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.
Triggers
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.
