My Candida Story

Love cotton, hate synthetics ” that’s the rule if you want to take steps to prevent vaginal yeast infections.

If you’re looking to prevent the discomfort of vaginal yeast infections , be careful about how you dress. You might wonder what clothes could possibly have to do with your efforts to prevent yeast infections ; the answer is a lot. Everything from synthetic fabrics to tight jeans (even pure cotton jeans) to a wet bathing suit can encourage the overgrowth of yeast fungi, resulting in a yeast infection.

Preventing Yeast Infections: The Source of Your Discomfort

“Moisture, warmth, and anything that changes the natural environment of the vagina can set up the perfect conditions for the growth of yeast organisms, which thrive in warm, moist environments,” says Samantha Dunham, MD, a gynecologist at New York university (NYU) Langone Medical Center and assistant professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine in New York City.

The result could be itching and burning, the classic symptoms of a yeast infection .

Fortunately, dressing to prevent a yeast infection isn’t difficult.

Preventing Yeast Infections: Fashion Makeover Ahead

Follow these suggestions from Dr. Dunham to help reduce your risk of getting a yeast infection:

Wear cotton underwear. Cotton wicks moisture away from the skin, discouraging yeast growth, so choose cotton panties as often as possible.

Avoid underwear made of:

Other synthetic materials

These fabrics trap moisture and heat, providing a breeding ground for yeast. Cotton and other natural fibers “breathe,” allowing moisture to evaporate.

Limit how often you wear pantyhose. Resist wearing pantyhose, tights, or leggings every day; again, these fabrics can cause heat and moisture to build up in the crotch area. When you do wear pantyhose, be sure to wear cotton panties underneath, and choose pantyhose with a cotton crotch.

Avoid clothing that’s too tight. Wearing tight garments, especially in summer’s heat, can cause excessive warmth and moisture, allowing yeast to proliferate and inviting yeast infection symptoms. Steer clear of clothes that are tight in the crotch, such as:

Body shapers and panty girdles

Spandex shorts

Tight jeans

The ideal outfit for hot, humid weather is a sundress worn without pantyhose and with cotton underwear.

Be conscientious about sleepwear, too. To prevent yeast infections, it’s important to choose the right clothing even at bedtime. Avoid snug-fitting pajamas ” a loose, flowing nightgown is preferable. Dunham also suggests going without underwear while you sleep to keep your genital area dry and to discourage yeast growth.

Change out of exercise wear as soon as possible. The synthetic fabrics of workout clothes can also easily trap moisture. Sweaty clothes may provide enough moisture for yeast to grow, so switch into dry clothes as soon as you’re done exercising. After swimming, change into dry clothes rather than lounging in your wet bathing suit. If you’re going on a lake or beach vacation, Dunham recommends bringing several swimsuits so you’ll always have a dry one to put on.

Wash your clothes with additive-free laundry products. Laundry detergent with scents and dyes can cause irritation when the laundered clothes come in contact with delicate skin. “Irritation can encourage yeast to grow,” says Dunham. To prevent this, choose additive-free laundry soaps, conditioners, and fabric softeners, whether sheets or liquid. (For the same reasons, avoid scented toilet paper, deodorant tampons and pads, and all douches .)

With a little forethought when choosing and caring for clothing, you’ll reduce the risk of bothersome vaginal yeast infections and be much more comfortable all around.

Discover The Permanent Cure for Yeast Infections Here —-

They come in different types and treatment durations, but over-the-counter yeast infection medications, while convenient, are only effective for a true yeast infection.

It wasn’t long ago that yeast infection medications required a prescription. This was particularly frustrating for many women who had experienced yeast infections in the past and knew the cause of their symptoms, but still had to see a doctor for a prescription.

Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved over-the-counter yeast infection treatments, getting what you really need isn’t always as simple as heading to your local pharmacy.

Yeast Infection Medications: Potential Problems

Although non-prescription yeast infection treatments have made life easier for millions of women, they have also caused some problems. Since these medications have become available over the counter, up to two-thirds of women have used them when they didn’t have yeast infections at all, studies have found. This misuse may lead to the development of drug-resistant yeast in the vagina, and can also keep a more serious vaginal infection from being treated properly.

