Yeast infection

Alternative Names

Yeast infection, Candidiasis, Moniliasis

What is Yeast infection

Yeast infection is an Infection of the vagina that is caused by a fungus (Candida). It is characterized by itching, burning, soreness, pain during sexual intercourse or urination and vaginal discharge that is typically cheesy white in color.

Yeast infection is the most common in women. It affects small amounts in the vagina, mouth, digestive tract and the skin. Typically it does not cause any symptoms.

Yeast infection is not a sexually transmitted disease. In rare cases, it can be seen in men. They can have such symptoms as itching and a rash on the penis after having sexual intercourse with someone who was infected.

If you have many vaginal yeast infections, it can be a sign of other health problems. Other vaginal infections and discharges can be mistaken for a vaginal yeast infection.

Repeat infections that occur immediately after treatment or a yeast infection that does not respond to any treatment can be an early sign of HIV.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of yeast infection can range from mild to severe. They include:

• Itching and irritation in the vagina and at that entrance to the vagina (vulva)
• A burning sensation, especially during intercourse or while urinating
• Redness and swelling of the vulva
• Vaginal pain and soreness
• Thick, white, odor-free vaginal discharge with a cottage cheese appearance

Possible complications

Yeast infection can be repeated (secondary infection) or can become chronic.

Chronic or recurrent infections can appear if you do not complete the treatment, you reinfect yourself or you have an underlying medical condition.

Secondary infection appears due to intense or prolonged scratching that causes the skin of the vulva to become cracked and raw, making it more likely to get infected.

What causes

Candida and many other germs or microorganisms commonly living in the vagina keep each other in balance. But under the certain condition the number of Candida albicans can increase, leading to a yeast infection.

These certain conditions include:

• Antibiotics used to treat other types of infections. They change the normal balance between organisms in the vagina by decreasing the number of protective bacteria.
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Obesity

Prevention

It is possible to decrease your risk of vaginal yeast infection:

• Avoid douching
• Do not use scented tampons, pads, bubble baths or feminine hygiene sprays
• Wear cotton underwear and loose fitting pants or skirts
• Avoid tightfitting underwear or pantyhose
• Change out of wet clothes such as swimsuits or workout attire, as soon as possible
• Stay out of hot tubs or very hot baths

Treatment

A great variety of treatment options exists to treat yeast infection. They include creams, lotions, pills, troches (lozenges) and vaginal suppositories. Your doctor should find the option that is the best for you.

Azole medications are antifungal drugs that block the manufacture of ergosterol, a crucial material of the yeast cell wall. Without ergosterol, the yeast cell wall becomes leaky and the yeast dies. Fortunately, ergosterol is not a component of human membranes, and azoles are harmless for human cells.

Polyene antifungals- nystatin and amphotericin B. Nystatin is used to treat thrush and superficial candidal infections. Doctors recommend using amphotericin B in more serious systemic fungal infections. The antifungals attach to the yeast cell wall building material, ergosterol. These medications then form artificial holes in the yeast-wall that makes the yeast to leak and die.