HEALTH

Vaginal Yeast Infection: Causes, Signs & Treatments

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Vaginal mycoses are extremely common infections. They represent 20% of the tests carried out by laboratories. The discomfort and pain are such that they most often require urgent medical attention. 

75% of women have vaginal mycosis at least once in their life. This benign infection can be treated with simple treatment and there are many ways and products to prevent recurrences, which are quite frequent.

Definition: What is a Vaginal Yeast Infection?

It is a generally benign genital infection. It is caused by a yeast-type fungus, most often Candida Albicans, which is naturally found in the genital tract.

How do you know if it’s a Yeast Infection or Vulvar Irritation?

The main element that distinguishes a mycosis from a simple irritation is pruritus. Indeed, the itching associated with a mycosis is very intense, which is not the case with a simple irritation.

Causes: How do you Get a Vaginal Yeast Infection?

Genital mycoses are often caused by the same fungus from the yeast family: Candida albicans. It can affect any part of the body: mouth, pharynx, esophagus, skin, intestine, but most often the vagina.

Vaginal Yeast Infection

Most of the time, it does not cause any problems. However, of the 25% of women who carry this fungus, 75% of them will have at least one in their life. For two-thirds of them, the infection results from a change in the natural balance of the vaginal flora. For the remaining third, the contamination is external, through sexual contact or with an infected object. 

Risk Factors

Why do naturally harmless microorganisms become a problem? This change can be linked to many factors:

  • Pregnancy;
  • Diabetes;
  • Endocrine diseases;
  • The acidity of the vagina;
  • Menstrual period;
  • Stress;
  • Some birth control pills;
  • Taking antibiotics;
  • Increased sugar content in vaginal secretions;
  • Contamination of the intestine;
  • Synthetic materials or tight clothing, panty liners;
  • Excessive personal hygiene;
  • Chemical attacks by acidic soaps and chlorine from swimming pools;
  • Infection by the aids virus(very rare cases).

Vulvar Itching, Vaginal Burning, White Discharge – Symptoms of Vaginal Mycosis?

Once a vaginal infection has been declared, the symptoms are unmistakable:

  • Constant itching of the vulva and vaginal opening;
  • Thick, creamy white discharge;
  • Burning in the vagina during urination;
  • Increasingly painful intercourse;
  • Bright red and swollen vulva.

The main symptom is vulvar itching, it can be confused with dermatological diseases such as psoriasis or eczema. It is when the itching is accompanied by abundant, odorless, and thick discharge that it may be a mycosis.

Transmission Mode

Vaginal thrush is not considered an STI (sexually transmitted infection). It can indeed be reactivated during unprotected sex, but this is not strictly speaking transmission. However, to avoid recurrences, the partner will need to be treated, especially if he has symptoms of thrush on his penis.

How to Treat Vaginal or Vulvar Mycosis?

There are two options for treating these symptoms.

Systemic Treatment

It is done by taking an antifungal medication (capsules or tablets) to be taken orally. By passing through the bloodstream, the antifungal medication reaches the mucous membranes where it destroys the fungi. It is only available on prescription and therefore requires consultation with your doctor.

The latter may also take a vaginal sample on a swab (a type of large sterile cotton bud) which will be analyzed in the laboratory to determine which microorganism is incriminated and also determine the most effective treatment to eradicate it or at least regulate it to its normal quantity.

Local Treatment

Vaginal mycosis is more generally treated with another type of product, vaginal ovules to be introduced mainly in the evening, including during menstruation. Today, there are single-dose treatments (a single ovule) or short-term treatments (over 3 days, one ovule to be put in every evening for 3 days), which are very effective. They are generally available in pharmacies without a prescription.

Your doctor or pharmacist may also prescribe a cream or lotion to apply to the skin and external mucous membranes.

Some medications such as ovules are available without a prescription in pharmacies (they are therefore not reimbursed). However, you must be sure that you are indeed subject to them, otherwise, it is not recommended to resort to self-medication without consulting, especially if you are pregnant or if this is your first mycosis.

Vaginal Yeast Infection: How to Avoid Recurrences?

This is often where the problem lies: relapses are common. Here are five tips to help limit this risk:

  • Choose cotton underwear, washable at 60°C because these fungi are hard to kill;
  • For your daily intimate hygiene, remove products such as disinfectant baths, vaginal douches, scented soaps and other intimate sprays. Use clear water to thoroughly clean the labia minora and Majora;
  • Do not wear panty liners every day;
  • Use lubricants if necessary to prevent mechanical injuries during sexual intercourse;
  • After swimming in the pool, rinse yourself immediately with running water and do not keep a wet swimsuit on;
  • Finally, avoid excess sweets that feed your mushrooms.

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