subject: Understanding the Vaginal Yeast Infection Cause [print this page] Do you experience vaginal dryness, soreness, redness, itching and irritation? Do you have vaginal rashes and swelling of the vulva? Do you have a thick, whitish, cottage cheese-like discharge with an obnoxious yeast odor from your vagina? Then you must be suffering from vaginal yeast infection.
Yeast infection is an abnormal or overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast organisms in warm and moist parts of the body like the vagina, mouth, ears, armpits or diaper area. The type of fungal species that is tagged as the most common yeast infection cause is Candida albicans. The common form of candidiasis is vaginal yeast infection (also known as vaginal moniliasis), the main cause of chronic vaginitis in women.
Yeasts are found in the vagina of 20-50% of healthy women. They can overgrow if there is an internal or external factor or condition that upsets the balance in the vaginal environment. Pregnancy, menstruation, diabetes and weak immune system, are among these conditions that make one susceptible to this disease. But the most common predisposing factor in acquiring the infection is antibiotics and steroid use. Antibiotics are used to kill disease-causing bacteria but they also tend to kill the acidophilus bacteria in the vagina. These "good" bacteria, maintains the acid pH of the vagina and prevents yeast overgrowth. Steroids on the other hand, cause yeast to abnormally increase in numbers by creating hormonal fluxes which upsets the balance in the vaginal environment. Clothing that increases heat and moisture in the genital area can also help promote it. Examples of such are tight nylon under wears, thongs, and swimsuits. Lack of sleep, over stress and poor diet can also contribute to Candida albicans proliferating in your vagina.
Though vaginal candidiasis is common in women, you should also be reminded that not everything that itches in your vagina is a yeast infection. There are other sexually transmitted diseases that may resemble the symptoms. Studies have shown that 33% of women who self-medicate have mistreated themselves. Seeing your doctor for proper diagnosis of a yeast infection may result to a better treatment. Yeast infection diagnosis is done through a simple laboratory test known as KOH test. The doctor will perform a vaginal swab to get a sample. The collected sample will be put on a clean microscopic slide with 2-3 drops of 10% KOH (potassium hydroxide) and will be examined immediately under the microscope. If fungal elements are present, then treatment is started.
Doctors prescribe over-the-counter medicated antifungal creams such as clotrimazole (Femcare, Mycelex-G) and miconazole (Monistat7, Monistat3). You just massage these creams into the vagina and surrounding tissues for 1 to 7 days. Doctors may also prescribe certain dosage of oral pills for fast recovery.
Candida albicans, a primary vaginal yeast infection cause is part of our body's normal flora. They can become opportunistic pathogens and cause infections. But by practicing good hygiene and eating maintaining healthy diet, we can keep these yeast fungi at bay and prevent them from harming our body.