Yeast Infection Medications: How to Choose

Women are supposed to have a certain amount of yeast in their vaginas as part of the natural environment, or flora. But for various reasons, the yeast level isn’t always kept in check and it can grow and spread, causing the infection’s hallmark symptoms of itching, burning, and white discharge.

If you’re certain that what you have is a yeast infection, the next step is choosing the right product. Yeast infection medications are available in one-day, three-day, and seven-day formulas. According to Bona E. Benjamin, BS Pharm, of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists in Bethesda. Md.. “The treatments are very effective and patients should begin to experience relief from symptoms in a few days. However, it’s important to finish all the medication as recommended in the instructions on the package.”

Benjamin also cautions that “if the medication doesn’t appear to be working, the infection may not be yeast, and the patient should consult her physician.”

Yeast Infection Medications: What’s on the Shelf

To treat a yeast infection, you need an anti-fungal medication. Over-the-counter medications used for yeast infections fall in the anti-fungal class of medications and are available as intravaginal creams, tablets, or suppositories. These include:

Monistat (miconazole nitrate)

Gyne-Lotrimin or Mycelex (clotrimazole vaginal)

Femstat (butoconazole vaginal)

Vagistat-1, Monistat-1 (tioconazole)

Many of these brands also market creams and wipes that can help relieve the discomfort caused by a yeast infection , though they do not treat the infection itself.

Yeast Infection Medications: Ask Your Pharmacist

Since all the yeast infection medications on the market have been proven effective, choosing the yeast infection treatment that’s right for you is really about personal preference. Your selection may depend on how long you want to use a treatment, whether you prefer a cream or suppository, and how convenient the product is to use.

If you’re having a hard time deciding, ask your pharmacist for help. Think of your pharmacist as a medication expert who can answer your questions or help you find additional information.

If you use condoms, a diaphragm, or both, tell the pharmacist when discussing the different types of yeast infection medications; some of the creams can weaken latex and make your barrier method of birth control less effective.

Yeast infection treatments are easily available and very effective for most women who have a yeast infection. But remember that if you aren’t 100 percent sure your condition is a yeast infection or if the treatment you try doesn’t work, you may have a different infection and should see your doctor for a diagnosis.

Discover The Permanent Cure for Yeast Infections Here —-

Three out of four women will have a vaginal infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast at some point in their lives. Here’s what you need to know about these common infections.

If you’ve ever had a vaginal yeast infection , you’re probably very familiar with the burning, itching, and discharge that they cause. A vaginal yeast infection, also called candida vaginitis or vulvovaginal candidiasis, is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the vagina.

What Is a Yeast Infection?
A yeast infection can develop in any part of the body. When it affects the feet, it’s called athlete’s foot. If it develops in the mouth, it’s known as thrush . A vaginal yeast infection is usually caused by a type of yeast known as Candida albicans . If yeast begins to grow out of control, it causes a vaginal infection, leading to symptoms that can make a woman extremely uncomfortable.

Keep in mind that a vaginal infection caused by yeast is not a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Why Vaginal Yeast Infections Occur
There’s nothing abnormal about yeast in and of itself. “Yeast normally lives all over our bodies; in our vaginas, mouths, intestines, and on the skin,” notes Rosanna Gray-Swain, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist in St. Louis, Mo. “Yeast usually lives in harmony with bacteria to establish a healthy environment and a barrier to more dangerous infections.”

Problems occur with yeast when the acid balance in the vagina changes. Your body needs a higher acidic level to help keep yeast in check. If the acidity level drops, yeast has a chance to grow and spread. When this happens, a symptomatic yeast infection develops.

Vaginal infections caused by yeast are very common. In fact, women who haven’t had a yeast infection are in the minority ” three out of four women will experience a yeast infection at some point in their lives. What’s more, 50 percent of women will experience more than one.

Common Causes of Vaginal Yeast Infections
These are the most common sources of a disruption in the vaginal environment that can lead to a yeast infection:

Your menstrual period

Birth control pills

Antibiotics

Weakened immune system

Douching

Feminine hygiene sprays

Perfumed pads or tampons

Tight, poorly ventilated underwear that promotes and retains moisture

Vaginal Yeast Infection Treatment
Vaginal infections caused by yeast usually need to be treated with anti-fungal medications. These medications are available in a cream or vaginal suppository form, or as a pill that is taken by mouth. Once available only by prescription, many yeast infection treatments are now sold over the counter in drug stores. However, it’s usually a good idea to be seen by your ob-gyn before you treat a yeast infection, especially if it’s the first time you’ve ever experienced yeast infection symptoms.

