Vaginal yeast infection
A Vaginal yeast infection is an infection caused by too much growth of yeast in the vagina that causes a discharge and irritation. It is also called candidal vulvovaginitis and vaginal thrush. The fungus Candida albicans is a microscopic fungus that usually causes yeast infections. It is not a sexually transmitted infection.[1][2][3] Vaginal yeast infections are not common before a girl menstruates or after menopause.[4]
The vagina has a normal growth of bacteria and yeast. But when too much yeast grows, irritation usually happens.[1] Sometimes the medicine used to treat the infection stops working.[5]
Signs and symptoms
changeA yeast infection is uncomfortable. It can feel like burning. It causes itching.[6]
A vaginal yeast infection can cause vaginal discharge. The vaginal discharge can be like water. Sometimes the discharge can be thick, white, and chunky. A woman may have painful sex. It may be painful to urinate.[7] A vaginal yeast infection usually causes the vagina and vulva to become itchy and red.[8][4]
Risk factors and causes
change[9] If the body has a weak immune system this makes it more likely that a woman will get a vaginal yeast infection. Taking certain types of medicine like antibiotics increases the risk of having a vaginal yeast infection. Medications are one cause of a vaginal yeast infection. These are antibiotics, steroids, and chemotherapy.[10] The risk is higher if a woman is are pregnant or who has diabetes. The risk is greater if a woman douches or uses sprays in her vaginal area.[4]
Treatment
changeTo find out whether or not a woman has a vaginal yeast infection, a doctor may:
- Ask many questions about the woman's health,
- Do an examination of the vulva and vagina,
- Look for vaginal discharge, its color, qualities, and odor,
- Study a sample of vaginal fluid under a microscope,
- Order some more tests.
Yeast infections are usually treated with cream or with medicine that is put inside your vagina. a There are medicines that can be bought without a prescription.[8]
See also
changeReferences
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Yeast infection (vaginal) - Symptoms and causes". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
- ↑ Administration, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health. "VA.gov Veterans Affairs". www.publichealth.va.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
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This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ Jeanmonod, Rebecca; Chippa, Venu; Jeanmonod, Donald (2024), "Vaginal Candidiasis", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 29083806, retrieved 2024-12-22
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Vaginal yeast infections". womenshealth.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
- ↑ "Emerging Infectious Diseases journal". wwwnc.cdc.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-22. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ "Vaginal Yeast Infection: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
- ↑ "Vaginal yeast infection: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-23. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Vaginitis". medlineplus.gov. Retrieved 2024-12-25. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ CDC (2024-09-06). "Candidiasis Basics". Candidiasis. Retrieved 2024-12-22. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ CDC (2024-05-16). "Risk Factors for Candidiasis". Candidiasis. Retrieved 2024-12-22. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
