Yeast Infection (in Women and Men)

                               
                                   What is a vaginal yeast infection?

                      Yeast Infection   

A vaginal yeast infection is an infection caused by yeast (a type of fungus). Vaginal yeast infection is sometimes referred to as yeast vaginitis, Candidal vaginitis, or Candidal vulvovaginitis. The scientific name for the yeast that causes vaginitis is Candida. Over 90% of vaginal yeast infections are caused by the species known as Candida albicans. Other Candida species make up the remainder of yeast infections.
Candida species can be present in healthy women in the vagina without causing any symptoms. In fact, it is estimated that 20% to 50% of women have Candida already present in the vagina. For an infection to occur, the normal balance of yeast and bacteria is disturbed, allowing overgrowth of the yeast. While yeast can be spread by sexual contact, vaginal yeast infection is not
 considered to be a sexually-transmitted disease because it can also occur in women who are not sexually active, due to the fact that yeast can be present in the vagina of healthy women.

Yeast Infection Symptoms

The symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are similar among affected women, however, they are not all specific.

Some women may experience symptoms of yeast infection such as:

    Itching (which can be severe)
    Burning and irritation
    Pain during sexual intercourse
    Pain or burning with urination
    Vaginal discharge (whitish-gray, thick, and a consistency similar to cottage cheese)
    Redness, swelling, and itching of the vulva

Read more on the vaginal yeast infection symptoms »

Vaginal yeast infections are very common, affecting up to 75% of women at some point in lifeOther conditions that may predispose women to developing vaginal yeast infections include

    diabetes,
    pregnancy, and
    taking oral contraceptives.

The use of douches or perfumed vaginal hygiene sprays may also increase a woman's risk of developing a vaginal yeast infection.

A vaginal yeast infection is not considered to be a sexually transmitted disease (STD), since Candida may be present in the normal vagina, and the condition does occur in celibate women.

However, it is possible for men to develop symptoms of skin irritation of the penis from a yeast infection after sexual intercourse with an infected partner, although this is not always the case.