“There is no one ‘right’ therapy for everyone in every situation,” explains Dr. Gray-Swain. “The vagina is a great self-treating system and usually responds to temporary [irregularities] in the [vagina] without bothering us. If a woman is mildly symptomatic and generally healthy and the yeast overgrowth is mild, I’ll often have her wait a few days to a week before beginning [medical] therapy.”

Yeast infections are a very common problem for many women. Understanding the possible causes ” and the choices you can make to help reduce the chances of developing a yeast infection ” can help keep them to a minimum.

Discover The Permanent Cure for Yeast Infections Here —-

Yeast infections often lead to unpleasant symptoms such as vaginal itching and swelling. Find out the best treatments for fast relief.

Ask a woman what the worst thing is about having a yeast infection, and chances are she’ll answer that it’s the unbearable vaginal itching. Symptoms of a yeast infection can include vulval and vaginal itching, burning, redness, and a white discharge, but it’s usually the itching that women remember most.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a yeast infection and have begun treatment, you may still feel vaginal itching for a while as the medication begins to work. This can be uncomfortable enough to affect your daily activities, so women often look for other ways to manage the itch.

Medical Treatment for Vaginal Yeast Infections

Many of the over-the-counter anti-fungal treatments used to treat vaginal yeast infections include a cream for you to apply over the affected areas. This medication usually contains the same ingredient as the vaginal cream, and helps to kill any overgrowth of yeast in the surrounding genital membranes. Some prescription versions of anti-fungal creams may include steroids to help reduce swelling and inflammation as well. If you’ve tried some non-prescription remedies and haven’t found much relief, you may want to ask your doctor if taking an antihistamine in pill form could help with your vaginal itching.

Home Remedies for Vaginal Yeast Infections

Over the years, many women have come up with many yeast infection home remedies such as using yogurt or vinegar douches to help manage yeast infections and the associated vaginal itching. But Rosanna Gray-Swain, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist in St. Louis, Mo., discourages the use of many of these so-called remedies.

To lessen the discomfort of vaginal itching, Dr. Gray-Swain recommends a variety of options, including applying a cool washcloth over the vulva while sitting on the toilet; using a light fan directed at the vulva while lying down; applying a chilled ice pack to the vulva; and switching to mild soaps to avoid further irritation. She also instructs women to avoid the temptation to scratch, as this can cause microscopic tears in the vaginal skin that could lead to other problems ” and it doesn’t really help anyway.

Another common remedy used to help relieve the discomfort of a yeast infection is taking a sitz bath. A sitz bath involves filling a special basin with water and placing it over a toilet seat so that any water overflow goes into the toilet bowl. Using the sitz bath, you can bathe your genital area with cool, soothing water, adding Epsom salts if you like. You can also squirt the area with clean water from a water bottle.

Yeast Infections: What to Avoid

Just as you want relief while you have a yeast infection, it’s also important to take steps to keep symptoms from getting worse. Start by avoiding all scented hygiene products, scented toilet tissue, and bubble baths. Wear cotton panties that “breathe” and don’t trap moisture the way synthetic fabrics do. If you go swimming or work out, change into dry clothes as soon as possible. Following this advice can also help you avoid getting yeast infections in the future.

It may be a good idea to avoid sexual intercourse while you have a yeast infection if you feel any discomfort or if you’re using a vaginal cream or suppository as part of your treatment. That’s because the penis may push out the medicated cream, and condoms and diaphragms could become damaged by the chemicals in these products. If you do have sex, you may want to use a water-soluble lubricant to lessen any discomfort.

The upside: If you’re receiving the right treatment for your yeast infection, the vaginal itching should go away as the medication begins to work.

Discover The Permanent Cure for Yeast Infections Here —-

If your vaginal itching and burning are gone, then your treatment was probably successful. But yeast infection medication may not work if not used exactly as prescribed.

The vaginal itching that comes with yeast infections can make you miserable ” after all, it’s not an easily relieved itch. Women who get frequent yeast infections may be able to catch them and treat them on their own before they become too uncomfortable, but if it’s your first one, you may not have realized what the discomfort was until it was too late.

Once your doctor has determined that your vaginal itching is caused by a yeast infection, she will likely prescribe a yeast infection medication . This could be a cream or ointment, a vaginal suppository, or a pill.

