Vaginal Yeast Infection

When a kind of naturally occurring fungus called candida or yeast in our body multiply abnormally and over grows in large numbers they cause infections. They mostly occur in moist parts of body like mouth, armpits etc but most common place for yeast infection is vagina in women. The warm, moist environment of vagina provides them ideal conditions to inhabit and grow rapidly in vagina. 

Almost every woman suffers with yeast infection at least once in her life time. Vaginal yeast infection is common in child bearing ages. Women are more susceptible of vaginal yeast infections during pregnancy due to several hormonal changes taking place in her body. Also after menopause when estrogen levels decreases and vagina becomes less acidic vagina becomes more susceptible to such infections. 

Common symptoms of vaginal yeast infections are: itching and burning sensations in vagina, swelling and soreness on vulva, pain during intercourse and urination and in some cases a whitish cottage like discharge. 

As all of the symptoms of yeast infection are nonspecific, often women misdiagnose themselves. Almost 70% of women treating themselves for vaginal infection are actually not having any yeast infection. Consuming anti-bacterial drugs for long under such circumstances can be dangerous as actual problem remains untreated. Also patient may develop drug-resistance for these antibiotics. 

To keep yourself away from vaginal yeast infection avoid eating red meat, junk foods and fermented products that contain yeast. Avoid excess coffee, alcohol and dairy products. Try to wear cotton loose clothing and avoid tight clothes that inhibit free air flow to skin. Always keep your genital area clean and dry. Do not use scented sprays, perfumes and lotions that can aggravate yeast growth. Never share bathing tub or swimming pools with infected people. 

Probably the best treatment for vaginal yeast infection is by identifying the actual cause and eradicating it. By educating yourself with possible causes of yeast infections and by making minor changes to your life styles you can keep yeast infections miles away from your body.