How to Properly Identify a Yeast Infection

According to some studies, it is estimated that 25% to 50% of women have in their bodies the microorganisms that can cause a yeast infection, but due to the presence of other bacteria, the amount of Candida in specific areas remains tolerable to your body unless the balance of these microorganisms becomes disrupted.

You can easily confirm that you have a yeast infection by making an appointment with your doctor or taking an at home yeast infection test from your local pharmacy. If you decide to visit your doctor, they will take a vaginal discharge sample. Over the counter yeast infection tests are similar to home pregnancy tests as they work by testing your body's pH.

Yeast infections are irritating, but taking improper medication can alter your vagina's normal pH, which can cause a yeast infection if you do not currently have one so confirm that you actually have a yeast infection before treating for one as you may cause more harm than good if you treat a condition that you do not even have.
Women who observe particular symptoms in their vagina may think that they have a yeast infection, but there are different types of infections that have similar symptoms such as bacterial vaginosis, Chlamydia and gonorrhea.

There are three common signs of a yeast infection and they are:

Discomfort
The most obvious symptom of a yeast infection is an intense burning or itching sensation discomfort in the affected area. Painful urination is caused by the irritation of the vagina and sexual intercourse may become painful.

Discharge
Some yeast infections develop an unsightly white clump of material that resembles curdled milk along with redness and soreness, but a vaginal discharge may or may not occur as only around 20% of women with a yeast infection report the presence of a discharge, which can be clear to whitish or slightly yellowish in color.

Odor
Odor is a common way to confirm a yeast infection, if you have a discharge, it may or may not be accompanied by a starchy odor that smells like bread or beer, which both use yeast as a yeast infection is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans, a form of yeast.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you probably do have a yeast infection.

How to Prevent a Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are a result of increased growth of the fungi Candida that is present in all of us. Having Candida fungus is usually not a problem until your body's control over its proliferation fails, usually because you are unknowingly helping the Candida to mulitply. Avoid contact with moist environments as the fungus grows best in warm, moist environments, avoid spending too much time in wet clothing such as bathing suits, tight fitting pants, leotards and spandex as these prevent air flow.

Try to avoid nylon underwear and pantyhose, stick to cotton as it allows breathing space.

Keep you vaginal area clean and dry after you take a bath or a shower to prevent the unnecessary growth of the Candida fungus. Don't use colored or perfumed deodorant napkins, perfumed tampons, or other feminine hygiene products.

Avoid antibiotics as these will upset the balance of microorganisms in your body which will promote the growth of the Candida fungus and eat yogurt as it helps restore the proper balance of microorganisms.

Avoid high carbohydrate foods as they serve as a food source for the yeast to grow, choose fresh vegetables and fruits and eat them seperately from your cooked food as combining them will allow them to ferment in your stomach, which will allow for the growth of additional bacteria.

Why Yeast Infections Are More Common in Women

Men can get yeast infections, but several factors in women increase their risk of becoming infected. Women have a greater risk of yeast infection due to their estrogen levels. In addition yeast infections can be caused by detergents, fabric softeners, feminine and hygiene sprays, and contraceptives like foams or jellies. If you are undergoing menopause, the estrogen levels drop which results in a thinning of the vaginal wall which makes it more susceptible infection. Vaginal itching can also result in a decrease in the membrane of the outer wall of the vagina which can also increase odds of infection. The dark, moist environment of a vagina also promotes the growth of yeast bacteria.

Basically yeast infections are more common in women because men do not have high amounts of estrogen, use foams or jellies or over itch or irritate their vagina, making them less likely to become infected.

Pregnancy And Yeast Infection

Fifteen percent of all pregnant women will experience yeast infection during their pregnancy. Women who are pregnant get infected by yeast due to several reasons.

Yeast infection is also referred to as monilial vaginitis or vaginal candidiasis. The fungi Candida, more specifically, the fungus Candida albicans causes for most part the infection in a women’s vaginal area. Candida is already present in a woman’s body, so it occurs naturally and should not be a cause for alarm.

