Studies reveal that women are highly prone to yeast infection as compared to men. A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that is characterized by irritation, a yellowish discharge, and increased itchiness from the vagina and vulva. It is also referred to as vaginitis or vaginal candidiasis. Research has revealed that this condition affects up to every 3 to 4 women at some point in their life. A number of these women experience the yeast infection at least two episodes.
Although vaginal yeast is not grouped among sexually transmitted diseases, it can be spread to your partner while you are having sex or in the mouth while kissing. Candida infection can be treated effectively by the use of home remedy or by use of over the counter medications. In case your condition is recurrent, your doctor may advise on a course of longer treatment and maintenance plan.
Yeast Infection in Women Symptoms
As we have said above, yeast infection is very common in females than in males. Normally, a healthy vagina or body has some good bacteria and yeast at a controlled lower level. The good bacteria help in maintaining the yeast in a certain level that is not harmful to the health of a woman.
However, when the balance of good bacteria in the body is interrupted, this allows the yeast to overgrow beyond normal level and therefore resulting in a yeast infection in women.
When yeast has multiplied in the body, you will start to experience some symptoms that are not normal in the affected area. Knowing you are suffering from yeast infection in early stages can helpful when it comes to treating the condition successively. However, yeast infection is normally treated easily and therefore should not be a cause of worry, not unless the symptoms have worsened.
Symptoms of yeast infection in women
There are many symptoms that you may look at when you are suffering from yeast infection in your body. In women, yeast infection does not only take place in the genital area but also in other areas of the body such as under breast, underarms, in the mouth and even between toes and fingers. Some of the signs and symptoms you should look at while dealing with yeast infection in women include the following:
- Itchiness and irritation in the genital area especially in the vaginal lining and vulva
- Sometimes you may experience a burning sensation while having sex or during urination
- Swelling and redness around the vulva
- Soreness that is associated with pain in the vagina
- Vaginal rash
- watery vaginal discharge
- Sometimes thick white, odorless vaginal discharge that looks like a cottage cheese
When does yeast infection in women become a complication?
Yeast infection can result into more complicated issues in some cases. A severe yeast infection will result in symptoms such as increased redness, itchiness and swelling of the vagina that may also cause tears and cracks or sores in the area.
Also, in case you usually have recurrent yeast infection, that is, about four and above times a year then you have a chronic condition which should be addressed in the doctor’s office. Moreover, if your yeast infection is caused by other candida that is not candida albicans, this is not something to take lightly.
If a woman is pregnant and it happens that she is suffering from yeast infection she should not be treated at home.
Yeast Infection in Women Causes
Yeast infection in women is caused by various factors some of which are inside the body while others are external. The factors may vary according to the area of the body undergoing the candida infection. However, yeast infection in women is commonly experienced in the genital area, although other areas such as under breast may be at risk especially when a woman is breast feeding. Treating or controlling the condition that is causing you yeast infection can be the best way to deal with yeast infection.
- Over-use of antibiotics
Research has revealed that some women may get yeast infection after continued use of antibiotics for a long time. There are broad-spectrum antibiotics which kill harmful bacteria in the body, and they may end up also killing the good bacteria that is very helpful in balancing the growth of naturally existing yeast in the body as well. If the good bacteria is tampered with, this will means that yeast is free to grow as much as it can therefore resulting in yeast infection in the vagina.
- Imbalance of estrogen level in the body
Candida infection is also commonly seen in women who are under increased hormonal activities in the body. When the hormones are either at high or low level than required, you may end up with yeast infection. This is why women who are in menopause or perimenopause stage are mostly seen complaining about this condition. Research reveals that estrogen causes the vaginal lining to thin hence increasing the chances to candida infection.
- Use of oral contraceptives
Birth control pills are known to interfere with the normal activities of the estrogen hormone. Therefore will as well result in yeast infection just in the same way menopause or pregnancy period does. In that case you may talk to your gynecologist on the best contraceptive that will not have many side effects on you.
- Uncontrolled diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that affects the normal sugar levels in the blood. Therefore, women who have diabetes are highly affected by yeast infection than those who are not. This is because when blood sugar is higher than the required level, it supplies yeast with more food since it usually feed on sugar thereby overgrowing.
- Poor diet
Some people are known to like foods that are highly rich in sugar and carbohydrates or junk foods. These types of food supply the body with a lot of sugar that is fed on by yeast and therefore allowing it to grow beyond normal. Also, poor diet does not supply the body with the required nutrients that can make it strong when it comes to fighting infections
- Impaired immune system
A weak immune system will not defend you well from infection attack. If your immune has been weakened some diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from corticosteroid therapy, then you will be easily infected with infections such as yeast infection and more other opportunistic infections.
- Sexual activity
Although yeast infection is not categorically a sexually transmitted disease, it can easily be transferred during sex from a male partner to a woman or vice versa. Also, while you kiss during sex, if your partner is suffering from oral thrush you are at risk of getting it more so if you have a weak immune system.
- Poor hygiene
Yeast infection in women skin is likely to develop in warm, moist and dark areas. Therefore if you are a woman who work out or carry any activity that will lead to sweating and you do not take a good shower, you may end up with yeast infection especially in the genitals, underarm and under breast.
- Breast feeding
Mothers who are breast feeding usually have dump areas under their breast due to milk spillage to the area or their child’s saliva. If the area is not cleaned well after the baby has finished feeding, this could lead to development of a rash. Therefore all breast feeding mothers are advised to clean on the areas under breast after feeding their babies.
