Vaginal Yeast Infections

When Juanita was diagnosed with strep throat, her doctor prescribed
an antibiotic to treat the infection. Juanita started to feel better
soon after she took the medication — the pain in her throat subsided and
her temperature returned to normal. But then she noticed an unusual
discharge in her underwear. To make things worse, her vaginal area felt
very itchy.

Juanita told her mom what was going on, and her mom took her back to
the doctor's office. There, Juanita found out she had a yeast infection.
Although she'd had been nervous about seeing a doctor for such a
personal reason, she was relieved to find out that diagnosing and
treating a yeast infection is simple and painless.

What Is a Yeast Infection?



A yeast infection, also known as candidiasis (pronounced: can-dih-die-uh-sis), is the name for a common infection caused by a yeast called candida albicans (a type of fungus).

Yeast infections usually occur in warm, moist parts of the body, such
as the mouth and moist areas of skin. When they cause an infection in
the vagina, it is known as vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Candida can overgrow for many reasons. Stress, pregnancy,
and illnesses that affect the immune system may allow yeast to multiply,
as can certain medicines. These include some birth control pills and
steroids. Or if you're taking antibiotics, such as for strep throat, the
antibiotics can kill "good" bacteria that also live in the body and
normally keep the growth of candida in the vagina in check.
Yeast also can flourish if a girl's blood sugar is high. Girls who have
diabetes that isn't controlled are at a higher risk for yeast
infections.

Many girls find that yeast infections tend to show up right before
they get their periods because of the hormonal changes that come with
the menstrual cycle. Clothing (especially underwear) that is too tight
or made of materials like nylon that trap heat and moisture might lead
to yeast infections because yeast can thrive in this type of
environment. And douching and using scented sanitary products can upset
the healthy balance of bacteria in the vagina and make yeast infections
more likely.

Yeast infections can happen to any girl, and they're not related to
having sex — although they occasionally can be spread from one sexual
partner to the other. This is quite rare, though, and the partner of
someone who has a yeast infection does not automatically have to be
treated. Yeast infections that are spread through sex are not considered
a sexually transmitted disease (STD). A doctor won't be able to tell
how you got a yeast infection, but will be able to tell you if you
really have one, and if so, how to treat it.What Are the Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?



Common signs and symptoms of yeast infections include:

• itching and irritation in the vagina
  
• redness, swelling, or itching of the vulva (the folds of skin outside the vagina)
  
• a thick, white discharge that can look like cottage cheese and is usually odorless, although it might smell like bread or yeast
  
• pain or burning when urinating or during sex
  

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor or gynecologist.
It's easy to confuse the symptoms of a yeast infection with those of
some STDs and other vaginal infections. Your doctor can give you the
right diagnosis.

Do Guys Get Yeast Infections?



Guys don't get vaginal yeast infections, but balanitis (pronounced: bal-uh-nie-tis), an infection of the head of the penis, can be caused by the same candida
that causes infections in girls. Guys who have diabetes are more prone
to this infection. A guy who gets balanitis may not have any symptoms or
the tip of the penis may become red and sore or itchy. Some guys might
have a slight discharge as well.

Guys who are not circumcised need to take extra care to clean
properly beneath their foreskins. The warm, moist folds of the foreskin
are the perfect environment for yeast to thrive. Keeping the area clean
and dry may help prevent an infection, but if symptoms do show up, a
trip to the doctor will solve the problem.How Can I Prevent Yeast Infections?



What you wear — or don't wear — can help you avoid a yeast infection.
Yeast grows best in a warm, moist environment: think wet bathing suits,
tight jeans, and stretchy exercise gear. Nylon underwear, pantyhose,
and other synthetic materials that trap moisture also make yeast
infections more likely.

Some girls may react to certain dyes or perfumes in soaps, bath gels
or lotions, sanitary products, and laundry detergents. When the reaction
causes irritation, that can set the stage for a yeast infection. Your
best bet is to steer clear of perfumed products and to use mild and
fragrance-free products when possible.

To help keep your vaginal area dry, try switching to all-cotton
underwear and make sure you carefully dry off after you shower. If you
can, wear cotton underwear to bed or don't wear any, and always wash and
thoroughly dry your underwear before wearing them. Don't lounge around
in a wet bathing suit and avoid jeans or pantyhose that are too tight.

Don't take leftover antibiotics or someone else's antibiotics if you
think you have an infection. Only take antibiotics when and how they're
prescribed for you. And if you have diabetes, make sure you keep your
blood sugar levels under control.

Do I Need to See a Doctor?



Treating a yeast infection is simple. But it's still important to
visit your doctor for the right diagnosis, since other infections can
cause similar symptoms but require different treatments. Your doctor
might take a urine sample — to rule out a urinary tract infection — and
some discharge from your vagina to examine under a microscope.

If you do have a yeast infection, your doctor will probably prescribe
a pill to swallow or a vaginal cream or suppository. When you get home,
follow all the directions on the package carefully. A suppository will
come with an applicator to help you place the medicine inside your
vagina, where it can begin to work.

All of these types of medication can clear up your symptoms in a
couple of days and cure the infection within a week. It's important that
you take the medicine for the whole time that your doctor prescribes.
If you stop taking it too soon, the infection could come back.

The doctor may also prescribe a cream you can apply around the vagina
to relieve itching. Some of these creams are available without a
prescription in your local drugstore, but you shouldn't just buy a cream
if you think you have a yeast infection. It's important to see a doctor
for your diagnosis, because if you actually have another type of
infection the problem could get worse if it is not properly treated.
Also, over-the-counter medicine should not be used by anyone who is
under 12 or pregnant.

Yeast infections can be annoying, especially if they happen
regularly. To help avoid them, follow your doctor's advice, wear cotton
underwear, and try to wear loose-fitting clothes. Your body will thank
you.