As a collection of undesirable symptoms arise, three out of four women are estimated to suffer from at least one vaginal yeast infection in their lifetime. In the United States, this type of yeast infection is one of the most common forms of vaginitis, an inflammation of the female genitals characterized by vaginal discharge, discomfort, and vaginal pain. Today, with careful prevention and quick treatment, a woman is able to overcome the dreaded signs and symptoms associated with this widespread vaginal infection.

What Causes Vaginal Yeast Infection?

Vaginal yeast infections arise when various internal and external factors influence changes within the normal environment of the vagina. Candida albicans, a fungus found within the body, is responsible for vaginal yeast infections. Generally, when new yeast is presented into the vaginal region (or outside factors create an increase in yeast), a vaginal infection takes place.

It is important to understand that this type of infection is not a sexually transmitted disease, but simply the overgrowth of microscopic fungus that naturally occurs in the body. Some of the most common influences of vaginal yeast infection include wearing damp or tight clothing, feminine hygiene products containing irritants, vaginal contraceptives, and bubble baths.

Injury to the outer lining of the vagina also leads to yeast infections, which is commonly seen in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Additional outside factors known to increase the risk of yeast infection includes certain medications (antibiotics and steroids), poorly managed diabetes, and hormonal changes, such as the use of birth control pills, pregnancy, and the onset of menopause.

Symptoms and Signs

When vaginal infections strike, the symptoms and signs of the condition are often unmistakable. Yeast infection causes a change in color, odor, or the amount of vaginal discharge a woman experiences. One of the most telling signs of this type of vaginal irritation is the thick, white discharge that is often compared to cottage cheese. Vaginal itching or any other irritation of the vagina is another common symptom of a vaginal yeast infection.

Additionally, a woman may encounter vaginal pain during intercourse or experience discomfort while urinating. Light vaginal bleeding may also accompany common yeast infection symptoms.

Diagnosis

A visit to a health care professional helps one correctly diagnose symptoms so patients may seek the best course of treatment. Women often undergo a gynecological examination, where the vagina is checked for inflammation or abnormal discharge. A sample of the vaginal discharge is sometimes taken and sent to a lab examination for microscopic analysis. Unless you have suffered vaginal yeast infections in the past, it is important to correctly diagnosis your symptoms, as you may have a more serious condition, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichmoniasis, which requires a different set of treatments.

Prevention

There are plenty of ways to decrease the chances of suffering from such an irritating occurrence as vaginal yeast infection. As a rule of thumb, following proper hygiene habits is one of the best ways to avoid a yeast infection of the vagina.

Creating an environment that discourages the accumulation of yeast is highly recommended. For instance, wearing cotton underwear, pantyhose, and other undergarments with cotton crotches is a decent way to prevent the moisture where yeast tends to thrive. A woman should also avoid the use of products known to irritate the vagina, such as scented feminine products (tampons and pads). Scented or chemical-rich soaps are also known to aggravate the vagina. After washing, a thorough rinse is needed to remove the cleaning products that may cause irritation.

There are also other bathing and cleansing habits known to disrupt the natural environment of the vagina, including douching. To prevent vaginal yeast infection, some women avoid taking baths, soaking in hot tubs, and luxuriating in whirlpool spas because of the increased risk regarding the creation of a vaginal infection. It is recommended to limit the frequency of such activities.

Additionally, consuming yogurt that contains active lactobacillus cultures is another way to combat yeast infection because helpful bacteria in the yogurt are known to lessen the risk of recurrent vaginal irritation.

Treatment

If you are unlucky enough to develop a vaginal yeast infection, prompt attention and treatment will help decrease discomfort and lessen the risk of vaginal sores and vaginal rash longevity. To end the vaginal burning and other symptoms that accompany a yeast infection, physicians may subscribe an oral antifungal medication, such as fluconazole (Diflucan). Self-care measures are also popular, as many over-the-counter treatments help put an end to vaginal infections. Convenient, inexpensive, and easily assessable antifungal creams or suppositories on the market include miconazole (Monistat) and clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin).

Until your treatment approach has a chance to take full effect, vaginal irritation is sometimes eased when a cold compress (wet washcloth) is applied to the labial region. Hopefully, some of the discomfort is able to subside. Overall, between 80 and 90 percent of vaginal yeast infections are often cured with the help of medications within two weeks or less. A lucky few are able to eliminate their signs and symptoms within a few days.