Yeast Infection

A vaginal yeast infection is one of the most common causes of genital irritation. Several factors can lead to an increased risk for this condition, such as being pregnant, having uncontrolled diabetes, and using antibiotics or birth control pills. Symptoms associated with a yeast infection in women include itching, burning, and irritation of the vagina. Antifungal medications are generally used to treat the infection.

Yeast Infection: An Introduction
Vaginal yeast infection, or vulvovaginal candidiasis, is a common cause of vaginal irritation. This common fungal infection occurs when there is an imbalance of the fungus called Candida albicans. Although this infection is not considered an STD (sexually transmitted disease), 12 percent to 15 percent of men develop symptoms after sexual contact with an infected partner.

Yeasts are always present in the vagina in small numbers, and symptoms only appear with overgrowth. Health experts estimate that approximately 75 percent of all women will have at least one yeast infection with apparent symptoms during their lifetime.

Risk Factors for a Yeast Infection
Several factors are associated with an increased risk of yeast infection in women, including:
* Being pregnant
* Having uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
* Using oral contraceptives or antibiotics.

Other factors that may increase the incidence of yeast infection include:
* Douchings
* Using perfumed feminine hygiene sprays
* Using topical antibiotics and steroid medicines.

Wearing tight, poorly ventilated clothing and underwear also can contribute to yeast infections.

Women with recurring infections should work with their healthcare providers to discover possible underlying causes of their chronic yeast infections. Health experts do not know whether yeast can be transmitted sexually. Because almost all women have the fungus in their vaginas, it has been difficult for researchers to study this aspect of the infection.

Symptoms of a Yeast Infection
The most frequent yeast infection symptoms in women are itching, burning, and irritation of the vagina. Painful urination and painful intercourse also are common.

Vaginal discharge is not always present, and may only occur in small amounts. The thick, whitish-gray discharge is typically described as cottage cheese-like, although it can vary from watery to thick. Most male partners of women with yeast infections do not have any symptoms. Some men, however, have reported temporary rashes and burning sensations of the penis after intercourse if they did not use condoms.

Diagnosing a Yeast Infection
Because few specific signs and symptoms are usually present, healthcare providers cannot diagnose a yeast infection simply by a person's medical history and physical examination. They usually diagnose a yeast infection by examining vaginal secretions under a microscope for evidence of yeast.

Treatment Options for a Yeast Infection
Various antifungal vaginal medicines are available to treat yeast infections. Women can buy antifungal creams to be applied directly to the area, tablets to be taken orally, or suppositories (butoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, and tioconazole) for use in the vagina. Because bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and yeast infection are difficult to tell apart on the basis of symptoms alone, a woman with vaginal symptoms should see her healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis before using these products.

Other products available over-the-counter contain antihistamines or topical anesthetics that only mask the symptoms and do not treat the underlying infection.

Women who have chronic or recurring yeast infections may need to be treated with vaginal creams or oral medicines for long periods of time.

HIV-infected women may have severe yeast infections that often do not respond to treatment.

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