Yeast infections affect over 75% of women in the course of their lifetimes. Yeast infections are caused by Candida albicans – a common fungus that lives in and on the body and is usually harmless.
Candida albicans causes problems when it multiplies out of control, resulting in itching, irritation, foul-smelling discharge and pain during sex or urination.
Yeast infections (aka thrush) can affect your vagina, mouth, throat (oral thrush), under breasts, armpits and rectum. Yeast flourishes in areas that are moist, dark and warm.
Women are more affected by yeast infections than males. People with HIV/AIDS are more prone to oral thrush and genital yeast infections.
Thrush (oral or genital) is not a sexually transmitted disease. Children and adult virgins are diagnosed with yeast infections.
Some women experience one episode of thrush in their lifetimes, while others grapple with symptoms three or four times a year.
For most women, vaginal yeast infections can be successfully treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Why does vaginal thrush keep coming back after successful treatment?
Women who experience recurring yeast infections may need to change their lifestyles permanently.
The following are 10 reasons why yeast infections keep recurring.
1. Pregnancy
2. Breastfeeding
3. Birth control pills
4. Diabetes
5. Weak immune system (HIV/AIDS, lupus, etc.)
6. Taking antibiotics
7. Using irritating feminine products
8. Wearing tight clothes (males and females)
9. Stress and anxiety
10. Consuming too much sugar in diet
What is the Treatment for Vaginal Thrush?
Over the counter (OTC) anti-fungal creams are effective in treating vaginal yeast infections. Miconazole (Monistat 7) is a vaginal cream that is used for 7 days. There is also a more concentrated cream, Monistat 3, that is used over the course of 3 days to treat vaginal yeast infection.
You should stop using OTC creams and consult your doctor if you experience side effects such as skin irritation, redness, soreness or swelling.
If over the counter medications don’t resolve your infection, your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream for a few days or anti-fungal pills if the creams don’t work
What is the Treatment for Oral Thrush?
There are no OTC medications to treat oral thrush (yeast infection in your mouth or throat).
Oral thrush is a serious infection that usually occurs when you are immune deficient and your immune deficiency is caused by a severe infection somewhere in your body (HIV/AIDS, Lupus, etc.)
Your doctor will prescribe a one-time dose of fluconazole (Diflucan) to treat oral thrush. This medication kills fungus and yeast throughout your body.
Some full-blown AIDS patients may need to be hospitalized to treat persistent oral thrush.
One final note about yeast infections and lesbians
When discussing your vaginal thrush symptoms with a male doctor, it is best to inform him that you are a lesbian who is not sexually active with males.
This conversation is sometimes necessary because some male doctors are biased and automatically assume you are sexually promiscuous and your symptoms are caused by a sexually transmitted disease.
It is easy for a simple yeast infection to be misdiagnosed by biased male doctors who may order unnecessary STD tests and prescribe the wrong medications.
This has been your Medical Minute.
More Info On the Web
What Causes Thrush? | Women’s Health
How To Treat Yeast Infection During Pregnancy | Smart Parenting
What to know about probiotics for vaginal health | Medical News Today
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Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following information found on this blog.