Yeast Infection Medication: Follow Directions

Human nature being what it is, many of us don’t always follow directions exactly as we should. While not closing a cereal box correctly or skimping on laundry soap may not be serious issues, following instructions regarding medical treatment is really important. And that means using up all your medication when your doctor tells you to, even if you feel like you don’t need it anymore.

Just as important as using medication as directed is not using it inappropriately. With the ease of buying over-the-counter yeast infection medications , researchers have found that up to two-thirds of the products are being used by women who have vaginal itching but don’t actually have yeast infections.

Yeast Infection Medication: Making Sure It Works

If you know you have a yeast infection, you can increase the chances that your yeast infection medication will work effectively by following a few simple rules:

Tell your doctor if you’re menstruating because he or she may want to prescribe treatment with a pill rather than a cream.

Don’t use tampons if you’re menstruating.

Avoid bubble baths and hot tubs while being treated.

Change out of wet bathing suits and exercise clothing as quickly as possible.

Don’t use feminine hygiene products, douches, or scented pads or toilet tissue.

Use the medication as frequently as recommended and for the entire length of time recommended.

Yeast Infection Medication: Is the Infection Gone?

Now that you’ve completed your yeast infection treatment, how can you tell if the infection is really gone? The itching and discomfort may have stopped, but should you go for another doctor’s appointment to check? Rosanna Gray-Swain, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist in St. Louis, Mo., says in most cases, that’s not necessary. “The best indication that treatment was successful is [the disappearance] of symptoms. If the symptoms have resolved, rarely does a woman need to return to her doctor to ‘check’ that the infection is gone.”

Yeast Infection Medication: What About Home Tests?

Yeast lives naturally in your vagina and plays a role in helping to keep infections at bay. But the amount of yeast is kept in check by a healthy level of vaginal acidity, or pH balance. If there’s not enough acid, the yeast begins to multiply and spread, causing the symptoms ” such as vaginal itching ” of a yeast infection.

Home tests have been developed for many health issues, from detecting signs of colon cancer to pregnancy. There are also tests that help determine the acid, or pH, balance in your vagina.

Some women may feel more comfortable knowing that their vaginal acidity level is back to normal after a yeast infection, but even if your pH level is off, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a yeast infection. A number of issues could alter the vagina’s acidic environment.

In the end, the best way to ensure that you stay yeast infection-free is to properly deal with the one you may have now: Make sure it’s a yeast infection, treat it properly, precisely follow your medication instructions, and make lifestyle choices that help prevent yeast infections from developing.

Discover The Permanent Cure for Yeast Infections Here —-

Women living with HIV, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, or any other condition that taxes the immune system know that yeast infections can be a frequent problem. Here’s how to manage them.

Yeast naturally exists in different parts of the body, including the mouth, digestive tract, and genital area. A healthy immune system works to keep this yeast ” the most common type being Candida albicans ” balanced.

However, for many reasons, the environment in these areas of the body can change, allowing the yeast to multiply, which can cause a yeast infection . This situation is especially difficult if you have a weakened immune system from a chronic illness or other medical condition. If you can’t fight off infections as easily as a healthy person, getting a yeast infection can be more problematic.

Who Is at Risk for Yeast Infections?

You may have a weakened immune system and be more susceptible to a vaginal yeast infection if you:

Are undergoing treatment for cancer

Are HIV positive, particularly if you meet the criteria for AIDS. People with advanced HIV infections are also susceptible to a yeast infection of the mouth, called oral thrush , and to other fungal infections.

Are taking certain medications for chronic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease . People who take biologic drugs known as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers for rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease are more susceptible to fungal infections, of which a yeast infection is one, because TNF blockers suppress the immune system. In 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered stronger warnings about the risk of fungal infection on the labels of the TNF blockers Cimzia (certolizumab pegol), Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab).

Have type 2 diabetes. “However, if you can get your sugar levels under control, the yeast infections generally improve as well,” says Cynthia Krause, MD, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Weight loss often helps control blood sugar levels.

Yeast Infections: Don’t Guess ” Get It Confirmed

Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection can include itching and burning in the vaginal area and a thick, white discharge. But sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) also can cause vaginal discharge and it is important that women, especially those with compromised immune systems, talk to their health care provider at the onset of such symptoms.

