Nearly 75 percent of all women will have at least one such infection in their lifetime. Many are plagued by recurring yeast infections, which are most frequent between the ages of 16 and 35. Yeast is a term for single-celled fungi. The technical name for the variety of fungus often present in the human body is candida, and the technical name for infections caused by these fungi is candidiasis. Such infections occur not only in the vagina, but also in other parts of the body in both sexes.
A woman who has had one vaginal yeast infection can usually recognize its symptoms if it recurs. And a woman who has had several infections has no doubt about what's wrong when the next yeast infection starts. Another symptom is a thick, mostly odorless discharge. But this can be misleading because discharge in and of itself is not diagnostic. If you have a white discharge with an intense irritating itch, you may have an infection. Unfortunately, many women will, in response to increased estrogen at mid-cycle and the increased production of cervical mucus, develop a white, curdy discharge. That is not a yeast infection.
Medications used to treat yeast infections can either require a prescription or be non-prescription, but they all work by killing the yeast that is causing your infection. Most of these belong to a family of medications known as azoles. Medications used to treat yeast infections can be divided into two main categories, vaginal products and pills.
Some girls may react to certain dyes or perfumes in soaps, bath gels or lotions, sanitary products, and laundry detergents. When the reaction causes irritation, that can set the stage for a yeast infection. Your best bet is to steer clear of perfumed products and to use mild and fragrance-free products when possible.
It is normal to have some fungus, or yeast, on the body. Bacteria usually keep the growth of the yeast in check.However, sometimes the yeast grows (multiplies) quickly and causes an infection. There are several situations in which the yeast may multiply. For example, antibiotic medicine may kill the bacteria that keep yeast levels down. Conditions that cause hormonal changes, such as menopause, pregnancy, or taking birth control pills, may also cause the yeast to grow. Yeast infections are often associated with diabetes, especiallywhen the blood sugar level is too high. Recurring or stubborn cases of vaginal candidiasis may sometimes be an early sign of diabetes. In some cases, yeast infections that don't go away are an early sign of HIV infection. Drugsthat suppress the body's defense system (such as drugs used to treat AIDS) also allow the yeast to grow and spread. Candidiasis usually is not spread by sexual intercourse.
In adults, oral yeast infections become more common with increased age. Adults also can have yeast infections around dentures, under the breast and lower abdomen, nailbeds, and beneath other skin folds. Most of these candidal infections are superficial and clear up easily with treatment.
If you use a cream or suppository to treat the infection, don't depend on a condom or diaphragm for birth control. The oil in some medicines weakens latex, the material often used to make these devices.
Sarah Rhodes suffered from chronic yeast infections for many years before finally discovering a natural, permanent cure that works. Read about Sarah and the secret that permanently cured her yeast infections at:
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