The food you eat, your personal hygiene and the lifestyle you live can affect the growth of the fungus. If you eat too much sugar and carbohydrates, the fungus has a better chance of surviving and growing, which causes the full development of  the yeast infection, so avoid high sugar levels in the blood as it acts like fertilizer.

For pregnant women, the usual cause of infection would be the changing estrogen levels during pregnancy. As the estrogen level goes high during the months of being pregnant, the body also produces high levels of glycogen which makes your vagina more susceptible to yeast growth.

The most important thing, and I am sure mothers are itching to know, is that yeast infection does not have any negative effects on the baby inside the womb and the yeast infection will not affect the development of the baby.

Oral Yeast Infection

Yeast infection of the mouth is called oral thrush and it is an infection in the mucous membranes. Oral thrush can be caused by fungus, bacteria or by disease. The most common cause of the mouth infection is the fungus Candida albicans. The yeast infection in the mouth of babies is commonly called thrush while those that occurred in the mouth and throat of adults are referred to as candidiasis or morniliasis.

Candida which is also known as Monilia (hence morniliasis) is a naturally occurring fungi that looks like yeast. It is normal to find Candida in small amounts in the digestive track as well as in the vaginal tracks of women. The infection begins when the Candida which should normally be in just small quantities start growing rapidly, which allows the fungi to infect the mouth and throat.

Taking antibiotics or drug treatments like chemotherapy can make your body more susceptible to yeast infections. These drugs make the environment more favorable for Candida growth by reducing the other microorganism that keep the yeast in place, which allows the overgrowth of the Candida fungi.

Diabetes, malnutrition, drug abuse and a compromised immune system can also induce changes which make Candida growth more favorable.

People with dentures that don’t fit properly are more likely to develop yeast infection in the mouth that those with perfectly fitted dentures. Dentures that don’t fit well might damage the mucous membranes in the mouth and these damaged areas serve as an opening for the Candida fungi.

Oral yeast infections can have white to cream colored discharges. Yellow spots in the mouth are a good indication that yeast has begun infecting the mucous membranes of the mouth. These infections can be unbearable to adults since oral yeast infections come with burning sensations in the mouth and throat.

When you treat the the infection, the underlying cause of the problem needs to be addressed. If dentures appear to be the cause, then replacing them would be the first step. A compromised immune system, however, might be a little tricky, so ask your doctor..

When you visit your doctor, you will be directed to take antifungal drugs to help eliminate the fungi from your mouth and throat. Usually antifungal drugs used for treating oral yeast infections come in the form of pastilles. By sucking on the pastilles, the antifungal medicine acts on the infection directly.  

Hydrogen Peroxide for Treating Yeast Infection

Using hydrogen peroxide for yeast infection treatments is actually very effective. Vaginal yeast infection are among the more common conditions that women experience. Statistics say that around 75% of all women will be affected by a yeast infection during their lifetime. You are not the only one who has a yeast infection.

Just like Candida albicans hydrogen peroxide is already present in the vaginal areas and it is trying its hardest to stop your yeast infection. Hydrogen peroxide helps eliminate bacteria and fungal infections and it is a natural enemy of Candida.

Our bodies only produce a small amount of hydrogen peroxide, but you can add to this amount by purchasing additional hydrogen peroxide at your local pharmacy. Mix a teaspoon of ordinary 3% hydrogen peroxide to a cup of water and apply it on the affected areas. Because hydrogen peroxide is produced naturally by the body, the chemical will not harm your vagina or the general health of your body.

Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen upon application and the oxygen helps the kill the fungal yeast infection. Be careful when creating your own mix of hydrogen peroxide treatment solution as too much hydrogen peroxide in the solution can cause a burning sensation in the affected areas.

Hydrogen peroxide and water is not meant to be the only treatment solution for your yeast infection. Natural remedies like this one is more effective when combined with other forms of treatment like proper diet and the use of other treatment techniques like the use of garlic paste, yogurt, and cider vinegar and water mix.

Other times, the condition might have reached an already critical stage that hydrogen peroxide for yeast infection treatment is no longer advisable. You should consult a doctor and combine treatment methods to cure your yeast infection.