The Truth About Vaginal Yeast Infection Exposed

The human body is prone to various types of infections. Most of such infections are short-lived, with no major adverse health hazards. However, certain infections are extremely serious, and can have far-reaching consequences. Yeast infection is one of such extremely grave infection. Yeast infections can leave harmful, undesirable and rather painful results and symptoms indeed, in both the male and female bodies.

The vaginal canal in the female body is proven to be the place where yeasts might grow and thrive. Hence, yeast infections in women are termed vaginal yeast infection. Candida albicans, a fungus (small amounts of which are already present in the vagina) are the root cause of vaginal yeast attacks. Generally, women in their post-menopause years have lower estrogen hormone levels and comparatively thinner vaginal walls. This makes them more vulnerable to infections caused by yeasts.

Studies show that, while 45 per cent of all women can fall prey to multiple yeast infections, as many as 75% women experience vaginal yeast infection, at least once during their lives. Vaginal yeast attacks in fact receive a boost from excessive usage of oral contraceptives, steroids, and antibiotics, and the presence of diabetes and pregnancy-related problems.

Vaginal yeast infections can have extremely serious consequences indeed. If not treated properly, these infections can cause pelvic inflammatory diseases, leading to scars in the fallopian tube, and leading to infertility. Yeast attacks in pregnant women can result in premature delivery and extremely low weight at birth too. In fact, if medical help is not sought urgently, diseases as serious as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and other sexually transmitted diseases can be brought about by vaginal yeast infection.

There are certain distinct symptoms that indicate the presence of vaginal yeast infection. These include the vaginal region being sore and extremely itchy, a thick, white and cheese-like discharge from the vagina, experiencing an acute burning sensation, and when the vaginal openings are touched by urine and extreme discomfort and aching sensation while having an intercourse.

Vaginal yeast infections can attack those women more easily, who are diabetic, or suffer from AIDS or both (since these maladies result in prior weakening of the inherent immune system of the body). Bodily stress in any form, be it from Lack of proper nutritious food, inadequate sleep, pregnancy or excessive consumption of antibiotics also heightens the chances of vaginal yeast infections. A qualified gynecologist needs to be consulted in all cases of vaginal pain/discharge, especially if the affected lady is expecting a baby.

Although vaginal yeast infections occur often, affecting many women, certain preliminary precautionary measures can easily be followed to lower the chances of an yeast attack. These measures include:

Maintaining a clean external genital system, with almost no moistness
Not using Vaginal sprays, douches, bubble baths and other irritation-causing soaps
Changing sanitary napkins, tampons and other related items at lesser time intervals
Wearing loose cotton underwears, instead of tight nylon ones ( this would prevent moisture from being kept inside)
Avoiding intake of excessive antibiotics; preferably, not taking them at all without a doctor’s recommendation
Maintaining blood sugar levels at a steady level (particularly for diabetic patients)
Not remaining in wet clothes; changing into clean, dry ones as soon as possible

Butoconazole (Femstat), clotrimazole (Clotrimaderm, Canesten), miconazole (Monistat, Monazole, Micozole), nystatin (several brand names), tioconazole (GyneCure) and terconazole (Terazole) are some of the medicines that are used to treat vaginal yeast infections. If the affected lady is not pregnant, a single dose of oral fluconazole (Diflucan Oral) also may be used. Most of these are antifungal medicines (in the form of tablets, creams, ointments or suppositories) and are directly inserted in the vagina in order to combat yeast infections.

If the male sex partner shows symptoms of Candida balanitis (i.e. redness, irritation and/or itching at the tip of the penis), he may need to be treated with an antifungal cream or ointment as well. However, most of the medications that are available are recommended for treating infections that relapse, and not when the infection occurs for the first time.

Proper treatment of vaginal yeast infections requires correct diagnoses. Since many symptoms of yeast attacks match those of sexually transmitted maladies, like gonorrhea, chlamydia or trichomoniasis, one should be absolutely certain of the nature of the affliction before starting medical treatment.

Holistic remedies work much better than conventional treatments for vaginal yeast infections. Conventional remedies just treat the symptoms of the disease without really trying to find out what really caused the problem and this is why the symptoms tend to return because the real causes remain within the body. Holistic remedies on the other hand identify the root cause and then fixes them and so, the symptoms of yeast infection never returns.

Linda Allen is a medical researcher, certified nutritionist, health consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, "Yeast Infection No More- Open The Door To a Yeast Infection Free Life". Linda has written dozens of holistic health articles and has been featured in ezines and print magazines, as well as on hundreds of websites worldwide.

To learn more about Linda Allen´s Unique 5-Step Holistic Yeast Infection Cure System, visit: Vaginal Yeast Infection OTC Medicines