Vaginal yeast infections affect 75 percent of women during their lives and many will suffer from this infection more than once. The infection may also be known as vaginal thrush, vaginal candidiasis or simply Candidiasis.
Vaginal yeast infection symptoms can include itching, burning, soreness, irritation and a white ‘cheese like’ type of discharge. There may also be some tenderness in the vagina and this may become more noticeable when having sexual intercourse.
These symptoms are very similar to vaginitis, which can also be caused by a yeast infection called Candida albicans, but vaginitis might also be the result of a bacterium known as Gardnerella, or indeed certain parasites (like Trichomonas vaginalis).
Treatment of vaginal yeast infections will of course depend on the cause, which will be discovered by means of a physical examination, and may involve the taking of samples so that the organisms causing the infection can be ‘cultured’.
If there is inflammation without infection, a doctor may prescribe soothing creams or anti-inflammatory preparations. Bacterial infections would normally be treated with antibiotics, such as metronidazole (which would also be used to treat the parasites sometimes found with vaginitis).
Assuming the yeast infection is not the result of some underlying disease (like diabetes for example), many believe the symptoms can be dealt with by simply changing your diet or selecting herbal medicine as a more natural solution. If you are fairly sure the infection is not serious, a home treatment of vaginal yeast infection may be possible, but if you are in any doubt, see your doctor.
If you are considering a natural treatment for your vaginal yeast infection, it is important to find one that will reduce or eliminate the yeast in your body. Plain yogurts contain what is commonly referred to as “friendly bacteria”, so this will help to restore a more normal balance in the bacteria that naturally exist in your body. You could also purchase a good quality probiotic which contains the friendly bacteria in a convenient tablet or capsule.
High sugar levels are known to cause or worsen yeast infections, which is why diabetics often experience this problem. In many cases, this is the first indication that a person is suffering from diabetes. So avoiding sugary foodstuffs like chocolate, cakes and sweets is a good idea.
Garlic is often suggested as a potential cure for many ailments and yeast infections are no exception. It has even been said that placing a clove of garlic (wrapped in gauze) inside the vagina can also help to reduce the fungi associated with this infection. Obviously before even considering this option, it is recommended that you do some real research on whether this is a feasible choice.
Most at risk from vaginal yeast infections are women who have been on a course of antibiotics for other illnesses, which kill bacteria and create an imbalance of microorganisms in the vagina, and other parts of the body. Pregnant women are also susceptible to this infection.
It is perhaps wise for anyone suffering from the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection to consult their doctor for confirmation, especially if this is the first time they have experienced such an infection, in order to rule out any other underlying diseases that may be present.
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