What is yeast infection?
Yeast infections are becoming more and more common. In fact, some doctors have estimated that as many as 75% of women will have at least one yeast infection in their lifetime, and at least 50% of all women will have two or more yeast infections. Commonly called candida yeast infections, this condition is called by a fungus called the Candida albicans fungus. When a woman has a yeast infection, they may experience itching in the vaginal area, both inside and outside, a white discharge that is sometimes thick in texture, burning in the vaginal area, specifically the vaginal opening, and pain during sexual activity.
Yeats infections tend to affect women who have a poor or limited diet, sleep irregularities, illness, pregnancy, are stressed, and/or are taking antibiotics. However, some people have more yeast infections than others because it runs in the family or because one of the aforementioned symptoms runs in the family (i.e. insomnia, chronic illnesses, etc.). For example, women who have diabetes are more at risk for yeast infections and diabetes can be the result of genetics.
If a person has a yeast infection and seeks treatment as soon as possible, they have a high chance of recovery. In fact, doctors estimate that 90% of the people who sought treatment for a yeast infection recuperated within two weeks time, though many were cured in just a few days time. If a doctor suspects a person has a yeast infection, he or she will perform a pelvic examination to look for telltale signs like the aforementioned discharge and inflammation in the vaginal area. If a person has discharge, the doctor may take a sample to be analyzed for the Candida fungus.
Your doctor will do a pelvic examination to look for inflammation and a white discharge in your vagina and around the vaginal opening. Your doctor may also take a sample of the vaginal discharge for quick examination under a microscope in the office or to send to a laboratory to test for yeast organisms, such as Candida fungi.
Some people may never have another yeast infection whereas other people will have a relapse or another issue with the infection. Relapses can become less common with further treatment, though there are some people who have chronic or frequent yeast infections, especially those who have immune system diseases or issues.