Archive for 'vaginal yeast infections'

Treatment of Vaginal Yeast Inf

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 at 3:20 am  
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Various antifungal vaginal medications are available to treat yeast infection. Women can buy some antifungal creams, tablets, or suppositories (butoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, and tioconazole) over the counter for use in the vagina. But because BV, trichomoniasis, and yeast infection are difficult to distinguish on the basis of symptoms alone, a woman with vaginal symptoms should see her physician for an accurate diagnosis before using these products.

Other products available over the counter contain antihistamines or topical anesthetics that only mask the symptoms and do not treat the underlying problem. Women who have chronic or recurring yeast infections may need to be treated with vaginal creams for extended periods of time. Recently, effective oral medications have become available. Women should work with their physicians to determine possible underlying causes of their chronic yeast infections. HIV-infected women may have severe yeast infections that are often unresponsive to treatment.

Vaginal Yeast Infections or Candidiasis – Symptoms – Diagnosis – Treatment

Reprinted from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

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Tags: diagnosis treatment, severe yeast infections, symptoms diagnosis, antifungal vaginal medications, antifungal creams

Vaginal Itching Causes

Monday, October 17th, 2011 at 5:10 pm  
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Vaginal itching is itching of the vagina and/or the vulvar skin that surrounds the vagina. Almost all females experience vaginal itching at some point in their lives.

The causes of vaginal itching can vary. Here are a few other common ones:

Chemicals in certain products can cause irritation or allergic reaction that can result in itching. Such products include laundry detergent and fabric softeners; bath soaps and deodorants; ointments creams, and lotions; ; and foams and jellies used during intercourse. Vaginal infections, particularly vaginal yeast infections, frequently cause intense symptoms, including vaginal itching. Common causes of vaginal yeast infections include the use of antibiotics or the Pill, sexual intercourse (with or without condom usage), menstruation, pregnancy, diabetes, and a weakened immune system.

Other and (STDs), including bacterial vaginosis (BV), genital herpes, trichomoniasis, and pubic lice, may also be to blame.

Women who have vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina, may also experience , vaginal odor, and inflammation along with their itching. Vaginitis frequently occurs in girls who have not yet reached puberty; however, it’s important to rule out STDs and to determine whether sexual abuse has occurred. Stress is a frequent contributor to the development of many health conditions, including vaginal itchiness. If you’re experiencing stress, learning some stress relieving techniques may help to reduce or prevent vaginal itching. Perimenopausal women approaching menopause and the post-menopause years frequently experience vaginal itching. Menopause-related vaginal itching usually occurs in association with vaginal dryness.

Other possible, but less common, causes of vaginal or vulvar itching include the presence of other skin conditions that may or may not be precancerous, and pinworms — a condition that primarily infects children.

Notify your doctor immediately if you experience vaginal itching accompanied by severe pelvic or lower abdominal pain, and / or a fever.

Sources:

Medline Encyclopedia; Vaginal Itching – Common Causes; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/003159.htm#Common%20Causes; accessed 06/11/09.
Women’s Health.gov; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Frequently Asked Questions; http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/sexually-transmitted-infections.cfm; accessed 06/16/09.

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Tags: menstruation pregnancy, vaginal odor, sexual abuse, condom usage, vaginal discharge

Vaginal Itching

Sunday, October 16th, 2011 at 10:18 pm  
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Vaginal itching can be caused by or infections. If you’re pregnant when you experience vaginal itching, you should know that the most common reason for vaginal itching during pregnancy are the normal changes to the vaginal PH level which can cause topical irritations. Vaginal yeast infections also are notorious for persistent vaginal itching.