If the patient is immuno-compromised, she should be examined to make sure her symptoms are due to a yeast infection,” Dr. Krause says. “If the symptoms are not responding [to treatment] or are recurring, a culture can be done to confirm the findings.”

Yeast can develop a resistance to medications when they are overused. So it is important that the diagnosis be accurate when treating with over-the-counter medications.

Yeast Infections: Be Aware of Drug Interactions

In healthy people, occasional yeast infections are generally treated with over-the-counter suppositories and creams. If the local treatments don’t help, a systemic medication, the anti-fungal drug Diflucan (fluconazole), can be prescribed. It can be taken orally or given intravenously.

“However, Diflucan can interact with other medications,” says Krause. Diflucan can increase, decrease, or otherwise alter their effects. Be sure to tell the doctor treating your yeast infection about any other medications, vitamins, minerals, or herbal products that you’re taking, especially if you are on:

Blood thinners

Drugs for diabetes

Ulcer medications

Certain antibiotics

If you have HIV/AIDS or are being treated for other chronic conditions, be sure to check with the other doctors on your medical team before taking Diflucan.

The take-away message here is that women with weakened immune systems cannot take a yeast infection lightly. Don’t self-diagnose ” do your best to facilitate communication between the doctor who is treating the yeast infection and any other doctors treating you for your other conditions. This is the smartest way to keep yeast infections, and your other medical conditions, under control.

Discover The Permanent Cure for Yeast Infections Here —-

Most women will experience a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lives. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step to getting treatment.

It’s a feeling that many women recognize right away: the vaginal itching and burning that accompanies a vaginal infection likely caused by yeast.

Yeast infections are a very common form of vaginal infection , but even if you’ve had one before, how can you really be sure that you’re experiencing yeast infection symptoms rather than symptoms of another type of vaginal infection altogether?

Vaginal Yeast Infection Symptoms

Not all women exhibit noticeable symptoms when they have a yeast infection, especially if the infection is mild. However, typical yeast infection symptoms include:

Itching in the vaginal area and around the vulva (the opening of the vagina)

Burning in the vaginal area

Swelling of the vulva

White/gray vaginal discharge that may be thick (sometimes described as looking like cottage cheese)

Burning during urination

Pain with sexual intercourse

Most vaginal yeast infections do not produce a strong vaginal odor; a fishy odor is more common with bacterial infections.

Vaginal Infection: The Pitfalls of Self-Diagnosis

As straightforward as it might seem, most doctors will discourage you from diagnosing and treating a yeast infection yourself . This is because vaginal infections caused by bacteria, as well as some sexually transmitted infections, may have symptoms very similar to those caused by yeast, but they require different treatments.

Since yeast infection treatments have become available over the counter, many women simply opt to visit the closest drugstore and buy an anti-fungal cream. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost two thirds of these products are being bought and used by women who think they have a vaginal yeast infection but actually don’t.

This misdiagnosis of vaginal infections is an important issue. Just as some bacteria are becoming resistant to certain antibiotics, yeast that normally lives in the vagina can become resistant to anti-fungal medications. If this happens, it can become very difficult to treat a yeast infection when one actually does develop.

Because of this, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that, for a first episode of a possible yeast infection, women should see a physician to get a proper diagnosis. If a woman has had a physician-diagnosed yeast infection in the past and feels certain that her current symptoms are caused by a yeast infection, it’s reasonable to ask her doctor about self-treatment with an over-the-counter medication. However, if symptoms don’t improve or they come back again, an office visit is warranted.

Vaginal Infection: What Doctors Look For

At your doctor’s office, you’ll be asked about your symptoms and possibly about your overall health. A gynecological exam will be done so your doctor can check for redness, swelling, discharge, and odor.

As Rosanna Gray-Swain, MD, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist in St. Louis, Mo., explains, “Vaginal yeast and bacterial infections are both common and difficult to diagnose based on symptoms. Both cause discharge and itching, plus or minus an odor. To determine the type of infection, the doctor takes a sample of discharge from the vagina and looks at it on a slide under a microscope to directly look for the yeast or bacteria. Rarely, a special culture needs to be sent to the lab.”

Once the cause of your infection is accurately determined, you’ll be on your way to getting the right treatment and, more importantly, relief.

Discover The Permanent Cure for Yeast Infections Here —-