At first, what geared me up putting ink into paper and led to having paragraphs and pages, we have to define the term above, vaginal yeast infection.
What is vaginal yeast infection?
For proper breaking down of the compound word, some terms will be elucidated. These are:
Vaginal: it is an adjective which means, any situation that relates to, or affecting the genital vagina; of relating to a theca – vaginal in a sentence. While vagina means, the opening passage that leads from the vulva to the cervix.
Yeast: it is a fungus that has habitat in the vagina and usually in small numbers.
Thus, vaginal yeast infection means the outrageous development/growth of many fungi cells (yeast cells) in their habitat (vagina).
What are other scientific terms used to refer to vaginal yeast infection?
It is sometimes refer to as yeast vaginitis, candida vaginitis, or candida vulvovaginitis. However, either of the terms called, it still refers to the well known vaginal yeast infection.
What is the nomenclature for yeast?
It is called candida. This is why it is sometimes termed candida vaginitis instead of yeast vaginitis. However, candida albicans of the candida species causes almost 90% of candida vaginitis in women while other types make up the remainder for causes of it. But naturally, candida is a normal habitant in the vagina as previously noted but become infection through too many cells multiplication.
Is vaginal yeast infection sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
Capital NO! This is because a woman who is a virgin can have it, in fact, many woman who are not sexually active such as celibates have been reported to have contracted vaginal yeast infection at a particular point in time.
However, this does not mean sexual contact can not spread it, it can. Even men who were reported to have yeast infection contracted it through sexual intercourse with infected sexual partners.
How did vaginal yeast infection occurs?
As previously stated, it occurs by loss of control over yeast cells’ multiplication. But there must be a cause for that multiplication? If not, why does it affect some and did not affect all? If not, why could a normal habitant causes an infection?
Answers to these questions are, there is a combination of two habitants in the vagina and the first is known, candida, and the second and last is bacteria. They maintain balance. The bacteria called lactobacillus keeps growth of candida cells in check. However, when an imbalance in a woman’s system occurs, these bacteria will lose their power to control the growth and then, the woman will be susceptible to vaginal yeast infection.
What are the factors that cause vaginal yeast infection?
It is known that imbalance leads to yeast infection but what are the factors that cause imbalance and make the immune system susceptible to the infection. There are several factors that could lead to it and these are;
Antibiotic: it eradicates the lactobacillus,
Immunosuppressive drugs: virtually suppress the immune system and create room for:
infection
Injury to the inner vagina
Poor eating habits especially where sucrose is being majorly consumed
Imbalance in the hormones near the menstrual cycle
Insomnia
Chronic diabetes
Pregnancy
Oral contraceptives
Symptoms of vaginal yeast infection?
Symptoms of candida vaginitis infection are:
Odourless vaginal discharge of a whitish-thick nature (aligned with blood in some cases),
Itching around the vulva,
Swelling of vulva,
Burning,
Intense irritation,
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Preventive measures of vaginal yeast infection.
As long as we are concern, a practice of personal and general good genital hygiene are effective in preventing candida vulvovaginitis. These include;
Keep the vulva clean
Wearing underwear which makes genital dry
Wearing loose clothe
Keeping the genital cool
Avoid using unclean toilet or public toilet
Change pads often
Avoid application of deodorant to genital part.
Treatment measures for vaginal yeast infection
As it can be deduced above that, there are different types of candida that caused yeast infection in the vagina, thus, different stroke for different foe. That is, there is individualism in the treatment of vaginal yeast infection. Therefore, seeing a doctor, i.e. gyneacologists, internists, or paediatricians will be the best way to treat vaginal yeast infection.
However, the simple treatments that can be used in treating the pandemic disease are as follows;
Using antifungal cream or tablet,
Medications such as tercanozole (terazol), miconazole (micatin) and fluconazole (diflucan).
Symptoms and treatment of virginal yeast infection in men.
The symptom is usually discomfort in urinating itching of penis, pain at penis’ tip, burning. However, the treatment is similar to women’s treatment which is use of antifungal medications. It is not necessary to treat it unless the symptoms are felt.
How to prevent contracting vaginal yeast infection from sexual partner?
It is as simple as reading ABC, just prevent yourself from sexual intercourse as you would do in order not to contract sexually transmitted diseases from sexual intercourse, although, vaginal yeast infection is not counted as STDs.