeast or mold
Changing your diet will definitely get you on the road to balancing the yeast and good bacteria, but what I would also recommend is to use a homeopathic solution to help naturally speed up the process.
I always feel if there’s a natural way to do something, then it’s best to avoid the chemicals. I would look for an natural product, that can be taken orally to promote re-growth of the good bacteria in your body.
There are a few out there, I think they are probably all pretty good. One that I have used and was very effective for me was yeastrol. Best of Luck!
Hope this helps and best of luck! 
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
Categories: Candida Questions Tags: antibiotic, avoid, Infection, taking, Yeast
