What Is A Yeast Infection And What Are The Symptoms?

Yeast infections can be extremely common. At some point in their lives seventy-five percent of women will experience a yeast infection. But, not every suspected case of a yeast infection turn out to be what is initially thought, so it is vital to answer this question, "What is a yeast infection and what are the symptoms?"



What is most commonly thought of as a yeast infection is also called vaginal thrush or vaginal candidiasis. This type of yeast infection is an infection of the vaginal mucous membranes by a species of single-celled fungus, or yeast, called Candida albicans. This yeast is normally found as part of the vaginal microflora, and is usually harmless when its numbers are kept in check. However, if the volume of Candida cells increase dramatically due to remedy for yeast infection could become necessary.



There are a number of conditions that can lead to a yeast infection, including: poorly-controlled diabetes, hormones involved in pregnancy and taking antibiotics. As many as a third of women on antibiotics develop a yeast infection. Both non-pathagenci and pathogenic bacteria can be affected by antibiotics, and without the normal vaginal bacteria present, the Candida yeast can multiply and cause a yeast infection.



There are a number of symptoms associated with a yeast infection including, itchiness of the vulva, soreness and inflammation, painful urination, painful sexual intercourse, and vaginal discharge. Generally the discharge does not have a smell. If there is a strong smell to the discharge, the infection might be bacterial in origin and not a yeast infection. The discharge may appear clear and thin, or white and thick.



Yeast infections are very common, however, bacterial vaginosis is even more common, and the infections have similar symptoms. A large number of women making use of a natural remedy for yeast infection actually have a mixed-type or bacterial infection, and the anti-fungal medications used for treating yeast infections are ineffective for bacterial vaginosis. In order to determine whether the infection is bacterial or fungal you can use one of the readily available screening kits.



The Candida yeast can also cause infections to other parts of the body, generally mucosal membranes such as the oral cavity, esophagus, and bladder. It's also possible for men to contract a genital yeast infection, however, this is sometimes asymptomatic. These conditions are also treated with anti-fungal medications. The yeast is usually kept in check by the immune system, but in patients with AIDS and other diseases that compromise the immune system, the yeast infection can become systemic.





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