- Obesity
This is a condition whereby your weight is much more than your height is supposed to carry. In is also referred to being overweight. This condition will result to increased skin folds on the body and sweating due to increased metabolic activities. When those folds are moist, they may encourage yeast infection in women. According to research finding, more than 40% of people in USA are obese. Please try to work out if your weight is causing you trouble.
More researches are being done concerning yeast infection both in women and men. There are other reasons that are being included on the factors that encourage yeast infection that have not been highly supported such as the following:
- Heavy metals or chemical toxicity in the body
- Increased levels of stress
- Lack of sleep at night
How long does a Yeast Infection Last
The period taken by yeast infection in the body of a woman will depend on the severity of the condition. Some people especially those with strong immune system may experience mild symptoms of yeast infection in few days while others may have severe conditions that are sometimes recurring over the course of a year.
Also, the method by which you use to treat yeast infection in women also may affect the period it takes for the condition to heal. For example, there are home remedies that work very well for candida infection while others may not work or may take long to bring relief from the symptoms.
Also, the area that is affected may matter when it comes to the time it takes to heal. When treated, oral thrush may last for 2 to 3 days and it disappears while vaginitis may take up to a week or so while under treatment to heal.
Remember, if home remedies are not working for your condition you should visit your doctor for advice on the best medication you should start using.
How to cure a yeast Infection at Home Fast
There are numerous home remedies that have been used over a long period of time and they have been proven to be helpful. However, in case you have a serious case of yeast infection, whereby you usually have a recurring candida infection at least every four times in a year or the infection has entered the blood stream, you need to see your doctor immediately. We are going to guide you on some of the best home remedies you can use for this condition and how you can use them so that you can achieve a relief for your condition.
Home remedies for yeast infection in women
- Corn starch
Corn starch is usually very helpful when dealing with yeast infection especially in areas such as under breasts, underarm and other areas apart from the vagina. This is because, the overgrown yeast feeds on the corn starch while the affected area continues to heal. You just have to apply the cornstarch powder directly to the affected area for better results.
- Cinnamon oil with coconut oil
The two oils are mixed so that their result is boosted. However, you can use either of the oils independently if you can’t access both of them. Coconut oil is said to be highly rich in antifungal properties that are very active when dealing with yeast related infections on the body or skin. When dealing with yeast infection in women, you are supposed to dilute this oil before using it in your vagina.
- Yogurt
Yogurt can also be applied directly in the vagina to treat vaginitis. In addition to that, you can also add it to your diet by drinking it at least a glass daily to boost on your nutrition. Yogurt contains some good bacteria that can be helpful to bring down overgrown yeast back to normal levels so that you can get relief from the infection.
Note that while using yogurt for yeast infection, it should be a natural one and free from sugar. For vaginal yeast infection, put some yogurt on the tampon and then insert it in the vagina for at least two hours daily until you get some relief.
- Garlic
Garlic is a great remedy that is used in the treatment of numerous infections in the body. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties that are very essential when it comes to dealing with yeast overgrowth and bacterial infections. Make a paste out of garlic and apply it directly to the affected area.
- Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is also an excellent antifungal agent which is helpful while dealing with yeast infections. In case you want to use tea tree oil, you have to mix it with some olive oil or sweet almond oil so that it is slightly diluted. Then rub the mixture directly on the affected area.
For yeast infection in women, you just have to drop some tea tree oil on the tampon before inserting it in the vagina and let it stay there for two to three hours before it is removed every day. Pregnant women are not advised to use this remedy.
- Oregano oil
This oil has antifungal components that area very good in fighting yeast infection. It also boosts your immune system. The oil can be applied directly on the affected area. The oil can be irritating to the skin sometimes and therefore it should be diluted with olive oil before use.
Alternatively you can use one or two capsules of oregano oil at least twice a day.
- Calendula
This is a type of herb that contains antifungal and anti-inflammatory agents that are very essential while dealing with yeast infection in women. To use this remedy you have to crush few leaves of calendula and apply the paste on the affected area directly. You may do this at least thrice a day for better results.
Also, if you drink tea made from calendula leaves, it may help in treating oral thrush. Do not use this remedy in the mouth or vagina if you are pregnant. There is calendula lotion and ointments that are also present in the market and they may be helpful.
How do you get rid of a Yeast Infection
Yeast infection is usually very easy to get rid. You only need to be sure that you are suffering from yeast infection and not something else. If you are not sure of using home remedies, yeast infection in women can be treated successively by use of over the counter medications that can be acquired in the pharmacy. Your chemist may provide prescription on how the drugs should be used. However, the above home remedies that we have discussed have been used over a long period of time and they have been proven successive.
Medical treatment
Maybe to talk about medical treatment, there are a number of treatments that are available for yeast infection in women, ranging from oral drugs, creams, ointments and lotions. The type of medicine you will use will vary with the area on the body you are affected although the medical content is almost the same.
Severe cases of yeast infection in women such as recurrent candida infections, or if the infection has entered the blood stream should be addressed in the doctor’s office.
Apart from treatment, there are other basic practices you should put in place in order to minimize the rate at which you get yeast infections. These may include:
- Maintaining good hygiene
- Treating diabetes
- Reducing weight
- Avoiding stress
- Having protected sexual intercourse
More references
- Yeast infection skin rash treatment: http://www.webmd.com/first-aid/yeast-infection-skin-rash-treatment#1
- Yeast infection skin rash: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/yeast_infection_skin_rash/page7_em.htm
- Candida fungus infection: http://www.healthline.com/health/skin/candida-fungus#overview1