Saturday, January 7, 2012

Yeast infections

The vagina is one of the most delicate parts of a woman’s body. It has to be well taken care of as infections down there can cause you a lot of trouble. One of the common infections of the vagina is yeast infection. A good number of women who suffer from this condition are not aware that they are suffering from it. It is imperative that you know the symptoms of this infection in order to get treatment as soon as you can and also know how to prevent it to avoid recurrence. Unlike bacterial vaginosis, the causes of yeast infections are known.

Yeast infections are caused by a type of yeast referred to as Candida albicans. This is found in every person’s abdomen and is actually healthy. However, when this type of yeast overgrows, it gets out of control and causes an imbalance in the intestines. This condition is what is referred to as a yeast infection.

These infections are accompanied by some unrelated symptoms. Lack of sex drive causes the sex life of the infected to dwindle in intensity. You are likely to have physical yeast rashes on the vagina, lack of concentration, skin rashes, bloating, fatigue and constipation.

There are certain things that trigger yeast infections. Using antibiotics excessively causes an uncontrollable growth of yeast. Eating foods rich in high sugar and certain types of carbohydrates serve as food for yeast hence causes it to overgrow. Other causes are a weak immune system and hormonal imbalance.

Preventing this infection is easy. First of all, you need to stop using things that cause the infection. Avoid antibiotics if you can. Ensure that you eat healthy and take the right balance of nutrients and foods. Birth control pills change the hormonal balance of the body. You can use other family planning methods.

Use cotton underwear as it is absorbent. This will ensure that you have the right balance of moisture and temperature around your vagina to prevent overgrowth of yeast and itching. Avoid wearing tight clothing. These cause the area to be damp, allowing fungi to thrive.

Just like when dealing with bacterial vaginosis, avoid douching. When you visit the toilet, wipe yourself from front to back. Keep away from scented tampons, tissue papers and pads as they tend to irritate the skin. In case your inner garments get wet while you work out; ensure that you change them to maintain a dry environment in the vaginal area. For more info see Bacterial Vaginosis