What Is a Yeast Infection?

A vaginal yeast infection, stage make known candida vaginitis or vulvovaginal candidiasis, is a vaginal infection resulting from the overgrowth of yeast (a type of fungus).

Yeast infections are most commonly caused by the fungus Candida albicans, but are furthermore infrequently caused by optional add-on Candida species, including C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and C. krusei.

Up to 75 percent of women will profit a vaginal yeast infection at least as well as in their lives, and 40 to 50 percent of women will experience more than one infection, according to a 2007 article in the medical journal The Lancet. What's more, 5 to 8 percent of women anxiety from recurrent or chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis, wherein they come the length of like four or more yeast infections in a single year.

Though the term "yeast infection" is most often used to dispatch to a vaginal infection, it with applies to accessory types of candidiasis. A yeast infection of the mouth is called thrush, or oropharyngeal candidiasis. A yeast infection of the skin  which typically occurs in hot, watery areas, such as the armpits and groin  is called cutaneous candidiasis.

And if Candida gets into the bloodstream, such as from using a dirty intravenous catheter, the yeast can cause a deadly infection called invasive candidiasis.

Symptoms of Yeast Infections

If you have a vaginal yeast infection, you may experience one or more of the bearing in mind symptoms:

An itching and on the subject of fire sensation in the vaginal place
Painful urination
White or grey vaginal release that may be slightly moist, or thick and chunky considering cottage cheese
Pain during vaginal sex
Redness and boil of the vulva
Men, particularly those who are uncircumcised, can profit a form of penile yeast infection called candidal balanitis. These infections usually spring happening in men who have unprotected sex when a woman who has a yeast infection, though it's not considered a sexually transmitted complaint because it can in addition to build in the absence of sexual bustle.

Symptoms of a yeast infection in men most often be the length of a red rash in the region of the order of the penis and an itching or active sensation regarding the tip of the penis.

Causes of Yeast Infections

Candida albicans and to the fore movement Candida species are a sufficient share of the microbiome  the community of microorganisms that alive inside our bodies and upon our skin.Candida fungi isolated cause an infection gone something throws off the insert together amid the various members of your microbiome, causing Candida numbers to accretion, such as:


Pregnancy
Certain medications, including birth control pills, antibiotics, and steroids
Immune-suppressing diseases, including HIV
Diabetes
Obesity
Stress and nonattendance of nap, which can weaken the immune system
Additionally, pardon lifestyle habits may plus meet the expense of the accretion of Candida, including:

Eating a diet high in sugar (a yeast food source)
Using scented soaps, bubble baths, and feminine sprays
Douching, IUD use
Maintaining poor vaginal hygiene
Wearing clothing that keeps the vaginal place hot and soppy, such as synthetic underwear, pajama bottoms, and tight jeans or spandex
Yeast Infections During Pregnancy

Yeast infections are a common occurrence during pregnancy, once "the micro atmosphere of the vagina changes to some extent in right of right of entry to the estrogen levels," explains Gregory R. Moore, MD, MPH, an obstetrician-gynecologist and director of the University Health Service at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

Yeast likes admiring, watery, airless environments. Being pregnant and wearing retain hose or constrictive clothing can make the vaginal mood altogether one of the more affectionate, moist, and dark, encouraging yeast to ensue, Dr. Moore says.

If you experience deviant vaginal discharge during pregnancy, you should see your doctor to exclude bacterial vaginosis or sexually transmitted infections rather than believe it is a yeast infection. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis will not firm to treatments for vaginitis and can cause complications during the pregnancy.

The safest treatments for yeast infections during pregnancy are suppositories and vaginal creams. Pregnant women and women who are nursing should not bow to an oral prescription medication for yeast infections taking into account Diflucan (fluconazole), as they have not been proven safe.

"There has not been passable human-pregnancy data to make a decision one habit or other upon the effect of oral not supportive of-fungal medications upon the fetus," Dr. Moore says.

While yeast infections generally don't put a pregnancy at risk, they can be deeply uncomfortable. If you think you have a vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy, it should be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

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