What is Candida or Yeast Infection?

Yeast infections are one of the most common kinds of vaginitis. 75 percent of all women have at least one episode of fungal infection in their lives. It is a fungal infection caused by an organism called Candida albicans. This organism lives inside a woman's vagina as well as in our mouth and digestive tract. When there is too much yeast in the mouth, throat or tongue it is called thrush. The same fungi also causes diaper rash in children. Certain factors such as taking antibiotics, diabetes, and pregnancy, taking drugs such as cortisone, contraceptives, thyroid abnormality, hormonal changes or diseases that lower the immunity can cause the yeast to overgrow, resulting in vaginitis. Antibiotics kill the friendly bacteria that help in controlling the growth of yeast cells while too much sugar in the body causes the yeast cells to multiply. 

A yeast infection is typically recognized by the following symptoms:

• Itching and irritation of the vagnia and the opening of the vagina

• Thick, white and odorless discharge

• A white coating of the vagina

• Painful intercourse

Yeast infections are generally not contagious, but there is a possibility that an infected partner can stimulate yeast overgrowth in the woman. Sexual partners (whether same sex or different) may pass the infection to each other during sexual intercourse. When men get a yeast infection, their penis and surrounding area gets red and itchy. The treatment for Vaginitis includes anti fungal medicines, vaginal creams and suppositories (vaginal tablets), and even antibiotics. Yeast infections can get worse if you wear tight and wet clothing or use vaginal contraceptives, take bubble baths or use products such as sprays and deodorants.