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.
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.
