When Juanita was diagnosed with strep throat, her doctor prescribed
an antibiotic to treat the infection. Juanita started to feel better
soon after she took the medication - the pain in her throat subsided
and her temperature returned to normal. But just as she was about
to go back to her busy routine, Juanita noticed an unusual discharge
in her underwear. To make things worse, her vaginal area felt very
itchy.
It turns out that Juanita had a yeast infection. She told her mom
about her symptoms, and her mom knew that Juanita should go back
to her doctor's office. There, she was relieved to find out that
diagnosing and treating a yeast infection is simple and painless.
What Is a Yeast Infection?
A yeast infection, also known as candidiasis (pronounced: can-dih-dy-uh-sis),
is the name for a common infection caused by a type of yeast-like
fungus called Candida. Small numbers of Candida are always present
in our bodies, but normally we have the right balance of bacteria
and other factors to keep them from growing too much. Sometimes,
though, these yeast-like fungi do grow too much, and this can cause
an infection. These infections usually occur in warm, moist parts
of the body, such as the mouth and moist areas of skin. When they
cause an infection in the vagina, it is known as vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Candida can overgrow for many reasons. Stress, pregnancy, and illnesses
that affect your immune system may allow yeast to multiply, as can
certain medicines. These include some birth control pills and steroids.
Or if you're taking antibiotics, such as for strep throat, the antibiotics
can kill "good" bacteria that also live in the body and
normally keep the growth of Candida in the vagina in check. Yeast
also flourish if a girl's blood sugar is high. Girls who have diabetes
that isn't controlled are at a higher risk for yeast infections.
Many girls find that yeast infections tend to show up right before
they get their periods because of the hormonal changes that come
with the menstrual cycle. Clothes (especially underwear) that are
too tight or are made of materials like nylon that trap heat and
moisture might lead to yeast infections because yeast can thrive
in this type of environment. And douching and using scented sanitary
products can upset the balance in the vagina and make yeast infections
more likely.
It's common for girls who are not sexually active to get yeast infections.
Although yeast infections are not considered sexually transmitted
diseases, they can occasionally be spread from one sexual partner
to the other. This is quite rare, however, and the partner of someone
who has a yeast infection does not automatically have to be treated.
Do I Have a Yeast Infection?
Common signs and symptoms of yeast infections include:
- itching and irritation in the vagina
- redness, swelling, or itching of the vulva (the folds of skin
outside the vagina)
- a thick, white discharge that can look like cottage cheese and
is usually odorless,
- although it might smell like bread or yeast
- pain or burning when urinating or during sex
If you have any of these symptoms,it's important to see your doctor
or gynecologist. It's easy to confuse the symptoms of a yeast infection
with those of some sexually transmitted diseases and other vaginal
infections. Your doctor can give you the right diagnosis.
Do Guys Get Yeast Infections?
Obviously, guys don't get vaginal yeast infections. But balanitis
(pronounced: bal-uh-ny-tis), an infection in the head of the penis,
can be caused by the same Candida that causes infections in girls.
Just as in girls, guys who have diabetes are more prone to this
infection. A guy who gets balanitis may not have any symptoms or
the tip of the penis may become red and sore or itchy. Some guys
might have a slight discharge as well.
Guys who are not circumcised need to take extra care to clean properly
beneath their foreskins. The warm, moist folds of the foreskin are
the perfect environment for yeast infections to thrive. Keeping
the area clean and dry may help prevent an infection, but if symptoms
do show up, a trip to the doctor will solve the problem.
How Can I Prevent a Yeast Infection?
What you wear - or don't wear - can help you avoid a yeast infection.
Yeast grows best in a warm, moist environment: think wet bathing
suits, tight jeans, and stretchy exercise gear. Nylon underwear,
pantyhose, and other synthetic materials that trap moisture make
yeast infections more likely.
Some girls may react to certain dyes or perfumes in soaps, bath
gels or lotions, sanitary products, and laundry detergents. When
the reaction causes irritation, that can set the stage for a yeast
infection. Your best bet is to steer clear of perfumed products
and to use mild and fragrance-free products when possible.
To help keep your vagina clean and dry, try switching to all-cotton
underwear and make sure you carefully dry off after you shower.
If you can, wear cotton underwear to bed or don't wear any, and
always wash and thoroughly dry your underwear before wearing them.
Don't lounge around in a wet bathing suit after a swim in the pool
and avoid jeans or pantyhose that are too tight.
Only take antibiotics when and how they're prescribed by a doctor.
And if you have diabetes, make sure you keep your blood sugar level
under control.
Do I Need to See a Doctor?
Treating a yeast infection is simple, but it's important to visit
your doctor for the right diagnosis. Your doctor might take a urine
sample - to rule out a urinary tract infection, which can cause
similar symptoms - and some discharge from your vagina to examine
under a microscope.
If you do have a yeast infection, your doctor will probably prescribe
a vaginal cream, pill, or suppository to cure it. When you get home,
follow all the directions on the package carefully. A suppository
will come with an applicator to help you place the medicine inside
your vagina, where it can begin to work. All of these types of medication
can clear up your symptoms in a couple of days and cure the infection
within a week. It's important that you take the medicine for the
whole time that your doctor prescribes. If you stop taking it too
soon, the infection could come back.
The doctor may also prescribe a cream you can apply around the vagina
to relieve itching. Some of these creams are available without a
prescription in your local drugstore, but you shouldn't just buy
a cream if you think you have a yeast infection. It's important
to see a doctor for your diagnosis, because if you actually have
another type of infection the problem could get worse if it is not
properly treated. Also, over-the-counter medicine should not be
used by anyone who is under 12 or pregnant.
Yeast infections can be annoying, especially if they happen regularly.
To help avoid them, follow your doctor's advice, and on your next
trip to the mall stock up on cotton underwear (they don't have to
be boring!) and buy some jeans with a loose fit. Your body will
thank you.
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