A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that affects the tissues at the vaginal opening and results in irritation, discharge, and severe itching.
Up to 3 out of 4 women will experience vaginal yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis, at least twice in their lifetime.
Although a vaginal yeast infection is not typically thought of as a sexually transmitted infection, there is a higher risk of getting one during the first regular sexual activity, and there is some evidence that infections may be linked to mouth-to-genital contact (oral-genital sex).
A longer treatment course and a maintenance plan may be necessary if you experience recurrent yeast infections, which are defined as four or more in a calendar year. Drugs can effectively treat vaginal yeast infections.
Symptoms
The following list of mild to moderate symptoms of a yeast infection:
- Vaginal and vulvar itchiness and irritation
- a burning feeling, particularly during sexual activity or while urinating
- the vulva is red and swollen.
- Vaginal pain and soreness
- Vaginal rash
- Vaginal discharge that is thick, white, odorless, and resembles cottage cheese
- Watery vaginal discharge
Complicated yeast infection
If any of the following apply to you:
- You exhibit severe warning signs and symptoms like a great deal of erythema, swelling, and itching that causes cracks, sores, or tears.
- 4 or more yeast infections per year are present in you
- A less common type of fungus is what’s responsible for your infection.
- You’re pregnant
- You have uncontrolled diabetes
- Certain medications or illnesses, like HIV infection, cause your immune system to become weakened.
Causes
The majority of vaginal yeast infections are caused by the fungus candida albicans.
Yeast, including candida, and bacteria are present in your vagina in a healthy balance, with some bacteria (lactobacillus) acting to control yeast overgrowth.
The symptoms of a yeast infection are caused by an overgrowth of candida or by the fungus penetrating deeper layers of vaginal cell tissue, upsetting the delicate balance that normally exists.
Yeast overgrowth can be brought on by:
- Antibiotic use, which disrupts the natural flora in the vagina,
- Pregnancy
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- An impaired immune system
- using oral contraceptives or estrogen-boosting medication
Other species of the candida fungus can be more challenging to treat and typically require more aggressive therapies. Candida albicans is the species of the fungus that causes yeast infections most frequently.
Risk factors
You are more likely to get a yeast infection if you have the following things:
- Antibiotic use.Broad-spectrum antibiotics, which kill a variety of bacteria, also kill healthy bacteria in your vagina, causing an overgrowth of yeast. Yeast infections are common in women who take antibiotics.
- Increased estrogen levels.Women who take high-dose estrogen birth control pills, undergo estrogen hormone therapy, are more likely to develop yeast infections than those who have lower estrogen levels.
- Uncontrolled diabetes.Compared to women with well-controlled blood sugar, those with poorly managed blood sugar are more likely to develop yeast infections.
- Impaired immune system.Yeast infections are more common in women who have weakened immune systems, such as those brought on by corticosteroid therapy or HIV infection.
Prevention
Wear undergarments with a cotton crotch and loose-fitting bottoms to lower your risk of vaginal yeast infections.
Another thing to keep away from is:
- Tight-fitting pantyhose
- Douching eliminates some of the natural bacteria in the vagina that serve as an infection-prevention measure.
- scented sanitary items like bubble bath, pads, and tampons
- extremely hot baths and hot tubs
- using antibiotics for viral infections or colds when they are not necessary
- enduring extended periods of time while wearing wet clothing, such as swimwear or workout gear
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Calcarea carbonica
An individual who needs this remedy is typically chilly and stout, has a sweet tooth, and is easily exhausted by exertion. Burning and itching sensations may occur both before and after the menstrual period when this remedy is indicated.
Kreosotum
Infections are more likely to manifest before the menstrual cycle or during pregnancy. This remedy is strongly indicated for vaginitis with watery, thin, foul-smelling discharge that is very irritating and makes the vulva swell and itch.
Natrum muriaticum
A woman who needs this remedy often appears reserved, but is actually very emotional inside. Vaginitis with discharge resembling egg-white, itching, and making the vagina feel dry and irritated are likely to respond to this remedy.Natrum muriaticum.
Sepia
This medication may be necessary if a woman has yellow, irritable vaginal discharge caused by yeast infections or white, curd-like discharge caused by yeast infections.SepiaDischarge may be more frequent in the morning and increased by walking, and the person frequently feels exhausted and irritable, with cold extremities, and weak or sagging in the pelvic area.
Borax
This medication should be used if you have vaginal yeast infections with discharge that looks like egg white and feels like warm water is coming out of your vagina.BoraxA person in need of this remedy is frequently anxious and extremely sensitive to noise, with symptoms typically appearing halfway between periods.
Kali bichromicum
This treatment may be recommended in cases of vaginitis where the discharge is persistently yellow, itchy, and burning, and the symptoms may be worse in the morning.
Pulsatilla
The woman will likely be moody, possibly tearful, and need a lot of attention and affection. This remedy is frequently helpful for vaginitis during pregnancy. Symptoms may be changeable. A creamy white or yellowish discharge appears, which can be either bland or irritating. The vagina may feel sore, and the labia may itch or burn.
Sulphur
This remedy comes to mind when discharge appears yellowish, has an unpleasant odor, and causes intense burning and itching.
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