Before trying any self-treatments or over-the-counter medications for vaginal itching, especially during pregnancy, you should see your healthcare provider to be sure you don’t have any STDs or STIs. If vaginal itching is found to be caused by the normal PH changes of the vagina that occur during pregnancy, there are a number of self-help treatments that you can try to relieve the itching and lower the PH of the vagina. Vaginal PH can be lowered by taking baking soda baths. You can make a paste of baking soda and water and apply the paste to the area that itches. There is a possibility that having may help due to the lower PH levels of the male semen. Some women find that cold compresses help relieve vaginal itching. Practice good hygiene. Keep the vulvar / vaginal area clean and dry. Always wipe from front to back after a to prevent bacteria from entering the vagina. Don’t use . Use only fragrance-free soaps, laundry detergents, and fabric softeners. Practice good hand washing habits. Wear clothing that is not tight or binding especially in the crotch. Wear white cotton panties and avoid wearing nylon panties or hose that decrease the airflow to the vaginal area. Wear a nightgown with no underwear to encourage airflow to the vagina during the night. Use warm bath water and do not add bubble baths or other fragrant products which can irritate the vagina and urinary tract. Use a bath soap for sensitive skin. Although you might think that Ivory soap is gentle, it is not! In fact, Ivory soap is one of the most drying and thereby itch causing bath soaps on the market. The use of hydrocortisone creams is not usually recommended since it can contribute to the breakdown of the skin, causing continued itching. Lidocaine gel is good for relieving vaginal itching because it is a pure anesthetic. If you have a genital yeast infection, one of the over-the-counter yeast infection creams or vaginal suppositories should quickly relieve the itch, as well as the other symptoms of vaginal yeast infections. Some women find relief from vaginal itching just by using a yeast infection cream externally once or twice a day. To your bath add:

Source:

Vaginitis: Causes and Treatments. ACOG Education Pamphlet.http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp028.cfm. Accessed 08/26.09.

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Tags: http://www.acog.org/publications/patient education/bp028.cfm, vaginal yeast infections, over-the-counter yeast infection, Wear clothing, yeast infection cream

Vaginal Yeast Infections

Sunday, October 16th, 2011 at 7:59 pm  
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Seventy-five percent of all women will experience at least one vaginal yeast infection during her life and many are plagued by recurrent yeast infections. Learning to recognize the symptoms of vaginal yeast infection is vital before women attempt self-treatment.

Symptoms of yeast infection include itching, burning, redness, and irritation of the vaginal area. Severe yeast infections may cause swelling of the vulva and in some cases women experience painful and/or frequent urination which is caused by inflammation of the urinary opening.

Excessive which is thicker than normal, appears whiter and curd-like (almost like cottage cheese) will be apparent in women experiencing vaginal yeast infections. Sexual intercourse may be painful due to the inflammation and dryness of the .

Canidida albicans is a yeast-like fungus that is often found in the mouth, vagina, and intestinal tract; it is a normal inhabitant of humans that usually does not cause any adverse effects. Canidida of the mouth is known as thrush and is often found in infants and people with a variety of health conditions. When canidida is found in the vagina it is known as yeast infection or monilial vaginitis.

Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the normal fungi that lives in the vaginal area. The most common fungi is Canidida albicans. Overgrowth of Canidida is often a result of recent use of antibiotics, or by wearing clothing such as nylon or lycra that traps moisture and heat. Other factors that often contribute to yeast infections include pregnancy, obesity, PMS, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes.

Yeast infections are common among women infected by HIV and women who suffer from recurrent episodes of yeast infection should be tested for HIV infection. Other possible causes include the use of , and consuming large amounts of sugars, starch, and yeasts.

Bacterial vaginitis is a far more prevalent vaginal infection than yeast infection and is characterized by a foul odor which is not present in yeast infection. Untreated bacterial vaginitis can result in pelvic inflammatory disease and lead to future infertility. It is imperative that a woman who is self-treating what she thinks is a yeast infection be positive that her vaginal infection is actually caused by yeast and not some other infection or STD.

Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and herpes can be mistaken for yeast infections because some of the symptoms are similar — there is discharge associated with gonorrhea, and herpes may often cause itching. Unless a woman is absolutely positive that her vaginal infection is yeast, she should seek the advice of her physician before self-treatment begins.

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Tags: self treatment, yeast infections, Sexually transmitted disease, sexual intercourse, vaginal yeast infections

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