Vaginal yeast infection,
or vaginal candidiasis
, is a common term used for a
fungal infection that develops inside the vulva or
vagina. Vaginal yeast infection
is caused by one
of several types of the Candida species, which
are normally present in feminine vagina in
very small numbers. In healthy women, naturally
existent microorganisms control the growth pace
of the Candida fungus, while in an infected woman’s
body hastened multiplication occurs.

Causes of Vaginal Yeast
Infection
Wearing tight clothes
leads to an increased retention of heat as well as an
increased level of moisture in the vaginal area, which
leads to Candida infection.
Pregnancy, birth
control pills, synthetic fiber underwear, neglecting to
follow basic hygiene guidelines during vaginal sex and
using glycerine-containing lubricants can significantly
contribute to vaginal yeast infections. Some specialists
believe that candidiasis can be sexually
transmitted. It has recently been discovered that
vaginal Candida infection is associated with lack of
natural inner harmony, permanent anxiety, strenuous way
of life and unbalanced diet.
Vaginal Candida infection is
extremely common. According to research estimations,
approx 75% of all women will suffer
from candidiasis at least once during the lifetime,
whereas 50% of them will experience recurrent
infection. In most cases, vaginal yeast infection doesn’t lead
to serious health risks, yet it can cause extreme
discomfort.
The common symptoms of vaginal
candidiasis include:
1. White, thick, "cottage cheesy"
vaginal discharge with no odor;
2. Stinging or
tingling inside the vagina or in the surrounding area;
3. Burning sensation during urination;
4. Pain
during sexual intercourse;
5. Unpleasant,
“fishy” smell of the vagina.
Many women choose to ignore these symptoms, mainly
due to the intimate character of the infection mentioned
above. Widely accepted norms and conventions still tend
to discourage open discussion of sexual related issues
even in medical context, especially by women. However,
there are two substantial arguments that can explain why
the appearance of one or more symptoms mentioned above
is a sufficient reason for seeing a doctor. The first
argument states that these symptoms are associated,
alongside with vaginal candidiasis, with some sexually
transmitted diseases. The second argument is that
neglected vaginal yeast infection condition might have a
destructive influence on a woman’s self- esteem and on
her intimate life. The third and probably the most
important aspect is that vaginal candidiasis is
often a mere sign of moderate to severe Candida Albicans
infection- a serious condition that can have dire
consequences on one's health if left untreated.
Vaginal yeast infection
can be treated in both conventional and alternative
(holistic) methods. Conventional medical treatment for
vaginal Candida infection is based on taking
drugs or using topical creams. While conventional
treatments can be effective in the short run, most
conventional treatments
fail to prevent the recurrence of the
disease. In order to completely eliminate candidiasis
and prevent their recurrence, one must complement
medical treatment with natural holistic methods to fight
Candida infection and regain the natural inner
balance.