A Vaginal Yeast Infection Can be a Pain

If you are a woman who has ever experienced a vaginal yeast infection,

then you know how painful it can be. The intense itching, burning and

pain can make you want to scream at times.

You would do just about anything for relief. It is important to catch a

yeast infection early and start treatment to avoid these symptoms.

If you have never had a yeast infection, this article will

teach you what can cause a vaginal yeast infection.

A vaginal yeast infection is caused by an organism called

Candida Albicans. When the balance of your body's natural

defenses is interrupted, yeast will take the opportunity to grow.

The vagina is the perfect medium because it is warm, dark and

moist. But what can cause an upset in the body's natural

defense mechanism?

The most common culprit in upsetting the system and causing

a yeast infection in women is antibiotics. The antibiotics go to

work killing the bacteria that is making you sick, but at the

same time it is killing the good bacteria in your body that

keep the yeast under control. So once you finish your antibiotic

and are feeling better, you may develop a yeast infection and have to

start treatment for it.

Another cause of a yeast infection is a change in hormone levels.

Many women will experience a yeast infection when they start on

birth control pills or if they become pregnant. Some women

report having symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection around the

time their period is supposed to start. The good news here is

the symptoms usually go away after their period ends.

Diabetes and other diseases that affect the hormone levels

in your body can be a trigger for yeast infections. These diseases

change the chemical composition of the vagina allowing the yeast to

grow out of control. If you are having recurring yeast infections,

talk to your doctor about getting a work up.

There are things that you can do to prevent a yeast infection from

happening. Eat yogurt daily.

This will help to replace the good bacteria in your body that

keeps the yeast under control. Wear only cotton underwear

and not synthetics. This will allow airflow to the vagina and allow

moisture to evaporate. Change immediately out of wet workout

clothes or bathing suits. Yeast loves a moist environment, so it is

important not to remain in wet clothes. Make sure you dry the

vaginal area thoroughly after a bath or shower. Frequent

douching is not necessary and will only upset the natural

chemical balance of the vagina. Be careful with feminine sprays or

even deodorant sanitary pads. The chemicals in these can cause

the vaginal area to become irritated and make it susceptible to

developing a yeast infection.

Most importantly, if you do develop a yeast infection, do not

have sex until you get it treated.

You can give the yeast infection to your partner and he can

pass it back to you after you have been treated. This could be

an endless cycle of reinfection. If you do have sex when you have a

yeast infection, get your partner treatment also.



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